Consumables

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Catalina Marketing announced the debut of a new purchase-based targeting solution for consumer packaged goods advertisers that incorporates shopper understanding and analytics into campaign planning and measurement to drive improved performance.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Fresh & Easy has launched a new range of more than 50 preseasoned, ready-to-cook items in stores just in time for the summer grilling season. The Ready to Cook line includes beef, pork, chicken, fish and vegetable options all premarinated or preseasoned, ready to go straight in the skillet, microwave or on the grill.

Sales of coconut water continue to soar. According to a recent report from Mintel, the U.S. market for coconut water was around $350 million in 2011, representing 2% of the total fruit juice and drinks sales. The report suggested that coconut water offers growth opportunity in an otherwise maturing fruit juice/drinks market; in all three outlets, coconut water sales grew by 165% to $59 million during 2010-2011.

PLANO, Texas — PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America division is developing a gluten-free validation process for its products as part of a multiyear initiative to assure consumers that many of the company's products are gluten free.

PLANO, Texas — PepsiCo is expanding one of the flagship brands from its Frito-Lay division.

The company has introduced the Ruffles Ultimate line, which includes chips that feature ridges twice the size and depth of the ridges in original Ruffles potato chips, as well as dips that are made with chunks of real bacon or real beef and cheese to provide the "ultimate" snacking experience, the company said.

CHICAGO — Guayaki is expanding its Yerba Mate portfolio with a new sparkling beverage line.

Guayaki Sparkling Yerba Mate beverages, available in cola-flavored classic gold, cranberry pomegranate and grapefruit ginger flavors, are sold in 12-oz. Rexam Sleek cans. Yerba Mate is a caffeine alternative that provides "strength of coffee, the health benefits of tea and the euphoria of chocolate" and also is organic and Fair Trade certified, the company said. The Yerba Mate portfolio currently includes such products tea bags, bottled tea and energy shots.

CAMDEN, N.J. — Campbell's has tapped Walgreens' social media director to lead the soup maker's digital marketing and social media efforts.

MORTON GROVE, Ill. — Lifeway Foods is expanding the distribution of its kefir line in Target stores, as well as adding new Lifeway products to Target's dairy cases.

The company said the available of Lifeway Kefir items in Target will increase from 170 to 453 locations, with the addition of three flavors of 8-oz. Lifeway Kefir four-packs to Target's offerings. Specifically, the distribution expansion covers multiple flavors and sizes of Lifeway Kefir and Lifeway ProBugs, children's line of organic Kefir with a no-spill pouch and kid-friendly flavors.