Center Store

The economy continues to be the single largest influencer in the growth of the health, beauty and wellness industry. The annual inflation rate has averaged just more than 2% during the past five years. More than ever, consumers are focused on living well with less and are making every effort to save money. Manufacturers are struggling to manage the ever-increasing cost of goods sold, and retailers are under tremendous pressure to increase profits in a very competitive environment.


The success of Rite Aid’s Wellness store is in the experience. It’s welcoming. It’s engaging. And across various touchpoints throughout the store, it helps guide Rite Aid customers toward however it is they define “well.” That’s as much a function of design of the stores as it is the people and the products in those stores.


Mounting pressure to regulate energy drinks could hamper growth in a category that has been on an upward trajectory for years. But sales of energy drinks have so far been immune to controversy. Mintel forecasts that sales of the products could double from 2011 to 2016. In 2012, Mintel estimates dollar sales for the category will total $9.4 billion, an increase of nearly 11% over 2011 sales. New line extensions, like Red Bull’s Editions, will continue to drive the category.

The greeting card category is shifting. Category giants American Greetings and Hallmark face the threat of competition from e-cards and are challenged by increased segmentation of the card category. Hallmark estimates that over the past decade, the number of greeting cards sold in the United States has dropped from 6 billion to 5 billion annually.


The Greeting Card Association reports that while greeting card unit sales have fluctuated over the past several years, the industry continues to generate annual revenues of $7 billion to $8 billion.


MINNEAPOLIS — Novelty gift company 30 Watt introduced its latest prank gift for the outlet-challenged. Billed as a “solution” for hard-to-reach electrical devices, Connect-A-Cord is actually 50 1-ft. sections of extension cord.


The gag gift’s packaging boasts that it “comes with an optional contractor case for tangle-free storage,” but when the recipient opens up the Prank Pack, they will discover the bright yellow flaps inside reading “Prank You!” 


BOSTON — Bettie Page has come to Boston. Tatyana Designs, a Las Vegas-based retailer specializing in contemporary designs inspired by the iconic Bettie Page, opened in late October its Boston boutique — marking its tenth U.S. location. Nestled at 32 Newbury St., in the heart of the shopping jewel of Boston, the store’s neighbors include Burberry, Chanel and Cartier.


NEW YORK — GoGo Squeez has introduced a new line of squeezable, resealable, spoon-free fruit-in-a-pouch snacks, Fast Fruit, specifically developed for adults. The company decided to expand their kids line of fruit snacks as they learned adults 18 years and older made up 30% of their consumer base.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — A new survey commissioned by The Dannon Company found that the majority of Americans understand the importance of digestive health and its link to overall well-being, the company announced Wednesday. While 93% of Americans agree that digestive health is closely linked to overall health and wellbeing, some may not always know the simple steps to help keep their digestive system on track.