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November 29, 2012
Prestige sets see double-digit gains

Beauty market research company NPD Group recently reported that prestige gift sets were once again on the rise within U.S. department stores.


Beauty market research company NPD Group recently reported that prestige gift sets were once again on the rise within U.S. department stores.


While all prestige gift sets saw double-digit gains, the greatest lift was reported in makeup gift sets. Between January and October 2012, total makeup gift sets rose 26% to $116 million compared with the January to 
October 2011 period.


Total skin care gift sets increased 23% compared with the year-ago period to reach $276 million.


Total sales of fragrance gift sets climbed 10% to $479 million versus 
last year.


November 29, 2012
Target comps tumble 1% in November

The retailer saw a worse than expected drop in same-store sales.

A worse than expected 1% decline in November same store sales indicates the holiday season is off to a slow start at Target. The 1% decline was substantially worse than the low single digit increase the company forecast at the start of the month when it reported a 2.4% increase for October that was toward the low end of guidance.

The November weakness suggests traffic trends may be deteriorating at Target, as the company blamed the decline on a decrease in comparable store transactions following that metric’s flat performance in October.

November 29, 2012
Unique skin, hair care needs drive shelf expansion

When it comes to beauty — especially skin care and hair care — there’s no denying that African-Americans represent a tremendous opportunity for manufacturers and retailers.


When it comes to beauty — especially skin care and hair care — there’s no denying that African-Americans represent a tremendous opportunity for manufacturers and retailers.


November 29, 2012
Value rules in freezer

Handheld frozen foods have grown quickly in the last two years, and Mintel expects growth to continue. U.S. retail sales are expected to top $3.8 billion 
by 2016.


Handheld frozen foods have grown quickly in the last two years, and Mintel expects growth to continue. U.S. retail sales are expected to top $3.8 billion 
by 2016.


November 28, 2012
Dr. Reddy's appoints new CFO, head of North America business

Dr. Reddy's Labs has appointed a new CFO and head of its North America business, the generic drug maker said.

HYDERABAD, India — Dr. Reddy's Labs has appointed a new CFO and head of its North America business, the generic drug maker said.

Dr. Reddy's said Umang Vohra will take over the role of EVP and head of generics for North America, starting in January 2013. Vohra has been CFO of Dr. Reddy's for the past four years.

Saumen Chakraborty will take over as CFO of Dr. Reddy's following Vohra's reappointment. Chakraborty is currently president and global head of quality, human resources, information technology and business process excellence.

November 26, 2012
NBTY acquires Balance Bar from private equity firm

Brynwood Partners VI on Monday announced that it has sold its Balance Bar Company, which manufactures nutrition and energy bars, to NBTY.

GREENWICH, Conn. — Brynwood Partners VI on Monday announced that it has sold its Balance Bar Company, which manufactures nutrition and energy bars, to NBTY. 

November 26, 2012
Reckitt Benckiser pursuit of Schiff Nutrition a success; companies sign definitive merger agreement

Reckitt Benckiser successfully wrapped up its pursuit of Schiff Nutrition on Friday with the signing of a definitive merger agreement in a deal valued at $1.4 billion. Bayer officially relinquished its proposed acquisition on the same day.

SLOUGH, England — Reckitt Benckiser successfully wrapped up its pursuit of Schiff Nutrition on Friday with the signing of a definitive merger agreement in a deal valued at $1.4 billion. Bayer officially relinquished its proposed acquisition on the same day. 

November 26, 2012
Retail foot traffic edges up on Black Friday, but sales decline slightly

Retailers saw increased foot traffic this Black Friday, but that didn't generate higher sales, according to ShopperTrak, the world's largest counter of retail foot traffic.

CHICAGO — Retailers saw increased foot traffic this Black Friday, but that didn't generate higher sales, according to ShopperTrak, the world's largest counter of retail foot traffic.

According to ShopperTrak's analysis, when compared to Black Friday 2011, retail foot traffic rose 3.5%, to more than 307.67 million store visits. However, retail sales decreased 1.8%, with shoppers spending an estimated $11.2 billion on Friday, compared to $11.4 billion last year.

November 20, 2012
Fred's looks to grow through Diplomat Specialty partnership and Drug and Dollar concept pharmacy

Any trickle-down of an improving economy hasn't trickled down to Fred's consumer base, Bruce Efird, Fred's CEO, told analysts Tuesday morning in discussing the discounter's third-quarter results.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Any trickle-down of an improving economy hasn't trickled down to Fred's consumer base, Bruce Efird, Fred's CEO, told analysts Tuesday morning in discussing the discounter's third-quarter results. "During the third quarter we continue to see generally weak economic conditions throughout the Southeast which are clearly weighing heavily on our customers and influencing how they shop for their basic needs," he said. "It's more evident that things are not getting better for our core customers." 

