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.


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

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.


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

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

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.



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.


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

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%.


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.


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.

Health still is a priority for Americans, as sugary cereals are declining and cereals with health benefits, like whole grains, vitamins and minerals, are experiencing slow but steady growth.