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Seasonal craft beers are a bright spot in the otherwise flat beer category. While the in-and-out nature of a category based on limited-time, limited-edition brews can pose a merchandising and [...]

Rx-to-OTC switched products still dominate the cough-cold and allergy categories. A recent report on the category from Mintel International revealed that recent Rx-to-OTC switches in the allergy category did not [...]

In the baby care category, everything is coming up green. 'The trend across all juvenile products is organic, natural, simple,' said Amy Chezem, a spokeswoman for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers [...]

Growth in the cereal category continues to come from products boasting what market research company Mintel calls health halos. 'Cholesterol reduction, heart health and intestinal health drive the adult cereal [...]

Consumers have been asking a lot from their food products. They want freshness and healthful options. They are starting to look for foods that offer them specific health benefits. They [...]

Retailers know that seasonal sales are crucial to the candy category. Seasonal candy--especially non-chocolate novelties--have had strong sales this past year, and industry experts say the trend will continue. 'Seasonal-themed [...]

Flavored and enhanced products continue to boost bottled water sales, but to keep the category profitable, retailers will need to stay focused on changing consumer habits. Sales of bottled water [...]

Special needs foods are moving into the mainstream. 'These are really hot areas,' said Melissa Abbott, senior trendspotter and analyst for The Hartman Group. 'They used to be reserved for [...]

Wouldn't it be great to have a crystal ball to help us predict what will drive growth in the candy aisles in 2008? While nothing can be certain, a few [...]

The article offers information about the key trends that retailers need to emphasize the sweet treat categories in the U.S. It mentions the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the sweet treat categories, along with discusses that food has been a way for consumers to bring entertainment into the home.

Food retailers will be watching closely as Tesco, the U.K.-based supermarket retailer, crosses the pond in November with a new convenience format called Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market. The first [...]

Americans have an insatiable appetite for global cuisine. For some time retailers have watched sales of foods with a 'south of the border' heritage take off. Information Resources Inc. estimates [...]

Coca-Cola's recent purchase of Glaceau for $4.1 billion is big news. The move sends a clear signal that growth in the beverage category isn't likely to come from traditional carbonated [...]

In an effort to help consumers make healthy food choices, Kraft recently expanded its Healthy Living initiative to include a new program, Kraft Sensible Solution, a front-package labeling system designed [...]

The article focuses on milk and juice, discussing how these traditional beverages are making a comeback with new offerings that highlight their health benefits. Despite the challenges they have faced from health-conscious consumers seeking alternatives, both milk and juice are introducing innovative claims, such as added protein and lower calorie options, to cater to evolving consumer preferences.

When it comes to grocery products, consumers want it all. It's not enough for food products to offer convenience, a survey of the latest New Product Pacesetters from Information Resources [...]

For many small manufacturers, the road to national--or even regional distribution can be daunting. Will the product find its niche? Will retailers be interested? Many companies turn to brokers for [...]

As drug chains expand their consumables aisles, many are considering how their mix appeals to the growing Hispanic market. The Latino market, which has been growing at a rate four [...]

It was back to basics this year for the back-to-school crowd, as rising gas prices have caused parents to cut spending this school season. 'We are seeing a back-to-basics trend,' [...]

The article explores customers views on how salty snacks proved essential during Covid-19 lockdown, poised for industrial growth post-pandemic. Topics include portability a driver for increased consumption, brands that offer packaging or are forging connections with on-the-go opportunities will be brands to watch; and new and limited-edition flavors and impactful seasonal displays that create dependable lifts in sales.

Who says you can't be everything to everybody? John McConnell, chief financial officer and vice president of Discount Drug Mart, believes his stores' expanded assortment and focus on customer service [...]

Back-to-school was a bright spot in the retail landscape for drug retailers this fall. Industry-wide, the back-to-school category was expected to grow 3 percent to 4 percent in 2003, according [...]

A walk down the aisles of any chain drug store these days reveals how the channel is adapting its mix to meet the changing needs of consumers. Expanded grocery departments [...]

The holiday season is the battery category's best friend. A shift in the consumer electronics industry to built-in rechargeable batteries and the growth of do-it-all smartphones that replace many battery-operated [...]

