NEWS BREAKS

Digital Coupons Impact New Product Awareness, Brand Recall

Running ads prior to a product launch helps familiarize consumers with new merchandise, especially for value-minded shoppers. New research released Thursday shows how digital coupons during a new product’s release increases awareness.

Candy firms need to consider a fifth season for ‘concerning’ 2013, warns NCA

Candy firms must consider a fifth season and hit Halloween hard for 2013 as the year is set to harbor challenging volumes due to shorter holidays, the National Confectioners Association has warned.

Nestle launches holiday confections in US

Nestlé USA has launched a range of holiday confections under brands Wonka SweeTarts, Nerds, Lik-M-Aid Fun Dip, Butterfinger, and Nestlé Crunch.

Sour flavors, popcorn on 2013 trends list

Sour candies, local artisan chocolates and confections, healthy foods that actually taste good, and popcorn are among the next big trends in the food industry — at least according to the 2013 Top Ten Food Trends list released by Sterling-Rice Group (SRG), a brand strategy firm.

Halloween brings sweet bit of business to candy companies

Halloween candy sales are expected to be higher this year than any time in the past decade, a treat for an industry seeing 1 to 3 percent annual growth.

Survey: Consumers saving up for the holidays

Consumers are planning ahead for the holidays, with 51% saying they have set aside the cash needed to complete their shopping lists, according to Accenture’s annual consumer holiday shopping study.

Where does the Mars V.P. see for the future of chocolate?

As the vice president of trade relations for Mars Chocolate North America, Tim Quinn has unique insight into the latest chocolate trends. Here, he shares his thoughts on “King Size,” cocoa sustainability, and some of the products Mars will introduce in 2013.

Got hypertension? Take Vitamin C supplements!

Taking high doses of vitamin C supplements helps lower blood pressure, according to a recent analysis of clinical trials published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Americans buying more Halloween candy

More Americans are expected to spend more money on Halloween candy this year, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation.

Holiday sales to grow as much as 4%

Deloitte is forecasting holiday sales will increase between 3.5% and 4% as the economy’s health and the presidential election take center stage among consumers this fall.

Johnson & Johnson 2013 FSI Calendar

Johnson & Johnson 2013 FSI Calendar and supply landscape expectations.

Helping shoppers navigate nail and beauty trends

What are some of the hottest trends in nail and beauty? What do beauty mavens need the most help with when shopping the store?

Back-To-School Spending To Rise

Washington, DC — Families with children in grades K-12 are expecting to spend $688.62 this year, compared with $603.63 in 2011, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF)’s 2012 Back-to-School survey.

Digital Coupon Use Grows

More than 55.7 million Americans use online coupons, compared to 49 million in 2010, representing 25 percent of the U.S. population, according to Coupons.com

Enhancing Front-of-Store Profitability with HBC: A Snapshot of the Supply Chain

A two-page research highlight of four areas of opportunity at the front-of-store for manufacturer and distributor trading partners: communications, SKU rationalization, marketing support and new item launches. (2007) (PDF: 498K)

Health, Beauty & Wellness: Opportunities to Enhance Independent Pharmacy Services

This research identifies actions manufacturers and distributors can take to enhance business operations and improve profitability through innovative front-of-store sales and marketing efforts. (2008) (PDF: 841K)

Supply Chain Collaboration: Maximizing Health, Beauty and Wellness

Supply Chain Collaboration: Maximizing Health, Beauty and Wellness Product Sales in Independent Pharmacy, a white paper that identifies several HBW categories that have increased in sales within independent pharmacy and outpaced the food, drug and mass channels. Authored by Hamacher Resource Group in partnership with HDMA and CHPA. (PDF: 765K)

Consumers Going Traditional for Mother’s Day 2012

“Tradition” is the watchword when it comes to gift-giving for Mom this year, as nine of 10 consumers plan to celebrate Mother’s Day, with total spending estimated to reach nearly $17.2 billion, according to the annual Brand Keys Mother’s Day survey.

Front of the store gets stronger
Chain Drug Review
April 23, 2012

CHICAGO – Whatever drug chains have been doing to spur front-end sales, it’s working.

In 2011 the drug channel led supermarkets and the overall food/drug/mass/convenience store channel (including Wal-Mart) in dollar and unit sales growth for consumer packaged goods (CPG), according to SymphonyIRI Group Inc.’s “CPG 2011 Year in Review” report, released in mid-March.

The drug store trade class posted year-over-year gains of 4.1% in CPG dollar sales and 2.2% in unit sales for the 52 weeks ended December 25, noted SympohnyIRI. Supermarkets saw a 2.5% uptick in CPG dollar sales but a 4.1% decline in unit sales, while the total food/drug/mass/convenience channel posted a 2.3% increase in CPG dollar sales and a 0.6% dip in unit volume.

“The drug channel has benefited from a number of economic and environmental factors during the past year,” SymphonyIRI stated in the report. “For instance, trip mission patterns have evolved during the course of the economic downturn. Today’s budget-strapped shoppers are making fewer pantry stock-up trips, instead favoring more frequent quick trips with lower basket rings that make cash flow swings less volatile. The geographic proximity of drug outlets, combined with a strong reputation for convenience, is serving drug stores well vis-à-vis these trip mission trends.”

Moreover, drug channel assortment has been changing in the past couple of years, according to the market researcher. “Private label assortment is being expanded and hones, and food and beverage selection has grown significantly.”

New retail concepts also are playing a role. “Retailers in the drug channel will accelerate their format evolution process,” SymphonyIRI noted, citing Walgreen Co.’s plans to convert at least 500 stores into “food oases,” which devote as much 35% to 40% more space to food and beverages.

As drug stores’ CPG sales have risen, so has their market share. The sector accounted for 5.8% of CPG dollar sales in 2011, up 0.4% from 2010 – the biggest share gain among the retail channels.

Last year CPG dollar share gre 0.2% for warehouse clubs (up 10%) and rose 0.1% for both dollar stores (1.8%) and convenience stores (9.8%). CPG dollar share fell 0.2% for both supermarkets (48.5%) and mass merchandise stores (5.7%). Also seeing CPG dollar share declines were supercenters, down 0.4% to 18.4%, and Wal-Mart, down 0.8% to 19.4%.

By department unit sales in 2011, the drug trade class had the strongest growth – and outperformed the total retail channel – in the frozen (4.3%), fresh/perishable (3.6%), center store (3.3%) and beauty/personal care (2.5%) categories. “Center store, fresh/perishable and frozen departments are seeing unit sales grow at a pace that is well above the industry average, albeit that growth is occurring on a relatively small base,” the SymphonyIRI report noted. “But some drug retailers are intently focused on expanding their presence across food and beverage categories, so growth may continue to be quite strong.”

Drug stores kept pace with the industry average of 1% unit sales growth in health care CPG last year, yet saw general merchandise unit sales drop 9.6%, compared with a 4.8% decrease for overall retail channel.

“To maintain its reputation as a health care destination, it is critical that the drug channel continues to hone its marketing game, because competing channels are certainly focused on strengthening theirs,” SymponyIRI observed.

Gerber voluntarily withdraws a Specific Batch of Gerber Good Start Infant Formula and Offers Replacement Productions to Consumers

Gerber Products Company is proactively retrieving and offering a replacement to consumers who purchased Gerber® Good Start® Gentle powdered infant formula 23.2 ounce plastic package from batch GXP1684 expiration date of March 5, 2013. The product poses no health or safety risk.

Valentine Traffic, Transactions Surge

Retailers saw increases in traffic and average rings this Valentine’s Day, and chocolate was among the most popular items purchased, accounting for half of all seasonal item sales, according to in-store analyst firm RetailNext.

