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IRI's 2016 Pacesetters report ranks top innovation by sales
CHICAGO — GSK Consumer Healthcare's Flonase allergy remedy dominated IRI's 2016 New Product Pacesetters report, which represents a benchmark analysis of exceptional first-year CPG sales success for newly launched products, across the non-foods category with $316.5 million in sales. Meanwhile, Dean Foods' DairyPure, an antibiotic-free food, soared to the top of the food and beverages list with $1.2 billion in sales, according to the report released last week.
Ripe Craft Juices continues grocery expansion
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Ripe Craft Juice and Ripe Bar Juice are expanding the reach of their juices and cocktail mixes with the continuation of a roll-out to various grocery chains nationwide, the company announced Thursday.

The juices were created to meet consumer demand for products with real fresh juice with minimal processing.

Study: Amazon makes big strides in capturing health, personal care, food shoppers

SANDY, Utah — Amazon is gaining a significantly larger share-of-wallet for everyday household items — and the retailer continues to build momentum.
ShopRite expands ‘free fruit’ program

KEASBEY, N.J. — ShopRite on Wednesday announced it has expanded the “free fruit” program it launched earlier this year in select stores, to now include five additional stores located in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that are owned and operated by ShopRite of Hunterdon County (New Jersey).

Under the program, kids 12 and younger receive a free banana, clementine or other seasonal fruit while shopping with a parent or guardian. The fruits are located in the produce aisle, and the program is overseen by the supermarket’s team of in-store dietitians.
Malibu to move beyond rum with beer launch

STAMFORD, Conn. — Malibu, the brand best known for its flavored rum, is looking to break into the beer space later this year. The company said Malibu Beer would be launching in select cities starting May 1, imported to the United States by US Beverage under exclusive licensing.
World’s oldest brewery intros beer based on 1950s label

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan is bringing a blast from the past to the beer aisle this month with the release of its limited-release Kristallweizenbock.

The 7.5%-alcohol-by-volume weizenbock is inspired by an old label from the 1950s found in the vault of Weihenstephan — which is the world’s oldest brewery, operating since 1040.
Survey: Labels make it hard for shoppers to find healthy foods they want

CHICAGO — Transparency research firm Label Insight this week released the results of its 2017 Shopper Trends Survey, which found that, though shoppers are interested in healthy options, they have a hard time telling if a product meets their needs from the label.
Mountain Dew introduces Mtn Dew Label Series

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Mountain Dew, capitalizing on the success of its Mtn Dew Black Label — a dark berry-flavored soda it launched last year — is launching the Mtn Dew Label Series, a line of premium sodas crafted with distinctive flavors and herbal and citrus bitters.

The new products under the Label Series will be the citrus-flavored Mtn Dew White Label and the apple-kiwi-flavored Mtn Dew Green Label.
Mars to reinvest in supply chain, launches M&M’s Spotlight concert series

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Mars is making a big reinvestment in its U.S. manufacturing. The company on Thursday announced a $70 million investment that it says would add roughly 250 jobs at various sites across the country and ensuring that 95% of its chocolate products are made in the United States.
Amazon pulls plug on parent company of diapers.com, soap.com

SEATTLE — Amazon is getting is shutting down one of its units after it failed to turn a profit.

The company is pulling the plug on Quidsi, parent company of diapers.com, soap.com and several other shopping sites, which it purchased in 2010. The news was first reported by Bloomberg.