It's a new era for carbonated beverages. Sales have been falling for a decade as consumers have shifted away from traditional sodas sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup and are avoiding [...]

Manufacturers of As Seen on TV merchandise are reshaping the category by focusing on extending the lives of their products and investing in long-term brand building. 'We're concentrating on branding [...]

Growth of ready-to-drink tea may have slowed, but industry experts say the segment still has room to grow as consumers increasingly turn to tea as a healthy alternative. Future growth [...]

The drug channel could be losing its edge in seasonal sales. GMDC's recently released 'Seasonal Best Practices' report revealed that, according to Nielsen data for the 52 weeks ended Oct. [...]

The growing senior market is fueling the sale of hearing-aid batteries and specialty batteries for health and fitness devices. For the 8 million active hearing-aid wearers, batteries are a must [...]

Retailers have been sweet on the chocolate category, but non-chocolate sales also have been strong. The National Confectioners Association forecasts that while chocolate sales were ahead 4% last year, with [...]

Healthy snacks had tremendous growth in 2013. Consumers consistently show a willingness to choose healthier options in the snack aisle, and retailers have responded by including even more healthy options [...]

Where would the candy category be without seasonal merchandise? Seasonal candy sales are a driving force in the category, with seasonal period sales accounting for 55% of the confectionary pie, [...]

Despite declining sales, three category trends--sparkling water, natural sodas and low-calorie sodas--are keeping some fizz in carbonated soft drinks. Mintel's research shows that American consumption of carbonated soft drinks fell [...]

Mintel projects the pet products category will grow an average of 3.8% over the next five years to nearly $13.7 billion by 2017. While the category has remained solid, the [...]

With Procter & Gamble's Olay cosmetics line being phased out from stores and retailers giving Neutrogen's line mixed reviews, space is opening up in the cosmetics aisle. Retailers looking to [...]

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- If Crystal Wright has anything to say about it, Americans soon will have a greater appreciation for the role their pharmacists play m the overall health care [...]

The country's major beverage suppliers have spoken, and the winning chain in Beverage Aisle's Annual Excellence in Beverage Retailing program has finally been selected. And among all the chains honored [...]

The article highlights how retailers can capitalize on the increased consumer interest in buying housewares during the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics covered include the strong growth of cookware and bakeware during the pandemic, the addition by retailers of more-high impulse products to their stores, and time- and money saving houseware items that are showing great opportunities.

The article offers suggestions on several anytime snacks including Smithfield Power Bites; Nellie's Egg Bites; Stemilt Growers' Lil Snappers; and Bliss Bentos Snacks.

Consumers never tire of candy. Euromonitor data indicates that U.S. dollar sales for chocolate increased 19% between 2007 and 2012, and non-chocolate sales were up 17%. Euromonitor and the National [...]

'Tis the season for toy and electronics gifts. It's no coincidence that it's also the biggest time of the year for battery sales. Ramping up displays can help retailers optimize [...]

Higher-end products are where the beer category is headed. 'We're seeing a lot of high-end segments continuing to steer the ship,' said Dan Wandel, SVP at IRI. 'We're seeing higher-priced [...]

Consumers are spending when it comes to pet care and grooming. 'Overall, the humanization of pets is driving both the grooming and dental categories,' said Brian Collier, a spokesman for [...]

A proliferation of high-drain electronics and healthcare devices are keeping consumers in need of more battery power. Recent category introductions have focused on providing consumers with such longer-lasting options as [...]

Products that focus on convenience are winning big in the pet category. 'Boomers are still driving so much of the category,' said Bob Vetere, president of the American Pet Products [...]

'Toy dollar sales are up 4% in the drug store channel,' said David Luth, principal at Radian Group, a market research firm. 'The chains that do the best in this [...]

The pervasiveness of Facebook and Twitter has not killed the greeting card and gift wrap category. 'Managers are telling us that the category continues to hold its own and, in [...]

Natural and organic snacks are no longer on the periphery. The products have moved front and center as consumers look for healthier, more satiating options when they snack. 'Consumers, particularly [...]

The future of the beverage category is in low- and no-calorie drinks. Consumers have been forsaking traditional sugary beverages in favor of healthier alternatives. Statistics from the American Beverage Association [...]