Many shoppers have indicated that on Valentine’s Day, family comes first.

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — This Valentine’s Day, many shoppers are sticking to a budget when shopping for a loved one, according to PriceGrabber®, a part of Experian. Results from PriceGrabber’s Valentine’s Day shopping survey reveal that 68 percent of consumers who indicated that they plan to celebrate the holiday will spend less than $100 on gifts, with most planning to spend between $25 and $50 total. Conducted from Jan. 11 to Jan. 25, 2012, the survey includes responses from 793 U.S. online shopping consumers.
Budgets will stay on par with 2011

When consumers who plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day were asked about their spending habits compared with last year, 56 percent indicated that they plan to spend the same amount as in 2011. Twenty percent will spend more, another 20 percent will spend less, and 4 percent will not purchase a gift this year. According to PriceGrabber’s survey, the economic climate continues to be a relevant factor in shoppers’ mindsets, with 56 percent indicating that the economy will have an effect on their Valentine’s Day purchasing decisions in 2012.

“PriceGrabber anticipates that shoppers will spend about the same amount on Valentine’s Day this year as they did in 2011,” commented Graham Jones, general manager of PriceGrabber. “Valentine’s Day is a very consistent holiday that presents an opportunity for consumers to show affection for a loved one on a more reasonably priced scale than during the holiday season, and we expect shoppers to take full advantage of discounts that will be available online, in brick-and-mortar stores and via a mobile device.”

Many shoppers will purchase greeting cards and celebrate with an evening out
This year, many shoppers have indicated that on Valentine’s Day, family comes first. When consumers who plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day were asked on whom they plan to spend money, 68 percent said they will spend on a husband or wife. Thirty-six percent will spend money on a brother, sister or child; 17 percent will spend on a boyfriend or girlfriend; 9 percent will purchase a gift for a friend; 6 percent will spend money on a pet; and 2 percent will spend on coworkers.
When consumers were asked to select all of the things they plan to purchase for Valentine’s Day, greeting cards were most popular, with 35 percent indicating that they would purchase a greeting card for a loved one. This was followed by 32 percent of shoppers who will spend money on an evening out; 19 percent who will purchase candy; 17 percent who will buy flowers; 13 percent who will buy themed gifts, such as stuffed animals or a heart-shaped present; 11 percent who will buy clothing; 9 percent who will purchase jewelry; and 7 percent who will purchase electronics.

FDA Warns Pharmacies to Stop Pushing Needle-Free Flu Vaccine

For this year’s flu season, many pharmacies are for the first time offering painless, needle-free shots to ward off the disease. But there’s one big problem: The FDA says they may not work.

Americans not spooked by the economy for Halloween

(Reuters) – A stalled economy hasn’t spooked Americans out of enjoying Halloween. Nearly three-quarters of U.S. consumers plan to celebrate, but will spend less this year on costumes and candy.

Five Ways to Gear Up Your Marketing for the Holiday Shopping Season

For many small businesses, the holiday season is an opportunity to bring in significant sales and revenues. But many businesses don’t start preparing for holiday season marketing until it’s too late, and they end up missing out on opportunities.

Consumers Plan to Spend the Same or Less This Holiday Shopping Season Compared With 2010

With fall schedules now back in full swing, shoppers all over the country are gearing up for the holiday shopping season, which begins in just a few weeks. PriceGrabber®, a part of Experian®, just released the results of its first winter holiday shopping survey, revealing that 45 percent of consumers intend to spend less money during the 2011 winter holiday shopping season than they did in 2010.

Halloween forecast is frighteningly good

So much for the weak economy. A record number of people, 161 million to be precise, are expected to celebrate Halloween this year, according to the National Retail Federations annual survey.

Survey: Halloween sales to be more treat than trick

Halloween will be a popular holiday this year, according to the National Retail Federation, as more consumers this year are expected to partake in traditional festivities.