Center Store

Reynolds introduces 3 new products
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Reynolds Consumer Products is expanding its selection with three new additions across its Reynolds Wrap and Reynolds Kitchens brands. The company is introducing Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper with SmartGrid and Wax Paper Sandwich Bags, as well as small-sized Slow Cooker Liners.
Hush Baby, Attitude win DSN/ECRM Buyers’ Choice Awards at baby, infant EPPS
Hush Baby won the ECRM/Drug Store News Buyers Choice Award for its sound-absorbing Hush Hat during ECRM’s Baby and Infant EPPS, held recently in Orlando. Attitude was a finalist for its biodegradable baby wipes.

The two companies were selected from dozens of entries in the award program, samples of which were displayed in the ECRM hospitality area during the EPPS meetings. Buyers cast their votes based on product innovation and packaging.

Hy-Vee kicks off Clean Honest Ingredients effort

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — As part of its Clean Honest Ingredients label initiative, Hy-Vee plans to eliminate more than 200 artificial ingredients or synthetic chemicals in 1,000 Hy-Vee label products by July 2018.
TrueSelf Foods’ low-FODMAP snack bars get Walmart.com distribution

WACCABUC, N.Y. — A line of snack bars from the maker of foods designed for consumers with gastrointestinal discomfort TrueSelf Foods is getting a wider audience. The company recently announced that it would be available on Walmart.com
HRG publishes e-book on preparing memorable buyer presentations

WAUKESHA, Wis. —Hamacher Resource Group is getting into the e-book game with the release of “The Most Important 20 Minutes of Your Year, Buyer Presentations: A Guide for CPG Manufacturers.” The book provides an overview of what presenters should consider when getting their buyer presentations ready.
Dr Pepper Snapple Group shuffles leadership

PLANO, Texas — Dr Pepper Snapple Group on Wednesday announced three leadership changes that it said were aimed at strengthening its leadership pipeline.

The company added Jaxie Alt to its executive leadership team as EVP human resources. She was most recently SVP marketing, heading up brand marketing and activation for Dr Pepper and 7UP brands, as well as A&W and Sunkist, overseeing travel and events services, sponsorships, content and capabilities. She has been with DPS since 2001.
Target continues its private-label healthy snacking effort

MINNEAPOLIS — Today, more than 75% of Target’s own brand kids’ snacks — from Simply Balanced fruit snacks and granola bars to Market Pantry fruit squeezers — are already free of artificial flavors, preservatives, sweeteners and colors, as well as artificial trans fats and high fructose corn syrup.
Method partners with Oakland, Calif., nonprofit on limited-edition collection

SAN FRANCISCO — Method will be debuting a limited-edition product collection that showcases the work of artists from Creative Growth, an Oakland, Calif.-based nonprofit art center serving adults with disabilities.

The collection features work from four artists paired with four new fragrances inspired by their work — palm garden, jasmine lily, cedar spice and vanilla sky — and will be available exclusively at Target through the end of the year.
Mondelez International names new CEO

DEERFIELD, ILL. — Mondelēz International has named a new CEO as current president Irene Rosenfeld steps down, effective in November. The company’s board has selected Dirk Van de Put as Rosenfeld’s successor. Rosenfeld will remain chairman until March 31, 2018, when she will retire and Van de Put will assume the role of chairman and CEO.
Natural pet food maker moves into mass, grocery

WILTON, Conn. — Natural pet food maker Blue Buffalo — which has heretofore been only available at specialty pet retailers — is bringing its Blue Life Protection Formula line of products to mass and grocery stores.

In a letter filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that was sent to existing retail partners, Blue Buffalo SVP North America sales Modestino “Dino” Mele said the company has begun shipments to Target, Kroger, Meijer and Publix, and expects it to be available in August.