Consumables

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — TalkingRain Beverage said it is bringing its Sparkling Ice brand to Kroger stores and the retailer's other supermarket banners.

Sparkling Ice will hit the shelves of Kroger, King Soopers, Ralphs, QFC, Fred Meyer, Frys, Dillons and Smith's across the country. Sparkling Ice, which blends together mountain spring water, fruit juice and carbonation, is available in orange mango, black raspberry, lemon lime, pomegranate berry, pink grapefruit and kiwi strawberry flavors, and in 17-oz. and 1-liter containers.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Lipton Iced Tea's beverages now are boasting an all-natural ingredient list.

New 100% natural Lipton Iced Tea will be available in green tea with citrus, iced tea with lemon, iced tea with blueberry pomegranate and green tea with passionfruit mango flavors. Lipton Iced Tea's diet portfolio also will expand with new diet green tea with watermelon joining diet green tea with citrus flavor.

Each bottle will retail from 99 cents to $1.59 and will be available in 20-oz. bottles.

CHICAGO — A new limited-edition beer is helping consumers get ready for summer.

Low-calorie brand MGD 64 is serving up MGD 64 Lemonade, a 64-calorie beer that combines a light, crisp draft beer taste with the tangy taste of lemonade. Available in six-pack bottles and 12-pack bottles and cans, MGD 64 Lemonade will be available from May through Labor Day at retailers nationwide.

MGD 64, part of the Miller Geniune Draft line of products, launched nationally in 2008.

SUPPLIER NEWS — Frito-Lay is spicing up its Doritos, Fritos and Ruffles brands to include a Tapatio hot-sauce-flavored product. All three products include a unique combination of red chili peppers, spices and a hint of garlic — the same ingredients in the Tapatio hot sauce recipe. They are available at in small bags (99 cents) and large bags ($2.99).

Hannaford’s commitment to health and wellness made headlines back in 2006 when 
it implemented the innovative Guiding Stars system — the first storewide nutrition navigation system in the United States. Now, five years later, the company’s dedication to healthy living remains strong.


A fresh new vision has come into view at Duane Reade as the Walgreens-owned retailer expanded its fresh food and grocery offerings. In its Union Square store in Manhattan, shown here, consumers are greeted by an expansive food offering that includes an island of such on-the-go meals as oatmeal, sushi, sandwiches and salads; baked goods with a self-service coffee bar; and an array of frozen foods. The concept also prominently features the store-brand DR Delish line of premium snacks and beverages.


HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Snickers really wants consumers to "love" its latest confection.

The Mars Chocolate brand has implemented a "love" button on its Facebook fan page — an upgrade of the social networking site's "like" button — to celebrate the launch of Snickers Peanut Butter Squared.

Call it “the attack of the coupon-crazed shelf sweepers.” It’s the most aggressive form of bargain hunting by consumers willing to spend hours searching out coupon deals, to stock up with enough product to last their families for a year and to turn their homes into veritable warehouses.