General Merchandise

SAN ANTONIO — During Thursday’s education breakout sessions, Jeremy Doak, director of reward and wellness solutions for Edenred North America, shared with attendees the building blocks to create a strategy for delivering effective programs that impact consumer health-and-wellness outcomes during his presentation titled, “How to encourage consumer participation in health and wellness programs.”

SAN ANTONIO — The Health and Wellness @ Retail 2013 kicked off on a strong note as National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner discussed, during his opening keynote presentation, his findings after traveling the globe to uncover the best strategies for longevity and happiness.

The session, sponsored by Cardinal Health, was titled “Integrating blue zones into communities to improve health outcomes.”

Thursday morning started on a high note as a panel of industry experts from both the retail and manufacturing side of the grocery industry engaged in a discussion on meeting the needs of today’s health-conscious consumer. The PepsiCo-sponsored panel, moderated by Phil Lempert of The Supermarket Guru, comprised of Natalia Menza of Wakefern Food Corp., Kate Rogers of H-E-B, Juli Hermanson of General Mills, Wendy Bazilian of Bazilian, Inc. and Leah McGrath of Ingles Markets.

SAN ANTONIO — The Food Marketing Institute Health and Wellness @Retail held in conjunction with the Global Market Development Center HBW Conference kicked off this week with a mission of bringing together retail pharmacy, nutrition, marketing and merchandising professionals with manufacturers and service providers to share insights on how stores can provide a one-stop shopping experience for today’s shoppers.

The new hybrid event is being held May 29 to June 3 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country in San Antonio.

BOSTON — In association with the June 14 theatrical release of "Man of Steel," Gillette, a Procter and Gamble brand, is launching an interactive website asking Superman fans, "Just how does Superman shave?"

MARIETTA, Ga. — Competitive Promotion Report is hoping to help consumer packaged goods manufacturers parse large and complex data sets in a new report.

EWING, N.J. — Arm & Hammer announced today a new ultra-concentrated Ultra Power 4X laundry detergent, which the company states has powerful stain-fighters and two scoops of baking soda to make clothes cleaner and fresher.

Ultra Power 4X comes packaged in a convenient, smaller and less bulky bottle that is easy to measure and store.

MONTREAL — Domtar Corporation on Tuesday announced the signing of a definitive agreement for the acquisition of privately-held Associated Hygienic Products, the largest manufacturer and supplier of store brand infant diapers in the United States, from DSG International for $272 million. The closing of the transaction is expected by the end of the second quarter of 2013, subject to customary closing conditions.