Consumables

YONKERS, N.Y. Shoppers shouldn't overlook store brands if they are looking for quality and ways to save money, according to a new Consumer Reports study.

Consumer Reports' price study -- which appears in the publication's October issue -- evaluated five supermarket chains and compared store- and name-brand prices for 30 everyday items at five chains, collecting a total of 283 price quotes. Consumer Reports found the average savings with store brands was 30%, but shoppers saved as much as 52% on some items.

WEST BRIDGEWATER, N.J. It seems that Equal Exchange's chocolate sector is gaining momentum.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. A relaxation beverage's retail distribution is being expanded to select stores in the mid-Atlantic region.

Frontier Beverage will distribute Unwind with the help of its newest partner, The Honickman Organization, to select stores in Virginia; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Delaware; eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.

Unwind's recently debuted sleek, 12-oz. lightly carbonated cans contain 40 calories and only 10 g of sugar.

CINCINNATI Since launching a full media platform for its multibrand Future Friendly program in the spring, Procter & Gamble has made a significant impact among both retailers and mainstream consumers looking to save energy and reduce waste. Now the manufacturer is looking to expand the initiative even further in 2011.

BOSTON A maker of mobile loyalty card applications launched one of its popular smart phone apps for the Apple iPad.

CardStar's app is designed to connect merchants, brands and consumers through existing rewards card programs, the company said. Since launching in 2009, CardStar's app has had 2 million downloads and currently services more than 700,000 active users.

CardStar's customized couponing features: