In this Issue

Winning with U.S. Hispanics is the solution to accelerating sales growth. Univision partnered with Nielsen to study the Hispanic Healthcare Journey and uncover differences and similarities between Hispanic and non-Hispanic attitudes and behaviors. This new, groundbreaking research explores how patients manage their path to treatment and follows consumers’ path to purchase for the total OTC market and the key categories of pain, vitamins, cough-cold, and allergy remedies.

Unilever’s $1 billion purchase of Dollar Shave Club was an eye-opening deal. While Unilever has been on a buying spree, snapping up companies such as REN, Kate Somerville, Dermalogica and Murad — all premium skin care brands — the deal with Dollar Shave represented growth in a different market. Now the industry awaits Unilever’s next move.

(To view the full Shave Report, click here.)

The drug store industry said goodbye to two icons of the business in September. Charles R. “Cork” Walgreen III, 80, former president, CEO, chairman of the board and chairman emeritus of the company that bears his family’s name, and David Bloom, 76, the former, long-time CEO of Shoppers Drug Mart passed away last month — exactly one day apart on Sept. 26 and Sept. 25, respectively.

CLACKAMAS, Ore. — Earth Mama Angel Baby has introduced two new gift bags: one designed for new moms who have gone back to work, but want to pump to continue their breast-feeding journey; and one to help create a lovely lavender nighttime routine to help encourage baby sleep. The Milk-to-Go Pumping Companion Essentials bag, with a suggested retail price of $34.99, is an eco-friendly, reusable insulated bag that contains Organic Milkmaid Tea, Natural Nipple Butter and Happy Mama Body Wash.

Anyone without a clear vision of the link between wellness and beauty hasn’t heard CVS Health’s VP/merchandise manager for beauty and personal care Alex Perez-Tenessa describe the synergy.

(To download Special Report: Double Down on Health, click here.)

The health-beauty connection is a driving force for the company as it continues rolling out its new “Elevate Beauty” concept, which is now in about 2,000 of its stores.

CARSON, Calif. — Hyland’s at NACDS Total Store Expo launched a new homeopathic energy booster called Good Morning that targets consumers looking for a natural revitalization solution, following a night of tossing and turning in bed. Good Morning contains no caffeine, is stimulant free and is non-habit forming. According to Hyland’s research, 38.3% of Americans have trouble sleeping, with stress being the leading cause of their restlessness.

As critics of the Affordable Care Act continue to grumble about how the law has adversely affected much of the nation’s healthcare system, consultant and Foundation for Health Smart Consumers fellow Mike Tarino said that giving people more control over how their healthcare dollars are spent could help quiet the critics and put what many see as a failing reform plan back on track.

“One-in-4 people over age 45 in the United States is chronically lonely.”