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NORWALK, Conn. — Guinness is launching its latest brewed creation nationwide next month.

Guinness Black Lager pairs together the taste of lager with the flavor of Guinness and touts 4.5% alcohol by volume in each 11.2-oz bottle, the company said. The launch will be supported with television, radio and online advertising.

NEW YORK — A recent consumer survey released by AlixPartners found that a little more than half of all consumers (51%) identify a traditional grocery retailer as their point of destination when making a grocery trip. Such mass merchants as Walmart are capturing 30% of those trips, and the continued emphasis on fresh in the drug channel has drawn 5% of those trips into the mainstream pharmacy.

Dollar stores, another channel that has in the past few years made a significant push into food items, also draws 5% of all grocery trips.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft Foods once again is on a mission to donate meals to Feeding America through the company's second annual hunger relief campaign.

Kraft, along with its brands, have commenced the second annual Huddle to Fight Hunger initiative, which encourages Americans to generate meal donations for Feeding America through several social media initiatives, including Facebook and Twitter. This year, Kraft is looking to donate 25 million meals, up 4 million meals from its 2010 efforts.


Retailers, expecting thrifty behavior from consumers, are starting the back-to-school season with early promotions. “Retailers are already running door-buster promotions,” said Perry Smith, an analyst with the NPD Group. “The consumer has been holding out for last-minute shopping hoping for the best deals. In some cases, people are shopping after school starts.”


DENVER and MONTREAL — Molson Coors has expanded its leadership team, the brewing company announced Wednesday.

NEW YORK — Pet lovers want the best for their furry friends. Last year, Americans spent $55 billion on their pets, according to Packaged Facts, and the upward trend shows no signs of slowing.

One of the brightest spots in the pet category is natural and organic pet food. While Packaged Facts estimated that the market segment accounts for about 7% of pet food sales, the market research firm sees a huge upside to the segment.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Clorox on Wednesday commenced its annual Power A Bright Future grant program.

FAIRFIELD, Calif. — Jelly Belly Candy has teamed up with Snapple for a new line of gourmet jelly beans. The Jelly Belly Snapple Juice Drinks line, which is made from real fruit juice and purees, and contains no artificial coloring, is available in five Snapple flavors: Fruit Punch, Mango Madness, Cranberry Raspberry, Pink Lemonade and Kiwi Strawberry.