Center Store

DSNTV: Keynote highlights from the New General Market Summit
What does the center store of the future look like?
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Global Marketing Development Center’s latest report on next practices is urging retailers to rething their in-store and online strategies to adapt to how consumers are shopping in order to stay competitive.

Dry Sparkling craft soda adds watermelon flavor to its line

SEATTLE — Craft soda brand Dry Sparkling is expanding its offerings in time for summer. The company announced Thursday the addition of its watermelon flavor. The new flavor contains 50 calories and 12 g of sugar per 12-oz. serving, and is made with four ingredients and a small amount of cane sugar, Dry Sparkling said.
MillerCoors brings Zima back for the summer

CHICAGO — Remember the ’90s? MillerCoors does, and the company is doling out a healthy amount of nostalgia to the ready-to-drink category this summer by resurrecting ’90s favorite Zima. The clear malt beverage — which first hit the United States in 1994 before it left shelves in 2008 — will be available until Labor Day in its classic look and citrus flavor.
Mars names 2 key execs as it increases digital focus

MCLEAN, Va. — Mars has added two key hires to its digital team as it accelerates its digital innovation and growth efforts.

Sandeep Dadlani will become Mars’ chief digital officer, overseeing the company’s digital transformation agenda while improving effectiveness and efficiency of its existing tech platforms. Dadlani succeeds chief information officer Vittorio Cretella, who has been with Mars for 26 years and is set to retire, effective Sept. 1.
Lazy Susans, tie racks and front-store merchandising

My daughter and I were experimenting in the kitchen the other evening — cooking up what was sure to be a masterpiece. Reaching into the lazy Susan in the spice cabinet, I had a eureka moment.

To be honest, this is not the first time that this fleeting thought has crossed my mind. But it resurfaced with a vengeance when my daughter commented about the lazy Susan, “This is so cool. Everything I need is just a quick spin away from being right in front of me.”
Nestlé exploring potential sale of U.S. candy business

VEVEY, Switzerland — Nestlé’s U.S. confectionery business could soon be in new hands. The company on Thursday announced that it was exploring strategic options for the division, including possible selling it, in efforts that it expects to complete by year’s end.
Amazon Go readies for launch as Shanghai’s MobyMart makes the rounds
DSNTV: Highlights from the third annual New General Market Summit

At the Drug Store News/Mack Elevation New General Market Summit, Mack Elevation managing director Dan Mack told attendees, “The New General Market is a mindset — it’s not defined by demography or skin color or religion or sex or sexual orientation — it’s driven by a mindset of inclusion.”
Crossmark taps IRI for category analysis

CHICAGO — IRI on Tuesday announced that Crossmark has selected IRI as its preferred data provider.

“IRI’s robust tools and technology as well as its strength in retail partnerships make it an ideal resource for Crossmark,” stated David Newman, chief insights officer for Crossmark. “We are confident that leveraging IRI tools will ensure Crossmark delivers on our client promise to provide a smarter way to faster growth.”