PHOENIX — One of the centerpieces of GMDC’s Health Beauty Wellness 2015 conference is its product showcase. Drug Store News has picked its favorite OTC and beauty products from the showcase, and over the course of the conference, the suppliers and retailers on hand have chosen theirs. The top products are chosen by buyers who, when visiting the showcase, are given Android-based scanners that are used to scan the QR code on a brand’s display. The 10 brands with the most scans as of 2 p.m. Sunday are below.
Drive Medical's HurryCane
Drive Medical acquired HurryCane a little more than a month ago, and the product’s name recognition — touted by Drive Medical CEO Harvey Diamond when the acquisition was announced — seems to have paid off at GMDC HBW 2015. The collapsible cane, which has a base that works on various terrains, will soon see a wider distribution, according to Drive Medical.
Cotton Buds, Inc.
With “Star Wars Episode VI: The Force Awakens” set to hit theaters this holiday season, the force was strong with Cotton Buds’ GMDC HBW 2015 display. The entry featured packs of cotton swabs and portable tissues starring Yoda, Imperial Stormtroopers and other well-known "Star Wars" imagery. Cotton Buds’ display is 1-of-2 in the Top 10 with a “Star Wars” license.
Lornamead
Lornamead’s display focused on its line of skin care devices — including Portable Pedicure, Home Spa Treatment and its Advanced Cleansing System — that tap into a growing area in the beauty category, and it seems like suppliers are looking to capitalize on an emerging product field.
Brush Buddies
Brush Buddies’ display featured products that appealed to different demographics, with both its Soniclean Pro One electric toothbrush and its line of toothbrushes aimed at children that features Shopkins characters.
Dickinson Brands
Dickinson Brands put its Dickinson’s Witch Hazel skin care products front and center, touting the various uses for witch hazel beyond just itch relief, to include skin cleansing and maintenance.
Goddess Garden
Goddess Garden emphasized its natural spray-on sunscreen with its display, which emphasized that the product was made with organic ingredients.
J.R. Watkins
The J.R. Watkins brand has shown that a 147-year-old brand can still compete in the beauty segment. The company’s display at GMDC HBW 2015 featured its various castile soaps — in solid and liquid form — as well as its lip balm, body lotion and creams.
MZ Berger
MZ Berger’s display showed that Minions-branded products — seemingly omnipresent this summer following Dreamworks’ release of “Minions" — has staying power well into the fall. The display featured 30 Minion-shaped bottles of strawberry-banana scented 3-in-1 body wash, shampoo and conditioner.
Medline/Curad
Medline Industries puts its focus on its “Extreme Hold” line of Curad bandages aimed at adult athletes and available in a variety of colors. The display also touted the bandages’ ability to adhere to skin despite water and physical activity.
Dr. Fresh
Like Cotton Buds, Dr. Fresh also put its focus on “Star Wars” licensing, showcasing its Firefly timer toothbrushes that were in Stormtrooper white and even in the shape and color of famous Jedis’ lightsabers.