November 20, 2012
Report: Bayer will not raise offer for Schiff Nutrition as negotiations continue

Bayer will not be raising its offer for Schiff Nutrition to match or exceed last week's bid from Reckitt Benckiser, Reuters reported Tuesday morning.

NEW YORK — Bayer will not be raising its offer for Schiff Nutrition to match or exceed last week's bid from Reckitt Benckiser, Reuters reported Tuesday morning. 

Bayer's bid is still active, however, and is in discussions with Schiff to acquire the company for its original evaluation of $1.2 billion. Reckitt Benckiser bid $1.4 billion. 

To read the Reuters report, click here. 

November 19, 2012
Men’s hair coloring, shaving sales increase

The beauty segment continues to celebrate the success of several stars, including nail polish, and men’s grooming is no exception. In fact, industry eyes are once again zeroing in on this vibrant category, as sales enjoy an uptick in such segments as men’s hair coloring and grooming/shaving.

The beauty segment continues to celebrate the success of several stars, including nail polish, and men’s grooming is no exception. In fact, industry eyes are once again zeroing in on this vibrant category, as sales enjoy an uptick in such segments as men’s hair coloring and grooming/shaving.

November 19, 2012
Product innovation pushes depilatories toward growth

Depilatories continue to enjoy strong growth, thanks in large part to product innovation and new entrants to the segment.

Depilatories continue to enjoy strong growth, thanks in large part to product innovation and new entrants to the segment.

According to data from SymphonyIRI Group, a Chicago-based market research firm, sales of depilatories rose about 13% for the 12 weeks ended Oct. 7 at total U.S. multi-outlets, which covers supermarkets, drug stores, mass-market retailers (including Walmart), military commissaries, and select club and dollar retail chains.

November 19, 2012
Sears Holdings moves toward member-based business model

Sears Holdings, the parent company of Kmart and Sears, is looking to shift its business model to one that focuses on members of its Shop Your Way program and their shopping experience, the company said in its third quarter 2012 earnings report.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings, the parent company of Kmart and Sears, is looking to shift its business model to one that focuses on members of its Shop Your Way program and their shopping experience, the company said in its third-quarter 2012 earnings report.

November 19, 2012
Widespread acne drives sales of treatments

With some 40 million to 50 million people in the United States battling acne, it is no surprise that sales of acne treatments continue to be on the rise.

With some 40 million to 50 million people in the United States battling acne, it is no surprise that sales of acne treatments continue to be on the rise.

According to data from SymphonyIRI Group, a Chicago-based market research firm, sales of acne treatments rose 0.24% for the 12 weeks ended Oct. 7 at total U.S. multi-outlets, which covers supermarkets, drug stores, mass market retailers (including Walmart), military commissaries, and select club and dollar retail chains.

November 16, 2012
FTC clears Valeant-Medicis deal

The Federal Trade Commission has approved a deal by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International to buy a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based drug maker.

MONTREAL — The Federal Trade Commission has approved a deal by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International to buy a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based drug maker.

Valeant said the FRC had finished reviewing its planned acquisition of Medicis Pharmaceutical and allowed the waiting period required under merger and acquisition laws to terminate early.

Valeant said the deal is still subject to conditions like the approval of Medicis' stockholders, who will have a special meeting on Dec. 7. Medicis makes drugs for asthma, fungal infections and skin conditions like acne and eczema.

November 16, 2012
Harris Teeter announces quarterly dividend and special dividend

Harris Teeter Supermarkets on Thursday declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.15 per share to be paid on Jan. 1, to shareholders of record on Dec. 14.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Harris Teeter Supermarkets on Thursday declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.15 per share to be paid on Jan. 1, to shareholders of record on Dec. 14. This represents a $0.01 increase in the quarterly dividend amount, from the $0.14 per share that the company paid in previous quarters.

Harris Teeter also announced that its board declared a special dividend of $0.50 per share to be paid on Dec. 31 to shareholders of record on Dec. 14.

November 16, 2012
Hostess Brands to close down, sell assets

Hostess Brands, the maker of Twinkies and Ho Ho's, is closing down amid a union strike that the company said forced it to halt operations.

