Apparently less is more when it comes to mouthwash. According to SymphonyIRI Group data, the mouthwash segment has essentially been flat for the 12 weeks ended June 10, yet there proved to be one shining star in the mix: Listerine Zero.

It’s a landmark switch decision that brings diagnosis of a stigmatized disease state into the self-care arena.

As reported by Drug Store News, toothpastes that aim to better deliver such 
value-added benefits as teeth whitening and relieving tooth sensitivity are resonating with consumers, so the lift in sales of such products comes as little surprise.


Sales of vitamins, totaling almost $3.6 billion, were up 2.7% for the 52 weeks ended May 13, according to SymphonyIRI Group data across food drug and mass (excluding Walmart).


Beauty is not just about making women (and men), well, beautiful. But it is increasingly about providing consumers with solutions that will save them time and money, and, perhaps even more importantly, provide value. And those products that deliver value, help consumers save money and make their lives just a little bit easier stand to win big.

Products and services targeting the Hispanic market will realize much success in the coming years, noted a recently published SymphonyIRI Group “Point of View” report that outlined the growing opportunity in targeting that demographic.

Good news for retailers and manufacturers of back-to-school supplies! A recent PriceGrabber survey found that nearly half of U.S. shoppers plan to spend more dough this BTS season. But wait, there is a catch: The study also found that they don't plan to spend it all at once.

The energy shot business in the mass market still is dominated by one player — Living Essentials’ 5-Hour Energy has almost 90% dollar share — but Sato Pharmaceutical, which boasts its Yunker Energy as the No. 1 energy shot in Japan, is looking to challenge that domination with the launch and support behind its Yunker Energy product across the United States.

A recent study by market research company the NPD Group on the men’s grooming market found that more than 9-in-10 men are using some sort of grooming product today, whether it is a skin care, shave or hair care product.

Cirrus Healthcare Products recently added a little pediatric pizzazz to its line of earplugs for swimming and sound protection with two new character licenses — SpongeBob SquarePants and Hello Kitty.


Whether women are sporting poker-straight hair, rocking sexy beach waves or perfecting soft, elegant curls, it typically requires several styling products to achieve the look and lock it in place.