I wondered if the special boxes were goign to be phased out now the blisters are coming online in greater numbers. One recent Santa blister contained the same figures as the recent santa special.
Most of the shops I can get to that stock Playmobil have been droppping the Specials from their shelves, though they haven't added the blisters yet in replacement.
As I generally toss the boxes away after opening I'm not that bothered. I understand that blisters display the product better, and if they sell more Playmobil, I'm all for it. I hope it doesn't spell the end of single figure sets though, those specials have been great for building armies.