IRVING, Texas — Hostess Brands, the maker of Twinkies and Ho Ho's, is closing down amid a union strike that the company said forced it to halt operations.

November 16, 2012
Reckitt Benckiser ups the ante for Schiff business with a 23.5% premium to Bayer buyout offer

The battle for Schiff Nutrition is on. Reckitt Benckiser on Friday commenced its previously announced tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Schiff Nutrition — a provider of branded vitamins, nutrition supplements and nutrition bars in the United States and elsewhere — for $42 per share in cash, or approximately $1.4 billion.

SLOUGH, England — The battle for Schiff Nutrition is on. Reckitt Benckiser on Friday commenced its previously announced tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Schiff Nutrition — a provider of branded vitamins, nutrition supplements and nutrition bars in the United States and elsewhere — for $42 per share in cash, or approximately $1.4 billion.

November 15, 2012
Consumers bite into classic, new cookies

After several lackluster years, cookie sales were up in 2011 and are likely to show slight gains this year.

After several lackluster years, cookie sales were up in 2011 and are likely to show slight gains this year. The category was buoyed largely by sales of basic cookies, according to a recent report from Mintel, while premium cookie sales were hurt by a tight economy and increased media attention on America’s obesity epidemic. Mintel forecasts more growth for the premium segment from 2013 to 2016.


November 15, 2012
Despite deceleration in sales momentum, Walmart expects profitable holiday season

Walmart maintained an optimistic outlook for the holiday season despite a 1.5% third-quarter comp increase that reflected a modest deceleration in sales momentum seen earlier this year.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart maintained an optimistic outlook for the holiday season despite a 1.5% third-quarter comp increase that reflected a modest deceleration in sales momentum seen earlier this year.

November 15, 2012
Diabetes management earns front-end spot

As more Americans join the ranks of diabetics, the opportunity to target these consumers at the shelf becomes more crucial. 


As more Americans join the ranks of diabetics, the opportunity to target these consumers at the shelf becomes more crucial. 


Retailers like Rite Aid are using pull-box displays that allow customers to physically handle a blood-glucose meter before they make that purchase decision. That kind of consumer engagement, evident throughout Rite Aid’s latest Wellness format store, for example, helps anchor diabetes as a front-end destination center. 


November 15, 2012
Holiday season to bring hi-tech fun with apps

This holiday season will be both a splurge and save season for toys. Parents will splurge for one or two toys, but will round out their holiday shopping with less expensive items, according to Adrienne Appell, a spokesperson for the Toy Industry Association.


This holiday season will be both a splurge and save season for toys. Parents will splurge for one or two toys, but will round out their holiday shopping with less expensive items, according to Adrienne Appell, a spokesperson for the Toy Industry Association.


November 15, 2012
Intimacy positioned more as health care

RH Labs just launched a line of intimacy health products endorsed by Laura Berman, a well-known sex and relationship expert who hosts the show “In The Bedroom” on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Berman collaborated on the design of every product in her line, the company noted.


RH Labs just launched a line of intimacy health products endorsed by Laura Berman, a well-known sex and relationship expert who hosts the show “In The Bedroom” on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Berman collaborated on the design of every product in her line, the company noted.


It’s the kind of endorsement that will heighten the importance of intimacy health as part of an overall healthcare regimen. 


Sales of intimacy enhancement devices were up 24.3% to $4.1 million over the 12 weeks ended Sept. 9, according to SymphonyIRI group data.

 

November 15, 2012
Kroger announces merger with specialty pharmacy Axium Pharmacy

Kroger on Thursday announced it will acquire the outstanding shares of Axium Pharmacy Holdings, a leading specialty pharmacy, and merge the two companies.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday announced it will acquire the outstanding shares of Axium Pharmacy Holdings, a leading specialty pharmacy, and merge the two companies.

The partnership gives Kroger significantly enhanced capabilities to serve customers who require complex drug therapies, and to deliver those therapies at a greater value to customers and insurance payers, the grocer stated. Financial terms were not disclosed.

November 15, 2012
New products provide value-added benefits

Sales of facial anti-aging products continued to slip — perhaps as consumers continue to watch their spending or try to navigate the inundated anti-aging market — while sales of facial moisturizers experienced an uptick, according to data from SymphonyIRI Group.


Sales of facial anti-aging products continued to slip — perhaps as consumers continue to watch their spending or try to navigate the inundated anti-aging market — while sales of facial moisturizers experienced an uptick, according to data from SymphonyIRI Group.