Content about Category Reviews

October 11, 2011
Redbox reigns over rentals

Redbox remains the dominant player in kiosk DVD rentals with an average of 55 million rentals monthly in second quarter 2011.

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. — Redbox remains the dominant player in kiosk DVD rentals with an average of 55 million rentals monthly in second quarter 2011. The company, which built its market dominance on $1 rentals, is testing price increases in some markets. Redbox and Foursquare are partnering to allow consumers to use their smartphones to check availability and reserve titles at their nearest kiosk.


Competitor NDR is experimenting with DVD sales as well as rentals from its kiosks, and may expand the concept.

October 11, 2011
‘Regular’ sales increases

Sales in the digestives aisle going forward look positive, especially as an aging population begins paying closer attention to healthy diets, including the right amount of dietary fiber to keep things “regular” and supplementation with probiotics for overall digestive health.


Sales in the digestives aisle going forward look positive, especially as an aging population begins paying closer attention to healthy diets, including the right amount of dietary fiber to keep things “regular” and supplementation with probiotics for overall digestive health.


September 12, 2011
At-home trend colors segment

It is no surprise that hair coloring continues to see growth at food, drug and mass as beauty mavens increasingly turn to more cost-effective, at-home beauty regimens 
and manufacturers continue to turn up the notch on innovation, developing such products as no-drip foam formulas.


It is no surprise that hair coloring continues to see growth at food, drug and mass as beauty mavens increasingly turn to more cost-effective, at-home beauty regimens 
and manufacturers continue to turn up the notch on innovation, developing such products as no-drip foam formulas.


As anticipated, sales of hair coloring 
at food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart) 
were up 5.2% for the 12 weeks ended Aug. 7 to $254.3 million, according to SymphonyIRI Group.


September 12, 2011
Brushing up on good habits

Innovation — and a bit of fun for the little ones — is the name of the game when it comes to manual and power toothbrushes as manufacturers look to grab consumers’ attention.


Innovation — and a bit of fun for the little ones — is the name of the game when it comes to manual and power toothbrushes as manufacturers look to grab consumers’ attention.

Sales of both manual and power toothbrushes are on the rise, albeit not as robust as other segments within the oral care category. According to SymphonyIRI Group, sales of manual toothbrushes rose 2.7% to $466.9 million at food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart) during the 52 weeks ended Aug. 7. During that same period, sales of power toothbrushes rose 2% to $216 million.

September 12, 2011
Consumers shop sparingly, late for BTS

New worries about the economy are affecting back-to-school shopping this fall.

New worries about the economy are affecting back-to-school shopping this fall. A recent National Retail Federation survey revealed that when shopping for back-to-school 2011, 44% of respondents said they were spending less overall, 37% were using coupons more often and half were shopping for sales more frequently.


Retailers promoted heavi­ly as consumers shopped late. Slightly more consumers said they would be shopping drug stores this year (21.1% versus 19.5% last year).

 

September 12, 2011
Cooking up sales growth

Americans spend three to four hours a day in the kitchen, so housewares — particularly kitchenware — can be a key gift category for drug stores.

Americans spend three to four hours a day in the kitchen, so housewares — particularly kitchenware — can be a key gift category for drug stores. The channel had a 4.2% share of the housewares business, according to the International Housewares Association’s “2010 State of the Industry Report.” Much of the channel’s sales come from cookware, bakeware and kitchen tools.

September 12, 2011
Health a factor in single-serve snacks

The back-to-school season brings a focus on single-serve snacks, and healthy snacks become a bigger part of the business every year.

The back-to-school season brings a focus on single-serve snacks, and healthy snacks become a bigger part of the business every year. A recent report from Mintel revealed that while children are a major influence on the buying of multipack/bulk salty snacks, “given the increased concerns regarding nutrition, manufacturers can appeal to parents with products offering a better-for-you selling proposition.” Christine Brown, a spokeswoman for Natural Snacks said the company, which focuses on all-natural products, sees “a double-digit spike once school starts.”


September 12, 2011
Moms reach for safety, efficacy in cough-cold

As reported in March, the safety and efficacy debate sparked by the spate of recent recalls across kids’ cough-cold offerings has created a purchase paradigm where moms are reaching for any safer-yet-still-works products that they can get their hands on.

As reported in March, the safety and efficacy debate sparked by the spate of recent recalls across kids’ cough-cold offerings has created a purchase paradigm where moms are reaching for any safer-yet-still-works products that they can get their hands on. And many times that means a homeopathic option.


