Consumables

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever is launching two new butter-like spreads, the company said.

The food, home and personal care supplier said it would debut I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Deliciously Simple and Country Crock Simply Delicious at the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival, which is presented by Food & Wine magazine.

The spreads are made with such simple ingredients as canola oil, nonfat yogurt, salt and natural flavors, with no artificial preserves or trans fat.

NEW YORK — Consumers are holiday shopping sooner and spending more this year due to a late Thanksgiving and shorter holiday shopping season, according to a new survey by American Express.

The latest American Express Spending and Saving Tracker indicates that shoppers will spend $1,260 this year — up $400 from last year — and 27% are already looking for deals and plan to finish before Dec. 1, from 24% last year. Thirty-seven percent expect to finish shopping the week before Christmas, compared with 33% last year.

CHICAGO — Online grocer Peapod is partnering with Chicago's Shedd Aquarium to mark National Seafood Month and promote sustainable seafood.

NEW YORK — Nestle is planning to launch a cup version of its popular Butterfinger candy bar next year, the company said.

The candy maker said it would introduce the Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups, calling it one of the company's biggest candy launches. In addition, for the first time it will feature one of its brands in a Super Bowl commercial.

MONTVALE, N.J. — Tetley USA, the U.S. subsidiary of the U.K.-based tea company, released results of a survey of tea drinkers to coincide with the launch of its new Black & Green blend.

CHICAGO — According to IRI's Q3 2013 MarketPulse survey results released Tuesday, 85% of American consumers were aware of the looming debt ceiling crisis and of the government shutdown, which is clearly impacting their views of their personal finances, including their approach to grocery shopping. 

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Candy maker Mars Chocolate North America has introduced a new set of planning tools to help retailers develop their marketing strategies and build chocolate sales, the company said.

The new resources include the 2014 Moments Calendar Video, year-long display programs, a convenience channel 2014 Planning Toolkit, a revamped Mars24seven.com and the Performance Plus Rewards Program.

NEW YORK — All people living with diabetes should make nutrition therapy part of their treatment plans, the American Diabetes Association is recommending. But the group also is saying that no single eating pattern works best for everyone.