HEALTH

Gordon Haskett breaks out five reasons why Amazon isn't the end of brick-and-mortar
NEW YORK — In part two of Gordon Haskett's review of consumer behavior online, analyst Chuck Grom gives Amazon their due, as the online juggernaut "commands the majority of online traffic with an equal (or greater) share of household purchases when compared to all other e-commerce retailers combined," he said. But brick-and-mortar retailers shouldn't fret (too much), he added, because in-store sales still remain relevant, particularly in non-discretional categories.
Kmart kicks off BTS season with flu shot offering
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart is kicking off flu season with pharmacies fulfilling the promise of a one-stop, convenient health destination, offering flu shots and other back-to-school immunizations for the whole family, the retailer announced Tuesday.

Lifelab Health introduces NuSyllium fiber supplement

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. — Earlier this month Lifelab Health introduced NuSyllium, a UDSA certified organic psyllium fiber supplement.

“The technology used in the NuSyllium manufacturing process – ‘Perfect Grind for Easy Mixing’ - ensures an easy smooth mix with water or the cold liquid of your choice,” stated Louis Machin, managing director at Lifelab Health. “Our goal is to provide a superior fiber that not only is 100% certified organic, but also gives consumers a pleasant experience when taking the product.”
Growing interest in connected health tech to enable aging-in-place, Parks Associates says

DALLAS — New digital health research from international firm Parks Associates shows that three-fourths of consumers 40 years and older expect to live in their own home when they turn 80, which will drive adoption and innovation in aging-in-place solutions. Parks Associates is presenting at the fourth-annual Connected Health Summit: Engaging Consumers in San Diego on the role of connected health technologies and smart home crossover use cases to enable aging-in-place and independent living for current and future generations.
Level Brands names marketing, brand-building teams behind menopausal line

CHARLOTTE, N.C.— Level Brands last week announced that Encore Endeavor One, their corporate brand management unit, and Ireland Men 1, their millennial brand for men and the women who love them, will jointly provide strategic advisory services and manage all brand marketing for Damiva, an innovator in all-natural health products for perimenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal women.

Concurrently, in an associated agreement, kathy ireland Worldwide will steer strategic brand management for Damiva.
CDC updates 2017-2018 flu season vaccine recommendations

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week upated its 2017-2018 flu season vaccine recommendations.

Vaccine viruses included in the 2017–18 U.S. trivalent influenza vaccines will be an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09–like virus, an A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus, and a B/Brisbane/60/2008–like virus (Victoria lineage). Quadrivalent influenza vaccines will contain these three viruses and an additional influenza B vaccine virus, a B/Phuket/3073/2013–like virus (Yamagata lineage).
Lake Consumer vets feminine hygiene odor treatment product through consumer survey

JACKSON, Wis. — Lake Consumer Products, owner of the vH essentials brand of feminine health and wellness products, recently engaged The Benchmarking Company to conduct a 7-day independent evaluation of their Vaginal Odor Treatment product. The results were overwhelmingly positive.
New CEO named for Crossmark Canada

PLANO, Texas — Crossmark on Monday named Mark Ayer president and CEO of Crossmark Canada. Ayer joined Crossmark Canada as SVP customer development in April 2017.
Sanofi completes acquisition of Protein Sciences

PARIS — Sanofi announced Monday that it has completed the acquisition of Protein Sciences, a vaccines biotechnology company based in Meriden, Conn. This completion follows Federal Trade Commission approval, having met all the conditions required for the closing of the transaction.

Through the acquisition, Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines global business unit of Sanofi, adds a promising product to its influenza vaccine portfolio: Flublok (Influenza Vaccine), the only recombinant protein-based influenza vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Amazon moves to offer ship-to-store services and lower prices through Whole Foods

SEATTLE — Amazon will be wasting no time onboarding Whole Foods, the online retailer announced Thursday. As the company closes the deal on Monday, Amazon will immediately implement lower pricing across the Whole Foods banner, including many popular produce and meat products.

Also, Amazon Lockers will be available in select Whole Foods Market stores, affording Whole Foods a click-and-collect offering. Customers can have products shipped from Amazon.com to their local Whole Foods Market store for pick up or send returns back to Amazon during a trip to the store.