New Products

In the late 1980s, “Star Trek: The Next Generation” introduced viewers to the replicator, which could make food, beverages and other items materialize out of thin air.

The idea of Captain Picard instantaneously getting his favorite brew by telling a machine “Tea, Earl Grey, hot” won’t happen any time soon. But with the advent of 3-D printing, it’s a lot closer to reality than one might think.

NEW YORK — ILEX Consumer Products Group last year launched amid the chaos of Black Friday its “Di-Gel Comfort Zone” — complementary, clean restrooms located in downtown Manhattan to help alleviate some of the discomfort associated with shopping the day after Thanksgiving. In the past year, the antacid, anti-gas combo has rocketed to the No. 5 spot of antacid liquid sales, generating $2.2 million on growth of 19,904.6%.

Sales of personal lubricants were down 5.2% to $207.5 million in sales for the 52 weeks ended Oct. 6, according to IRI across total U.S. multi-outlets. A big part of that decrease is due to new Food and Drug Administration regulations that require lubricant manufacturers to submit a 501k medical device application for approval.

SLIDELL, La. — Brock Beauty is helping women nourish hair from the inside out with its Hairfinity hair growth vitamin supplement.

Infused with such ingredients as vitamin D, B-12, an exclusive Capilsana Complex, niacin and biotin, Hairfinity promises to deliver faster growing, longer and stronger hair.

Recognizing the natural hair trend, Hairfinity held in September the Let Your Hair Down Expo!, New York City’s largest natural hair care event, which included a series of panels and workshops on natural hair techniques.

HERSHEY, Pa. — The Hershey Co. is launching the Lancaster brand in January — the first time the company has launched a new brand that’s not a brand extension or acquisition in the past 30 years. The first line to launch will be Lancaster Soft Cremes soft caramels.

Lancaster Soft Cremes will be available in three flavors — caramel, vanilla and caramel, and vanilla and raspberry — in 8-oz. bags for $3.99 and 4-oz. bags that retail for $2.49. 

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The Food and Drug Administration has postponed the time it will decide whether or not to approve an experimental treatment under development by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. for ulcerative colitis, the company said.

WHIPPANY, N.J. — Thanks in part to the launch of Alka-Seltzer Fruit Chews, the Alka-Seltzer brand has experienced a resurgence within the antacid tablet category. Brand sales are up 422.4% to $7.2 million for the 52 weeks ended Oct. 6, according to IRI data across total U.S. multi-outlets.

Overall, sales of intimacy health products are down slightly. Sales of condoms are down 2.1% to $382.6 million, according to IRI for the 52 weeks ended Oct. 6 across total U.S. multi-outlets. Personal lubricant sales were similarly down — falling 5.3% to $207.5 million. Only sales of personal massagers were up 5.6%, but on a relatively tiny base of $25.7 million.