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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Colgate Challenges P&G in Whitening Products
Colgate-Palmolive Co. is set to challenge Procter & Gamble Co.’s lead in the fast-growing at-home teeth-whitening market with its a gel that costs less than half the price of Crest’s…
AMA Cautions Use of Antibacterials
Antibacterial soap and lotion do not prevent infections, and may actually be harmful, new research finds. Will the AMA’s position on antibacterial products hurt the sale of these products? Will…
Organic Customers Found Loyal, Non-Buyers, Uninterested
New research released by ACNielsen shows that organic food buyers are extremely loyal to the category, and intend to keep buying, while non-buyers have virtually no interest in organic products…
Transforming the Grocery Shopping Experience
The biggest problem the supermarket industry faces today is the decline in trip frequency. Is it possible to change the sentiment of consumers from “having to grocery shop” to “wanting…
Hispanics Forego Frequent Shopper Programs
Hispanic households in Los Angeles are much less likely to belong to a grocery store frequent shopper program than non-Hispanics, according to new research from ACNielsen. Do the ACNielsen findings…
Campbell and Gold Medalist Promote Education
Campbell Soup has formed a partnership with Olympic Gold Medalist Sarah Hughes to support education in the Campbell’s Sarah Hughes Scholarship instant win game. In general, will co-marketing a cause-related…
Whole Foods Publishes Cookbook
Whole Foods Market has published The Whole Foods Market Cookbook: A Guide to Natural Foods with 350 Recipes written by Chef Steve Petusevsky and Whole Foods Market team members. What…
Dunkin’ Donuts in Home Depot
Three Home Depot stores soon will have a full-serve Dunkin’ Donuts within their doors, part of a test program. Will Dunkin’ Donuts’ stores become a common site in Home Depot…
Adult Food Not For Kids
Novartis-owned Gerber Products is expected to run a two-page ad in Time magazine Monday that promotes better eating choices for babies. Will the growing media coverage on the detrimental health…
Back-to-School Buying Relies on Students
Merchants might have to rely on the shopping power of young people — the group that appears to be the least affected by the recession — for back-to-school buying. Who…
Kmart Cuts 680 Jobs to Save $66M
Kmart announced a plan to cut costs by immediately eliminating 400 positions at its corporate headquarters and another 50 jobs that provide corporate support. Is Kmart management moving aggressively enough…
Lowe’s Takes Market Share from Home Depot
Shifting to large, edge-of-town warehouse stores later than Home Depot appears to have helped Lowe’s report faster sales growth than the home improvement frontrunner. Is Lowe’s better positioned than Home…
Wegmans’ Sales Weck-ing
The latest innovation from Wegmans comes from the exotic locale of Buffalo, NY – Charlie the Butcher’s “beef on weck”. Is the corporate culture of Wegmans more innovative than…
Marsh Delivers Groceries to Havana
Ranging far outside its heartland base, Marsh International delivered the first direct shipment of U.S. brand name products to Cuba in over 40 years. Should the U.S. lift the Cuban…
Coke Cans Old Classic Design
Coca-Cola has announced that it will be revamping the graphics on Coke Classic cans and bottles beginning in 2003. Does this signal that the company is going to be intensifying…
Scotland’s Davids Losing Fight to American Giant
Asda-Wal-Mart has opened its first supercenter in Scotland and local merchants are worried about their ability to compete. Does the presence of big box retailers add to, detract from…
Healthy Sales Growth to Be Driven by “Nutrajunk” Foods
Marketers have largely overcome the challenge of maintaining the flavor and taste of a food with nutraceutical elements by using new technologies and ingredient implementing techniques, according to a newly…
Winn-Dixie Scores Points with Tickets Deal
Winn-Dixie Stores have agreed to purchase thousands of Jacksonville Jaguar tickets to ensure no home game is blacked out on television this season. What do you think of Winn-Dixie’s decision…
Man to Do Four Years Time for ID Theft Crime
A Cook County, Illinois, Circuit Judge sentenced a Chicago man, who pleaded guilty to four counts of financial identity theft, to four years in prison. The theif used personal information…
Private-Label Nicotine Gum Hits Pharmacies Soon
Watson Pharmaceuticals’ Rugby Laboratories will launch a private-label nicotine gum, which it expects to be available in pharmacies within the next few weeks. Should all retailers that sell tobacco products…
Box Tops for Education Program Doubles
Newstream reports that the General Mills Box Tops for Education is adding new brands, which will double the program’s size. How can retailers build on manufacturer programs like Box…
