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PALO ALTO, Calif. — Speck recently launched a line of cases for the iPad Mini. New CandyShell cases have a hard outer shell in a stylish glossy finish and a soft interior that absorbs shock from bumps. A raised bezel protects the iPad's screen and rubberized covers shield its buttons.

Also new, Speck's Smart-Shell for iPad Mini protects the back of the Mini, securing the Smart Cover in place when open so the tablet can lay flat from edge to spine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in early January reported a slight drop in influenza-like illnesses across the country, but even so the season was still going strong. The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness for the week ended Jan. 19 was 4.3%, above the national baseline of 2.2%.

Shifting patients away from hospital emergency rooms and into retail-based and urgent care walk-in clinics can significantly lower healthcare costs, improve access to care and reduce the impact of such chronic diseases as diabetes and hyperlipidemia, two health benefits experts asserted in a recent online presentation.

Skin care products, including facial moisturizers and facial anti-aging products, experienced an uptick in sales, and the growth is expected to continue going forward as baby boomers help fuel sales and shoppers indulge in small luxuries.

According to data from SymphonyIRI Group, sales of skin care — which includes acne treatments, body anti-aging, depilatories, facial anti-aging, facial cleansers and facial moisturizers and fade/bleach — rose nearly 2.5% to about $3.53 billion for the 52 weeks ended Dec. 2 at total 
U.S. multi-outlets.

SPRING, Texas — Xtreme Lashes is looking to revolutionize the way lash extension wearers manage their daily anti-aging eye care regimen with the new Total Eye Repair Serum, which is positioned as the first and only anti-aging eye care treatment compatible with semi-permanent 
eyelash extensions.

While Total Eye Repair Serum is ideal for lash wearers, non-lash wearers also can use the serum, which features a microlift complex to improve and tone the texture of the skin. It also is designed for use on both the eyelids and the under eye area.

MIDDLETON, Tenn. — Fred’s Super Dollar is testing a smaller box Fred’s, complete with a pharmacy, as a potential growth engine going forward.

It’s half the size of a typical 16,000-sq.-ft. Fred’s location, with a lot of merchandising emphasis being placed on the Fred’s pharmacy. Pharmacy is seen as a growth catalyst for the company; 36.4% of Fred’s sales are comprised of prescription medicines, the Memphis-based retailer stated.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is putting all the pieces in place in anticipation of its inaugural Total Store Expo to be held this August in Las Vegas.

NEW YORK — A recent survey commissioned by Dannon found that 68% of consumers believe certain probiotics help regulate the digestive system, yet one-third of Americans agree that they don’t get enough probiotics in their average daily diets.

That suggests an upside for an already hot category — sales of probiotics were up 16.2% across all channels to $232 million for the 52 weeks ended Oct. 28, according to SymphonyIRI Group data.

SHAWNEE MISSION, Kan. — Bayer HealthCare’s Animal Health Division recently introduced Resultix, a spray-on formula that kills attached or crawling ticks. Ticks can infest pets in very large numbers. Resultix is an easy-to-use spray formula that works by dissolving the outer wax layer that covers a tick’s hard shell, killing the parasite within three hours.

Resultix can safely be used as often as needed on crawling or attached ticks. The product is available in an easy-to-transport 20-mL bottle.

GlaxoSmithKline’s Alli is back. And while the brand is still slightly down versus year-ago sales  — Alli posted a sales decline of 8.9% to $13.9 million across all channels for the 12 weeks ended Nov. 4, according to SymphonyIRI Group — overall, the category is trending up 15% in quarterly sales increases. The recent resumption of marketing efforts behind Alli coupled with recent New Year’s resolutions should maintain Alli’s position as the top-selling diet-aid tablet, and the only OTC option in the category.

With sleep aids rising from the floor level shelf across several analgesic planograms, the category that features several dietary supplement players is becoming more prominent. Sales of melatonin, the natural ingredient most often associated with calming and sleep, were up 35.8% to $123.9 million for the 52 weeks ended Oct. 28, according to SymphonyIRI Group across its total U.S. multi-outlet data set.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Sabra Dipping Co. has added a new Grab N Go pack featuring Sabra’s Homestyle Medium Salsa and Tostitos Bite Size Rounds tortilla chips to its lineup of popular Grab N Go fresh snacks.

The new product marks the first time Sabra has offered its refrigerated salsa in a single serving size. Sabra salsas are made from hand-selected tomatoes that are combined with chunky vegetables, herbs and spices. Suggested retail on the new product is $2.99.