September 12, 2011
Seasonal, novelty sweets flavor sales

Consumers still have a sweet tooth despite a sour economy. U.S. confectionery sales at food, drug and mass stores continue to grow at a pace of 4.2%, outpacing overall store sales, according to data from the National Confectioners Association.


Consumers still have a sweet tooth despite a sour economy. U.S. confectionery sales at food, drug and mass stores continue to grow at a pace of 4.2%, outpacing overall store sales, according to data from the National Confectioners Association.


Chocolate is the key growth driver, with sales up nearly 8% in the drug channel, according to SymphonyIRI Group data for the 52-week period ended July 11. Sweet and savory combinations are one of the segment’s top trends, according to NCA.

September 12, 2011
Suppliers step into more female-friendly goods


The opportunity across insoles continues to be a direct appeal to that female shopper.


The opportunity across insoles continues to be a direct appeal to that female shopper. Manufacturers have long acknowledged that the female head-of-household historically has been the primary purchaser in this category, even when most of the insole products were skewed decidedly toward fitting within a man’s shoe.


September 12, 2011
Taking it to-go

Portable oral care continues to experience strong growth and, if prior sales periods are any indication of what’s ahead, the segment will likely continue to flourish.

Portable oral care continues to experience strong growth and, if prior sales periods are any indication of what’s ahead, the segment will likely continue to flourish.

Sales of portable oral care for the 52 weeks ended Aug. 7 at food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart) experienced double-digit growth, climbing 43% to $13.2 million, according to SymphonyIRI Group.

September 12, 2011
Toothpastes help polish sales

The expansive oral care market continues to swell as manufacturers further develop toothpastes that promise to provide specific results.

The expansive oral care market continues to swell as manufacturers further develop toothpastes that promise to provide specific results.

According to SymphonyIRI Group, toothpaste sales for the 52 weeks ended Aug. 7 at food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart) rose nearly 5% to $1.35 billion. Those toothpastes that experienced the greatest growth were those that touted such benefits as whitening and easing tooth sensitivity.

September 12, 2011
Whitening products brighten segment

The oral care segment is a mature market — no doubt about it — but when it comes to tooth-whitening products, consumers have demonstrated that they will continue to snap up products that promise a brighter, whiter smile.

The oral care segment is a mature market — no doubt about it — but when it comes to tooth-whitening products, consumers have demonstrated that they will continue to snap up products that promise a brighter, whiter smile.

August 24, 2011
Awareness shines in sun care

As expected, sales of sun care products experienced a boost in the most recent 12 weeks, according to SymphonyIRI Group, and it is likely that a greater consumer awareness of the dangers of the sun’s harmful rays and product innovation helped fuel growth.


As expected, sales of sun care products experienced a boost in the most recent 12 weeks, according to SymphonyIRI Group, and it is likely that a greater consumer awareness of the dangers of the sun’s harmful rays and product innovation helped fuel growth.


August 24, 2011
Back-to-school deals target shoppers looking for low costs


Retailers, expecting thrifty behavior from consumers, are starting the back-to-school season with early promotions. “Retailers are already running door-buster promotions,” said Perry Smith, an analyst with the NPD Group.


Retailers, expecting thrifty behavior from consumers, are starting the back-to-school season with early promotions. “Retailers are already running door-buster promotions,” said Perry Smith, an analyst with the NPD Group. “The consumer has been holding out for last-minute shopping hoping for the best deals. In some cases, people are shopping after school starts.”


August 24, 2011
Devices transform shelf


The expansion of intimacy health devices at mass is transforming the intimacy health segment into some pretty significant profit centers. “The total vibrations category currently has up to $1 billion in retail sales with no clear branded leader,” Church & Dwight’s CEO James Craigie told analysts earlier this month.


The expansion of intimacy health devices at mass is transforming the intimacy health segment into some pretty significant profit centers. “The total vibrations category currently has up to $1 billion in retail sales with no clear branded leader,” Church & Dwight’s CEO James Craigie told analysts earlier this month, noting that a line of full-sized personal massagers under the Trojan banner has launched through all classes of trade. “This is a category of new white space for our Trojan brand to enter,” he said.


August 24, 2011
Energy drinks maintain momentum

Energy drinks are still showing strong growth. A recent report from Beverage Marketing Corp. found that “energy drinks handily outperformed the overall beverage market,” although the segment remains a small component of the category.

NEW YORK — Energy drinks are still showing strong growth. A recent report from Beverage Marketing Corp. found that “energy drinks handily outperformed the overall beverage market,” although the segment remains a small component of the category.

