Content about Category Reviews

While cough-cold season 2012-2013 will go down in the record books as one of the better seasons in recent memory, the spring allergy season has been delayed into May thanks to recent storm systems traveling across the central United States into the Northeast that have triggered a "faux spring." Temperatures rose briefly and dipped, causing pollen counts to grow and then fall.

For the 52 weeks ended April 21, sales of the three leading allergy tablets were all down: Zyrtec down by 3.8%; Claritin down 1.2%; and Allegra down 14.9%.

Dry shampoos may not necessarily be a new innovation, and usage is far from that of traditional shampoo, but don't underestimate this niche as dry shampoo introductions are on the rise around the globe, according to recent data.

According to new research from Mintel Beauty & Personal Care, dry shampoo introductions accounted for just 1% of global shampoo launch activity in 2008, but by 2012 it accounted for 3%. It also is on track to surpass 2012 levels in 2013.

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — Skin care brand Amlactin from Upsher-Smith has announced that there's a new power couple in town: alpha-hydroxy acids and essential ceramides. Enter Amlactin Cerapeutic Restoring body lotion.

Making its retail debut at select Walmart and Walgreens stores, Amlactin Cerapeutic contains the patented ultraplex formula to gently exfoliate, as well as three skin-identical ceramides that work together to strengthen skin's protective moisture barrier for softer, more resilient skin.

AKRON, Ohio — With the successful launch of Purell Advanced hand sanitizer last year, Purell Consumer has helped bring some excitement back to the category.

Sales of Purell's core brand were up 28% to $31.1 million across total U.S. multi-outlets for the 52 weeks ended March 24, according to IRi, with Purell Advanced adding more than $10.3 million.

Whether it is argan oil, jojoba oil, olive oil or kukui oil, incorporating oil into a skin care regimen is one of the hottest beauty trends.

In fact, according to a recent blog post, titled "You Look Like Sisters!" by research company NPD Group, in prestige skin care alone, sales of facial oils in 2012 grew by double digits over 2011, and more than doubled since 2008.

Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy introduced in 2012 its new Natural Beauty Bar at its Pacific Palisades location.

Offering a variety of spa services, the Natural Beauty Bar is designed to serve as a key expansion of Pharmaca's beauty offerings, and further establish Pharmaca as the natural beauty destination in Los Angeles. The Bar offers waxing and threading services, as well as makeup and lash applications, along with its collection of natural facial care products and cosmetics.

Looking to further tap into the high-growth nail category, CVS/pharmacy unveiled in late 2012 its Nail HQ Kiosk. The Nail HQ Kiosk is available at more than 2,000 CVS/pharmacy locations.

New technology and types of introductions could bring some heat to the frozen food category. Frozen food sales have been flat to declining for the past few years, according to a recent study from Packaged Facts, with nearly all dollar sales gains coming from higher prices or new products rather than increased consumer demand.

Consumers are snacking more than ever, but they aren't necessarily reaching for a bag of chips and a can of soda.

"To consumers, a snack can be anything," said Lynn Dornblaser, director of innovation and insight at Mintel. "In fact, when we ask people in the United States what snacks they consume, their top five responses are fresh fruit, cheese, cereal, ice cream and yogurt. As you can see, healthy choices dominate." Chocolate, she said, comes in sixth.

Programs incentivizing health care won't be effective if they're not intuitive and easy to use. That's why Medagate's MasterCard Dual Value Health Card, which enables employers and health plans to combine a member/employee healthcare funding purse with a restricted-spend purse for targeted items and incentives, is so important.

While the recession has caused some pet lovers to cut back spending on toys and treats, when it comes to their pets' health, consumers aren't skimping. A recent Packaged Facts consumer survey shows that 43% of dog owners and 36% of cat owners purchase some type of specialty nutritional formula pet food or supplemental nutritional products. In 2012, sales totaled about $1.3 billion, according to Packaged Facts.

Joel Carden, EVP of Pacific World, recently talked with Drug Store News about the high-growth nail category to share his insights on how retailers can successfully enter the at-home gel polish space and how Pacific World's gel polish technology, SensatioNail, is helping to fuel growth.

DSN: In looking at the data, it is clear that nail continues to be the star in cosmetics. Can you elaborate on the growth within the nail segment?