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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Natrol Launches Stress Complex for Sleepy Consumers
Natrol, Inc. plans to launch Natrol Stress Complex, which helps consumers manage their stress and get a restful night’s sleep, into the $10 million sleep aid category. What strategies/tactics can…
Winn-Dixie Rewards Customer Loyalty
Winn-Dixie will launch the new Customer Reward Card, the first such reward program of its kind by a major Florida grocer. Has Winn-Dixie turned it around?
Coke Targets Hispanics with U.S. Return of Fanta
After 20 years on the sidelines, Coca-Cola is trying to gain a new foothold for Fanta in the burgeoning Hispanic population in America. Will Coca-Cola be successful with its relaunch…
FDI Blurs Boundaries with FMI
The Board of Governors of Food Distributors International (FDI) approved a plan for future trade association representation of its membership under which wholesale grocery companies will join an umbrella organization…
Survey Finds Americans Eating In More Often
The fall of 2001 was difficult for the dining industry because Americans ate out less often. The decline appears to be due to broad social factors such as the state…
Whole Foods Market Lights the Way with Solar Power
Whole Foods Market is the nation’s first major food retailer to introduce solar energy as its primary lighting power source. Which of the alternatives to petroleum-based energy sources is…
Day Care Infection Control May Save Millions
A study shows that the introduction of a basic infection-control program in day care centers could significantly reduce the amount of sickness and its associated costs by approximately 70 percent…
Experienced Net Surfers Get Busier Shopping Online
Two reports set for release present complementary reasons that now might not be such a bad time to be an e-tailer. What have retailers learned from the demise of so…
Credit Cards’ Boost E-security
More than 18 percent of 1,000 online consumers polled by research firm GartnerG2 either already use or are planning to use new protocols from Visa and MasterCard that require a…
Stop & Shop, Pathmark Try to Buy Big V Stores
Pathmark Stores, Inc., has signed an agreement with The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company to acquire nine Big V Shop-Rite supermarkets in conjunction with Stop & Shop’s proposal to acquire…
Most Americans Save Diets for Spring
It isn’t until March that Americans get serious about cutting calories. Should retailers/manufacturers of “diet” food change their promotional calendars based on the “Eating Patterns in America” report?
Consumers Cautiously Warm up to Irradiated Beef
Sixty percent of participating consumers were willing to purchase irradiated beef burgers or ground beef if they cost the same as non-irradiated. Have the events of the past year played…
Intrusive Web Pop-ups Earn Their Keep
Industry experts say that intrusive web pop-up ads are here to stay, mainly because they work. As the trend to retailer-specific marketing grows, should these plans include the use…
Brewers Applaud Vertical Underage Drivers License
A broad coalition representing the three-tier system of malt beverage distribution in Ohio praised Lt. Governor Maureen O’Connor for her efforts to implement Ohio’s vertical licensing initiative that will help…
On-the-Go Foods Grab Research Attention
Giant food companies are betting on you multi-tasking with your mouth full, and are introducing more foods that meet growing consumer demand for speed, convenience and portability. Is a price…
Soda Growth Slows: Diet, Flavored & New Out-Pace Cola
Diet outpaced regular, flavored soft drinks grew faster than colas and Austria’s Red Bull joined the ranks of the top 10 U.S. carbonated soft drink companies led by Coke and…
Sentencing of Grand Union Embezzler Postponed, Again
For a second time in two months, federal authorities have postponed the sentencing of former Grand Union Co. executive Donald C. Vaillancourt, who has admitted embezzling more than $2 million…
Starbucks Expands Internet Service, International Cafes
Starbucks plans on extensive international expansion, and to expand wireless service provided by VoiceStream to 70 percent of its cafés during the next several years. Does Starbucks risk overexposing its…
National Underage Drinking Findings Carded
A major substance abuse think tank acknowledged that its alarming claim — that youths ages 12 to 20 consume 25 percent of all alcohol in the United States — was…
Health Care Ranks in Employment Benefits
Even during the recession, more than half of U.S. workers consider health-care coverage more important than compensation. Which retailers and CPG companies are doing the best job of using benefits…
Harry’s Closes Last Stores In A Hurry
The last of the Harry’s In A Hurry stores will close next week, marking the final chapter in the company’s tumultuous history. Why did Harry’s In A Hurry fail?…