August 24, 2011
Gluten-free food growth spurs shift to mainstream


Gluten-free foods and beverages aren’t just for people with celiac disease anymore.


Gluten-free foods and beverages aren’t just for people with celiac disease anymore. A recent study from Packaged Facts reported “gluten-free foods and beverages have quickly transformed into a mainstream sensation, embraced by consumers out of necessity and as a personal choice toward achieving a healthier way to live.”


August 24, 2011
Natural, organic products
 grow in baby care

Many consumers continue to express desire for natural and organic personal care products, and that holds especially true when it comes to baby care.



Many consumers continue to express desire for natural and organic personal care products, and that holds especially true when it comes to baby care.


Parents understandably are cautious about the products they put on their baby’s skin and often seek natural or organic baby care products that are free of harsh ingredients. As evidenced by the slew of natural and organic baby care products that continue to hit the market, manufacturers and distributors are heeding the call.


August 24, 2011
Preservatives are nothing to sneeze at

A wet spring has made for ideal allergen-creating conditions — the growth of ragweed and an increase in mold. According to a Quest Diagnostics study, sensitization to common ragweed has grown 15% nationally since 2000, while mold grew 12%.


A wet spring has made for ideal allergen-creating conditions — the growth of ragweed and an increase in mold. According to a Quest Diagnostics study, sensitization to common ragweed has grown 15% nationally since 2000, while mold grew 12%.


August 24, 2011
Shoppers fetching natural dog food

Pet lovers want the best for their furry friends. Last year, Americans spent $55 billion on their pets, according to Packaged Facts, and the upward trend shows no signs of slowing.

NEW YORK — Pet lovers want the best for their furry friends. Last year, Americans spent $55 billion on their pets, according to Packaged Facts, and the upward trend shows no signs of slowing.

One of the brightest spots in the pet category is natural and organic pet food. While Packaged Facts estimated that the market segment accounts for about 7% of pet food sales, the market research firm sees a huge upside to the segment.

July 25, 2011
At-home trend helps color grow

It is no secret that consumers have changed their mindset and shopping behavior in the wake of the weakened economy. Today’s shoppers continue to have a greater focus on more cost-effective at-home beauty solutions, and hair coloring is no exception.


It is no secret that consumers have changed their mindset and shopping behavior in the wake of the weakened economy. Today’s shoppers continue to have a greater focus on more cost-effective at-home beauty solutions, and hair coloring is no exception.


Sales of hair coloring rose more than 5% to $1.08 billion at food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart) for the 52 weeks ended June 12, according to SymphonyIRI Group.


During that period, women’s hair coloring rose close to 6% to $943.7 million, while men’s hair coloring rose 1.4% to $140.7 million.


July 25, 2011
Boiron flexes muscle naturally

Boiron is making headway introducing a whole new natural external pain reliever into the mass outlet, having earlier this year won distribution through Walgreens and Duane Reade of its arnica gel Arnicare.

NEWTON SQUARE, Pa. — Boiron is making headway introducing a whole new natural external pain reliever into the mass outlet, having earlier this year won distribution through Walgreens and Duane Reade of its arnica gel Arnicare. And Arnicare already is the natural channel’s fastest-growing homeopathic topical pain relief brand, experiencing growth of 67.5% against sales of $5.9 million for the 52 weeks ended April 17, according to Nielsen. 


July 25, 2011
Branding in frozen foods, economy heat up sales

Consumers eating more meals at home and innovation from manufacturers have led to a spike in sales of frozen convenience foods. A number of frozen segments showed double-digit increases in the 52-week period ended May 15.


Consumers eating more meals at home and innovation from manufacturers have led to a spike in sales of frozen convenience foods. A number of frozen segments showed double-digit increases in the 52-week period ended May 15. Dollar sales of frozen breakfast foods were up nearly 9% across food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart), according to SymphonyIRI 
Group data.


July 25, 2011
Drug stores experiment with As Seen On TV items


As Seen On TV products have gained valuable shelf space at drug chains, becoming a formidable department instead of just an item-driven business.



As Seen On TV products have gained valuable shelf space at drug chains, becoming a formidable department instead of just an item-driven business.


Its evolution is thanks to industry leaders Telebrands, Ontel, IdeaVillage (each individually owned by one of three Khubani brothers) and Allstar Products Group. Together they account for a significant portion of sales for the category whose customers are early adopters and seek new, innovative and value-driven products.