Center Store

CVS Health, DSN and Mack Elevation convene health innovation summit
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health, in partnership with Drug Store News and Mack Elevation, is hosting an innovation summit Tuesday, bringing together leaders from such major healthcare, technology and consumer brands as Facebook, Under Armour, Google and IBM, among others, for a discussion about emerging trends that are helping reshape the healthcare industry.
Supplementing the bottom line
Supplements are providing the perfect complement to drug store retailers’ bottom lines. Including meal replacement bars, energy shots, protein shakes and diet aids, sales of dietary supplements and nutrition-packed products across the supplement aisle continued to grow at a healthy 4.7% clip with more than $13.4 billion in sales across total U.S. multi-outlets for the 52 weeks ended April 16, according to the latest IRI data.

Protein continues to build strength

Protein bars have been flying off the shelves in mass outlets lately. Sales of nutritional bars were up 3.4% to $2.4 billion for the 52 weeks ended April 16, according to IRI across total U.S. multi-outlets.
Dove intros dark chocolate and peanut butter Promises

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Mars Chocolate North America’s Dove Chocolate brand announced a new addition recently. The brand is introducing peanut butter and dark chocolate Promises, which blends Dove dark chocolate and peanut butter crème, nationwide.

With peanut butter making up one of the chocolate category’s largest segments, Dove said its experts saw an opportunity to bring consumers a new spin on the classic pairing.
We are all the New General Market

In April, Drug Store News and Mack Elevation co-hosted the third annual New General Market Summit. The one-day thought leadership event examined the changing face of the American shopper — driven not only by the growth of multicultural and millennial consumers but also by the influence these consumers are having on all consumers — and how the best brands are able to connect on an emotional level, as well as build community and advocacy with an ever-more diverse consumer.
HRG relays fresh produce growth on United Fresh Market Expo panel

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Angela Pinkstaff, Hamacher Resource Group director of business development, will participate on the panel, “Fresh Convenience Platforms to Meet Consumer Demands,” at the United Fresh Market Expo on June 14. Pinkstaff will join Jeff Lenard from the National Association of Convenience Stores, and Meg Burritt from Blue Apron, for a session reviewing how fresh produce/foods are expanding within the drug sector.
Hallmark launches VR Father’s Day cards

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — This Father’s Day, Hallmark is looking to capitalize on growing interested in virtual reality. The company has launched virtual reality greeting cards that take the recipient through a 360-degree viewing journey that’s tied to the theme of the card — surfing, motorcycle racing, skydiving and car racing.
Report shows Amazon is fertile ground for health, personal care and consumables sales

SANDY, Utah — Despite a decline in the overall health and personal care, or HPC, baby and grocery categories industry-wide, Amazon is grabbing double-digit wallet share.
ECRM acquires product discovery platform RangeMe

SOLON, Ohio and SAN FRANCISCO — Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing has acquired a technology company that has been changing how retailers discover new suppliers.

The company on Tuesday announced the acquisition of RangeMe, which streamlines new product discovery in a way that ECRM said will complement the foundation it has laid in helping buyers discover new products and improve category planning effectiveness.
Argo Tea launches 3-pronged National Iced Tea Month initaitive

CHICAGO — Argo Tea on Monday announced its latest initiative, its first national promotional collaboration with Walgreens, in honor of National Iced Tea Month.

The multi-part initiative includes in-store Walgreens-exclusive consumer sweepstakes, a ChariTEA donation to cancer nonprofit Stupid Cancer and a digital media campaign to promote the National Iced Tea Month campaign.