Center Store

FAIRPORT HARBOR, Ohio — OurPet's, a pet supply company, announced the launch of a new line of products available through the food, drug and mass market channel. The Pet Zone brand will offer toys and accessories that are meant to enhance the well-being of pets.

SAN FRANCISCO — Big Heart Pet Brands on Wednesday announced its launch as the largest standalone pet food-and-snack company in North America. The creation of Big Heart Pet Brands comes on the heels of the company's sale of its consumer products division to Del Monte Pacific Limited, which closed on Feb. 18, 2014.

The new name mirrors the company's focus on the pet products market. Big Heart Pet Brands will continue to deliver such brands as Milk Bone, Meow Mix, Kibbles 'n Bits and Nature's Recipe, among others.

STERLING, Ill. — Wahl recently introduced No-Rinse waterless shampoo and doggie deodorant. The products are designed to make pet bathing easy. No-Rinse was designed for in-between baths, but sales are strong in cold-weather seasons when consumers want to bath their pets but don’t want to take the hose out.

The shampoo’s all-natural, foaming formula allows users to apply and towel dry to remove dirt and debris while providing a natural scent. Doggie deodorant also is an all-natural spray formula that can used directly on the dog or the furniture to remove odors.

PRESTON, Wash. — TalkingRain has added two new flavors to its Sparkling ICE brand of zero-calorie beverages. The new Cherry Limeade and Strawberry Watermelon flavors debuted in January, expanding the brand’s flavor portfolio to 11 zero-calorie options.

ST. LOUIS — Lighter-weight cat litters are gaining ground. Purina recently introduced Tidy Cats LightWeight 24/7 Performance, a litter that is at least 50% lighter than traditional scooping cat litter, but has all the benefits of regular litters. A combination of clay and natural lightweight materials makes buying, pouring and storing much easier for pet owners. The product offers continuous odor control, is 99.9% dust free and produces light, tight clumps for easy clean up.

ATLANTA — Coca-Cola is rolling out its Dasani Sparkling line, five naturally flavored, unsweetened and lightly carbonated waters. Dasani Sparkling is available in a 12-oz. 12-pack, and in 20-oz. and 1-liter PET PlantBottle sizes. The line marks the latest addition to the Dasani brand. Last year, the brand added flavored water enhancers, Dasani Drops.

BOULDER, Colo. — Celestial Seasonings, a Hain Celestial Group brand, announced the introduction of its new line of organic and Fair Trade Certified Estate Teas. The new teas will be available exclusively at Whole Foods Markets stores across the nation and include varieties like English Breakfast Black Tea, Earl Grey Black Tea, Pure Green Tea, Jasmine Green Tea and Perfect Trio.

Mintel projects the pet products category will grow an average of 3.8% over the next five years to nearly $13.7 billion by 2017.

(For the full category review, including sales data, click here.)