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Consumers bite into classic, new cookies
After several lackluster years, cookie sales were up in 2011 and are likely to show slight gains this year. The category was buoyed largely by sales of basic cookies, according to a recent report from Mintel, while premium cookie sales were hurt by a tight economy and increased media attention on America’s obesity epidemic. Mintel forecasts more growth for the premium segment from 2013 to 2016. 
Pick your flavor
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Red Bull energy drink brand has announced plans to roll out Red Bull Editions — three new flavors in color-coordinated 8.4-ounce cans — this coming March. 

New flavors will include cranberry, lime and blueberry, in a red, silver and blue can, respectively. The new products mark the first time Red Bull has added new flavors to its offerings, something competitors have already done. Red Bull is the category dollar volume leader in 2012, according to Nielsen figures, with a 42% dollar share vs. 35% for  competitor Monster.

ReportersNotebook — General Merchandise, 11/19/12

SUPPLIER NEWS — Procter & Gamble battery brand Duracell assisted with post-Hurricane Sandy relief efforts by bringing a little power to, coincidentally, Battery Park in New York.  
Family Dollar expands product selections in anticipation of being the one-stop value shop for the holidays

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar on Thursday announced it is expanding its holiday selection to include hundreds of toys and gifts retailing for $10 or less.

"We know our customers look to Family Dollar to help them celebrate the holidays," stated Michael Bloom, Family Dollar president and COO. "This year, we are proud to offer an expanded selection of items to make this holiday season even more memorable and budget-friendly."
Convenience meets freshness at Spar

PENWORTHAM, England — Sometimes, in looking for new ideas in the retail industry, it helps to take a peek outside the borders of the United States.  
ReportersNotebook — Consumables, 11/19/12

SUPPLIER NEWS — Anheuser-Busch earlier this month donated 44,000 cases — 1,056,000 cans — of emergency drinking water and a cash donation of $100,000 to the American Red Cross to aid victims of Hurricane Sandy. 
Personalization drives category

With more people working from home, the office products category continues to expand. For the past year, sales of office supplies were up 4%, according to NPD analyst Lora Morsovillo, driven by sales of writing implements, mailing and shipping supplies, and office essentials, including paper clips and  rubber bands. 

Morsovillo said the trend toward personalization is evident in the category, creating more demand for products like coordinated pens  and folders.
Meijer features U.S.-made toys on website

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Two new wooden toys that won a contest sponsored by Midwestern mass merchandiser Meijer will be featured exclusively on the retailer's website, the company said Thursday.

Meijer announced the winners of the Meijer Next Great Toymaker contest: Franklin, N.C.-based Circa Toys' Wagon of Blocks and Goshen, Ind.-based Peters' Group's Stick & Stack Cozy Cabin. The Wagon of Blocks, which sells for $69.99, is designed for children ages 1 to 3 years, while the Cozy Cabin, at $44.99, is for children ages 4 to 8 years.
Frito-Lay's new caffeinated line of Cracker Jacks elicits criticism from CSPI

PepsiCo's Frito-Lay has stirred up controversy with its plan to launch an extended line of Cracker Jacks snacks, called Cracker Jack'd, which includes a caffeinated snack called Power Bites.
Single-cup coffee leads growth

While daily coffee consumption is dominated by ground coffee — 35% of consumers drink roasted ground coffee every day — premium-priced single-cup coffee is gaining popularity and has led the growth in the coffee category between 2010 and 2012, according to Mintel. 

The single-cup market ballooned from $103 million in 2007 to an estimated nearly $1.8 billion in 2012, and Mintel expects to see upside for the segment until 2017 due to new innovations and more  private-label pods.