Center Store


LITTLETON, N.H. — Retail sales of insecticides and other mosquito-related products are trending upward thanks to an unusually active mosquito season. A wet winter and spring, together with recent heavy flooding throughout much of the middle of the country has resulted in standing pools of water and ideal mosquito breeding conditions. This summer’s high mosquito population has been good news for companies like Tender Corp., the maker of AfterBite, a product that has shown increased sales over the past month.

IRVING, Texas — Hostess has added a chocolate-frosted treat to its Donettes line.

New frosted devil's food cake Donettes are mini donuts that are dipped in a chocolate-flavored coating and now are available at stores nationwide.

Hostess said its latest Donettes treats can be enjoyed in four convenient sizes, including 10.5-oz. Dunkie bags, 11.25-oz. Dunkie bags, 12.2-oz. Sweet Sixteen Dunkie bags and 3-oz. single-serve sleeves.

Health still is a priority for Americans, as sugary cereals are declining and cereals with health benefits, like whole grains, vitamins and minerals, are experiencing slow but steady growth.


Overall, sales of ready-to-eat cereals were flat, up 0.2% in the 12 weeks ended June 12 to $1.5 billion. Of the top 10 cereals tracked by SymphonyIRI Group, only six brands experienced single-digit gains, and most were up less than 4%. The reason: rising prices, popularity of cereal bars and the convenience of bagels and toaster pastries.

SUPPLIER NEWS — SC Johnson’s latest Windex product touts 90% less plastic than the traditional 26-oz. trigger bottle. New Windex Mini is a concentrated refill pouch that “saves six times as much plastic waste that goes into a landfill, compared with a traditional bottle,” according to SC Johnson chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson. Windex Mini will be available nationwide in three-packs of “snip ‘n’ pour” pouches.


AURORA, Colo. — Consumers have found a soft spot for hardwood floor mops as concerns about indoor air quality, rising asthma rates among children and a desire for convenience has swept widespread interest in the fledgling category.


Picking up on the trend is Bona US with its Hardwood Floor Mop Motion ($49.99). Next up, and a likely target for drug chains, is its lower-
priced Bona Hardwood Floor Mop Curve ($29.99). The mop features an on-board reservoir specifically formulated for hardwood floors and cleans hard-to-reach areas, such as under couches and tables.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — PNI Digital Media on Monday announced an agreement with Walgreens to provide and operate an online stationery service for the Chicago-based pharmacy.

The service will allow Walgreens customers to create and customize unique cards, invitations and other printed material, including personalized photobooks and photo calendars, wedding invitations and business cards.

According to reports, the PNI Digital Media Platform reaches more than 14,000 retail locations around the world, 9,000 of which offer a one-hour pickup service.

SUPPLIER NEWS — Crystal Light is looking to shake up the beverage category with a new line of “mocktails,” available in appletini, margarita and mojito flavors. The Crystal Light Mocktails pair together the flavor of summer beverages with low calories, and will be available nationally in September.



As Seen On TV products have gained valuable shelf space at drug chains, becoming a formidable department instead of just an item-driven business.


Its evolution is thanks to industry leaders Telebrands, Ontel, IdeaVillage (each individually owned by one of three Khubani brothers) and Allstar Products Group. Together they account for a significant portion of sales for the category whose customers are early adopters and seek new, innovative and value-driven products.