Center Store

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — M&M’s brand has introduced 8-oz. standup pouches for two new flavors (mint dark chocolate and raspberry dark chocolate), as well as classic M&M’s. The suggested retail price is $2.99. 


FAIRFIELD, N.J. — Telebrands is bringing the popular Sticky Buddy roller product to retail in early May. The lint and dust remover has had strong direct-to-
consumer sales. In its first two weeks on the JW Greensheet industry report of the top 75 traditional direct response spots, the product climbed to the No. 2 position — a rate that is “extremely rare,” according to Greensheet publisher John Kogler.


MCLEAN, Va. — Consumer packaged goods brands that dedicate a share of their overall marketing resources to the ever-growing Hispanic market prompted about one-third of their overall revenue growth, according to a study from the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies.

ODENTON, Md. — M-Edge has launched a new line of protective cases for the latest Apple iPad.

The new cases feature the uView Mounting System, a molded polycarbonate four-corner iPad frame that snaps in via a universal attachment clip that mounts into the jacket in landscape or portrait modes, or can be detached for lower profile protection, without obstructing access to the iPad's camera, ports and buttons.

The new line carries a suggested retail price range of $34.99 to $49.99.

While the in-store experience is still important to many shoppers, greater consumer adoption of emerging technologies is undoubtedly reshaping the retail landscape. Today, stores are just one part of a larger, more connected consumer experience. For retailers, this means they must rethink how they can transform stores, strategies and operating models into a store of the future: Store 3.0.


Nuts, due to their healthy profile, continue to be one of the strongest segments in the snack food category, and Mintel estimated that nuts, seeds and trail mix will continue steady growth through 2015. Trail mix, the smallest segment of the market, showed the greatest growth in the category. Kraft’s Planters leads the category, and its Back to Nature trail mix brand showed gains.

Rechargeable batteries represent a growth area for retailers. A report from the Freedonia Group indicated that alkaline batteries remain the most prevalent type of primary battery, accounting for more than 70% of demand. Sales of other battery chemistries, most notably primary lithium, are expected to gain traction in the market through 2015.


As the population ages, sales of hearing-aid batteries and primary lithium batteries for implantable medical devices are expected to soar.

MORTON GROVE, Ill. — Lifeway Foods is set to launch a trio of cultured frozen dairy treats.

The lineup includes push-up frozen dairy pops, a new frozen push-up version of Lifeway's ProBugs probiotic beverages for children; new flavors of Lifeway Frozen Kefir in pumpkin, chocolate and dulce de leche flavors; and Greek-style Fro-Yo in blood orange swirl, chocolate swirl and honey swirl flavors.

The first products will hit retail stores, including Whole Foods, Wegmans, Sunflower and Sprouts Markets in May.