In this Issue

A slowdown in the once revved-up anti-aging segment in the skin care category has brands and retailers looking for more fertile options.

Mass market health buyers seeking to sniff out the latest niche opportunity in the vitamins, minerals and supplements aisle may need to look no further than the tip of their nose. Aromatherapy is becoming hot within mass now, as evidenced by the number of players who have entered the market. For example, EO Products recently announced a partnership between its Everyone line of personal care products and Target that brings Everyone Aromatherapy products to more than 1,500 Target locations.

NORCROSS, Ga. — Hibiclens, an antimicrobial cleanser recommended for use before surgery to help reduce surgical site infections, MRSA or a Staphylococcus infection, is a perfect example of how pharmacists can help transition patients from hospital to home.

(Click here to view the full Category Review.)

Niche products like external analgesics, both creams and patches, continue to represent significant incremental value to the overall pain-relieving category. According to the latest IRI figures, sales of external analgesics were up 8.6% to $560.2 million for the 52 weeks ended March 20 across total U.S. multi-outlets.

Randy Edeker, president, CEO and chairman of Hy-Vee presents Martin Otto, chief merchant and CFO of H-E-B, with the gavel for the chairmanship of NACDS.

WALTHAM, Mass. — NeuroMetrix is aiming its wearable pain relief device Quell at a customer it believes is underserved. “Today, in terms of a serious therapeutic wearable device for chronic pain, we’re pretty unique,” NeuroMetrix SVP and general manager of consumer health Frank McGillin said. “There’s been an adoption of fitness trackers ... and obviously rapid growth of those primarily around the ‘worried well’ — they’re either active people trying to be even more active or they’re focused on their health.

The bath category is once again bubbling at drug stores thanks to several trends. First is the fusion of skin care and shower/bath thanks to product launches that multitask while cleaning.

As consumer demand for more natural food products grows, many retailers are responding by adding healthier options, and the non-chocolate candy aisle is no exception.