Consumables

LOS ANGELES — Activate Drinks will expand distribution of its line of nutrient-enhanced waters to East Coast grocery retailers Stop & Shop and Shaw's, the company announced on Monday.

Beginning in November 2013, 400 Stop & Shop locations will carry six varieties within the Activate portfolio, which includes Activate Beauty: Exotic Berry, Activate Defy: Pomegranate Blue, Activate Defend: Orange, Activate Charged: Grape and Lemon Lime and Activate Balance: Fruit Punch.

CHICAGO — Underwhelming fall sales and continued economic and federal budgetary concerns have U.S. retailers in a “wait and see” mode this holiday season, according to a recent BDO USA survey released Monday. 

PLANO, Texas — Crossmark on Monday announced the acquisition of the assets of PromoWorks, an insights-driven shopper marketing solutions firm. PromoWorks will be led by industry veteran Julie Beck. Prior to joining PromoWorks in 2011, Beck held a variety of leadership positions at Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft and the Partnering Group.

BRYAN, Ohio, — This holiday season Spangler Candy Co. will launch limited-edition, holiday flavors in two of its most iconic brands: Dum Dums Holiday Pops and Peppermint Marshmallow Circus Peanuts, the company announced.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A division of Kroger Co. has placed an initial order for Alkaline88, a bottled water brand produced using a proprietary electrolysis beverage process.

The Alkaline Water Co. announced the order Wednesday, from Smiths Food and Drug Stores, which operates 131 stores in Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Alkaline sells the water in 3-L and 1-gal. sizes.

NEW BERLIN, N.Y. – Chobani, a Greek yogurt brand, will help six members of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams power up as they make the journey to the Sochi 2014 Winter Games.

The six athletes that make up Team Chobani are Lindsey Jacobellis (Snowboard Cross), Allison Jones (Para Cycling), Hannah Kearney (Mogul Skiing), Zach Parise (Ice Hockey), Rico Roman (Sled Hockey), and Evan Strong (Para-Snowboard Cross). They were hand-picked for their strong work ethic and perserverance — admirable qualities that make them a great match for Chobani.

ORANGE, Conn. — Pez Candy earlier this year released several promotional Pez dispensers featuring Walgreens and subsidiary Duane Reade delivery trucks. 

While Walgreens stores got three different promotional trucks, the Duane Reade pharmacy stores got the Up Market fresh and the NICE trucks along with their Duane Reade promotional trucks. 

ORRVILLE, Ohio — The J.M. Smucker Co. is introducing new breakfast mixes to its Hungry Jack line for the holiday season, the food products manufacturer said Wednesday.

The new products include waffle and pancake mix varieties that the company said would help families "bring back breakfast." They include the Complete Belgian Waffle Mix and such seasonal pancake mix varieties as pumpkin spice, cinnamon spice and Easy Pack Funfetti Holiday Buttermilk Pancake Mix.