In this Issue

“We are on the verge of an economic crisis that could disrupt the whole U.S. healthcare system.” Our lack of preventive health care — and the implications of that — was a theme conveyed by numerous economists, healthcare entrepreneurs and technology experts gathered at a special thought leadership event co-produced by Mack Elevation and Drug Store News.

Retailers and suppliers are in the midst of a strategy shift in the consumable aisles. As consumers increase their focus on the role that diet plays in health care, retailers and suppliers are retooling their strategies to emphasize fresh, local, organic, natural, healthy products — something that Kantar Retail calls the FLONH effect.

(To view the full Category Review, click here.)

NEW YORK — The popularity of the movie “Frozen” ignited a braid craze. But how was David Shapiro supposed to get the plaited look for his 3-year-old daughter Hunter, who has a head of springy corkscrews? He is one of many men who have attended braiding courses taught by hair guru Cozy Friedman in her New York salons. The biggest demand comes from those who have to create the looks on offspring with curly or coiled hair.

NORWICH, N.Y. — One of America’s leading Greek yogurt brands is moving outside the yogurt aisle for the very first time. Chobani has introduced two brand new product offerings: Chobani Meze Dips and Drink Chobani. Chobani Meze dips are a new line of Greek-yogurt based dips with four flavors — Roasted Red Pepper, Smoked Onion Parmesan, Three-Pepper Salsa and Chili Lime. Each dip has just 1 g of fat per two tablespoon serving and is low in calories. The 10-oz. containers have a manufacturer’s suggest retail price of about $3.99.

MASON, Ohio — Fit Organic Mosquito Repellent Spray, a unique formula comprised of organic lemongrass grown in Nepal and organic oleic acid derived from sunflowers in the United Kingdom, protects against biting insects for up to three hours.

If anyone can attest to the need for the current rash of hair care products for women with curls, it is Michelle Breyer.

CHICAGO — Merchants looking for the “next best thing” in at-home treatments might want to eyeball Dermaflash. Sephora is already selling the at-home exfoliation device, which removes dead cells, “peach fuzz hair” and built-up debris.

Summer always is a strong selling season for insect repellents, but this year has seen sales rise in the category due to consumer worry over the mosquito-borne Zika virus.

According to IRI, sales of insect repellent, which includes rodent control products, topped $506 million in the 52-week period ended June 12, an increase of 4% from the previous year.