In this Issue

Supplements are providing the perfect complement to drug store retailers’ bottom lines. Including meal replacement bars, energy shots, protein shakes and diet aids, sales of dietary supplements and nutrition-packed products across the supplement aisle continued to grow at a healthy 4.7% clip with more than $13.4 billion in sales across total U.S. multi-outlets for the 52 weeks ended April 16, according to the latest IRI data.

Today’s consumers want CPG companies to do things that impact the world, and to be part of brands that make the world better. Ignoring this new emphasis and continuing to focus on product itself will only lead to a loss of market share.

The question of how brands continue to remain relevant is one that is central among companies looking to make space for themselves among an ever-shifting consumer base. As companies look to engage the New General Market consumer, Seventh Generation CEO John Replogle said there is one key element uniting companies that are able to endure: Soul.

What can retailers do to create a better proposition for the New General Market? Where are the opportunities? How can retailers and brands work together to cultivate New General Market consumers and foster their success? How can they innovate with purpose and meaning with the common goal of connecting with the New General Market consumer?

Protein bars have been flying off the shelves in mass outlets lately. Sales of nutritional bars were up 3.4% to $2.4 billion for the 52 weeks ended April 16, according to IRI across total U.S. multi-outlets.

Most brands still have a long way to go to live up to the promise of personalized, 1-to-1 relationships with customers that the Internet was supposed to facilitate, according to Evan Neufeld, VP of intelligence at benchmarking firm L2.

The Makeup Show NYC kicked off in May, with an address from director of artistry James Vincent. As a makeup artist with decades of experience working in every facet of the industry, Vincent offered a firsthand account of the trends that are fueling social media, driving sales and shaping product development.

Retailers and their suppliers are squandering opportunities to grow their businesses together strategically, a former Target executive told attendees at the third annual New General Market Summit, hosted by Drug Store News and Mack Elevation. “The discussion between retail and CPGs has been reduced to one issue only: How much money are you going to give me? How much cost reduction can we get?” said Daniel Duty, founder and CEO of Minneapolis-based Conlego Consulting.