Center Store

CHICAGO — Wrigley and Mars Chocolate North America say they are driving sales and increasing shopper engagement by working with retailers to implement their Transaction Zone Vision.

Since launching the program in 2015, the companies say they have used research-driven insights to help retail partners boost sales at checkout through channel-specific recommendations.

MCLEAN, Va. — The biggest launch in M&M’s brand history, M&M’s Caramel Chocolate Candies features a creamy, caramel center covered in milk chocolate, enclosed in a candy shell. Caramel is the fastest-growing flavor segment in food, growing 15% in 2015, according to Mars. Hank Izzo, VP of research and development of parent company Mars Chocolate, said the brand regularly plays around with size, shape, color and texture. But, caramel has been especially of interest to the company in recent years. “Caramel is extremely trendy,” he said.

Health-and-wellness trends are taking the CPG and retail industries by storm, and that is no less the case when it comes to the confectionary industry specifically.

As consumer dietary habits have shifted in recent years, confectionary companies in particular have had a tougher task of finding ways to drive growth in the candy aisles. Candy sales have been trending down, with consumers opting for better-for-you snacks.

The bright spot for candy manufacturers and retailers has been novelty and seasonal confections.

As we ship this issue to the printer, it has been less than 24 hours since Drug Store News hosted its 18th annual Industry Issues Summit. What began almost two decades ago as a closed-door discussion between a handful of retail merchandising executives and a few vendors in a small hotel meeting room has since evolved to become one of the signature thought leadership and networking events on the industry calendar.

PHOENIX — Boulder Canyon Authentic Foods is introducing three new gluten-free snack crisps made with an array of better-for-you ingredients.

Lentil Carrot Quinoa Crisps, Snap Pea Crisps and Ancient Grains Crisps arrive at retailers nationwide this month. They are sold in 5.5-ounce bags with a suggested retail price of $3.49 per package.

CHICAGO — IRI is continuing its e-commerce momentum through an alliance with Clavis Insight, a provider of digital shelf analysis, insights and analytics for consumer products manufacturers, the data analytics company announced Monday. The alliance means consumer packaged goods marketers will be able to track and assess a brand’s holistic online and offline performance in one place, to identify and capitalize on rapidly emerging e-commerce growth opportunities and maximize omnichannel sales and market share.

LOS ANGELES — One of the first refrigerated, ready-to-drink, 100% plant-based protein lines to retail nationally has launched nationwide.