Oct 20-212026 · USA
We’re there Oct 20 and 21
PACK EXPO International
McCormick Place, Chicago · show runs Oct 18-21
Glossary
The terms, defined.
Short definitions you can quote. More terms added each week.
- Channel diversion
- Selling products through a channel, region or customer the brand did not authorize, usually below the intended price.
- Gray market
- Trade in genuine goods outside the brand’s authorized distribution.
- MAP (minimum advertised price)
- The lowest price at which a brand allows resellers to advertise a product.
- Physical unclonable function (PUF)
- A physical feature with randomness that cannot be reproduced, used as a fingerprint.
- Physical-digital binding
- A reliable link between one physical item and its record in a digital system.
- Serialization
- Giving each unit a unique printed number or code. It identifies a record but does not prove the item is genuine.
- Super stockist
- In Indian distribution, a large intermediary that supplies distributors across a region.
- Edge inference
- Running an AI model on a small computer next to the production line instead of in the cloud.
Statistics
The scale of the problem.
What counterfeits, diversion and inventory distortion cost every year.
$1.7TAnnual cost of inventory distortion
$900BAnnual cost of counterfeits and diversion
$500BOf that, counterfeits
$400BOf that, diversion and gray market
Events
Meet us in person.
The packaging and label shows on our calendar across the US, India, Europe, Mexico and Brazil. Want to meet at one? Book 30 minutes with the team.
Book a meetingOct 29-Nov 12026 · India
LOUPE India
Formerly Labelexpo India · India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida
Jan 30-Feb 32027 · India
PRINTPACK India
India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida
Feb 16-182027 · USA
MAGIC Las Vegas
Las Vegas Convention Center
Apr 12-142027 · USA
PACK EXPO Southeast
Atlanta, Georgia
Jun 8-102027 · Mexico
EXPO PACK Guadalajara
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Jun 22-252027 · Brazil
FISPAL Tecnologia
São Paulo Expo, São Paulo
Jul 22-242027 · India
PackPlus
Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Sep 21-232027 · Europe
FACHPACK
Exhibition Centre Nuremberg, Germany
Sep 22-232027 · USA
White & Private Label Expo New York
Javits Center, New York
Sep 27-292027 · USA
PACK EXPO Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Oct 5-82027 · Europe
LOUPE Europe
Formerly Labelexpo Europe · Fira Barcelona Gran Via, Spain
Dates TBA2027 · Brazil
Flexo & Labels and Flexo & Pack
Distrito Anhembi, São Paulo · 2026 edition ran in late May
Mar 21-232028 · USA
PACK EXPO East
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jun 6-92028 · Mexico
EXPO PACK México
Mexico City
No shows on the calendar right now. Follow us on LinkedIn for the next one.
FAQ
General questions
What is channel diversion?
Channel diversion is when products intended for one market, region or channel are sold in another without the brand's authorization, usually at a lower price. It is also called gray market selling.
What is the difference between a counterfeit and a gray market product?
A counterfeit is a fake made by someone other than the brand. A gray market product is genuine but sold through an unauthorized channel or region.
What is a physical unclonable function (PUF)?
A PUF is a physical feature with randomness that cannot be reproduced, even by its maker. Idanta uses the paper fibers and ink bleed in a printed label as a PUF.
Why can't QR codes alone stop counterfeits?
A QR code is information printed on a pack. Anyone can photograph it and print it again, and the copy scans the same. A code proves that a serial exists, not that the pack holding it is genuine.
Follow IdantaField notes on diversion, counterfeits and unit-level identity.