Center Store

ST. LOUIS — A new line of nut cluster snacks is looking to expand its market reach.

What-A-Ya Nuts?! was launched in the St. Louis market last year by Howie Sher, a fourth-generation former supermarket owner, who sought to create a brand that touted better-for-you snacking alternatives. The line What-A-Ya Nuts?! line features four varieties, including Jalapeño Hysteria, Maple Cinnamon Madness, Cracked Parmesan Pepper and Stark Raving Chocolate, and currently is available at Schnucks, along with other St. Louis-area supermarkets and specialty and convenience shops.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Thermos announced this week the launch of its latest line of drinkware and accessories designed for children ages 6 months and older.

Thermos Foogo drinkware includes Tripoli, a gray and green throwback design and Poppy Patch, a strawberry and black floral print. The BPA-free drink cups are offered in double wall vacuum insulated stainless steel and in Eastman Tritan copolymer. Foogo drinkware also features three interchangeable lid types that create 24 possible drinkware combinations, Thermos said.

Electronic cigarettes, sometimes called personal vaporizers, are making their way into the drug channel. As tobacco smoking in public is steadily becoming a thing of the past, smokers are looking for alternatives, and more retail channels are carrying the products.

Rite Aid has begun to carry several models of electronic cigarettes, replacement batteries and replacement cartridges, and is merchandising the products at the checkout near tobacco products.

CHICAGO — Pampers Cruisers/Swaddlers with Dry Max, Gillette Fusion ProGlide and P.F. Chang's Home Menu were the top three new product introductions in 2011, according to the SymphonyIRI Group "2011 New Product Pacesetter" report released Tuesday afternoon. Respectively, Pampers generated $296 million in first-year sales, Gillette Fusion ProGlide generated $169.4 million and P.F. Chang's Home Menu generated $101.6 million. The three were the only new brands to break the $100 million barrier in year-one sales through 2011.

Technology is changing the general merchandise aisles. Online greeting cards have grabbed share from traditional cards, and photofinishing is taking a hit as consumers move to digital photo publishing.

When retailers look for products or services to fill the vacuum left by shrinking categories, they’re looking for something consumers want today and will still need tomorrow.

The uBreakiFix concept suggests one possibility. The electronics repair chain specializes in iPad, iPhone, iPod and smartphones, and offers walk-in repair services while consumers wait.

CHICAGO — Coors Light is kicking up its sponsorship of Mexico's Primera soccer division by reaching out to Hispanic consumers with new digital efforts.

Coors Light, a U.S. sponsor of the league, said it's now giving soccer fans on-the-go access to in-depth and exclusive articles on the Primera Division, the latest scores, stats and highlights by expanding FanaticosDelFrio.com, a website that offers the league's fans exclusive content and was launched last year. Extensions of the site include:

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble, a worldwide Olympic partner, has launched its global P&G "Thank You Mom" campaign in celebration of 100 days to go until the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The campaign recognizes and celebrates the moms behind the athletes by thanking moms for all they do, and is a part of P&G’s worldwide partnership with the International Olympic Committee. It marks the biggest campaign in P&G’s 174-year history and will run from now through the end of the Olympic Games.

CAMDEN, N.J. — Pace is building on the success of its Restaurant Style salsa with three new flavors.

The three all-natural, gluten-free salsas include garden pepper, a blend of bell peppers, jalapenos and lime; garlic and lime verde, made with tomatillos and a touch of garlic and lime; and southwest chipotle, a chipotle chili puree with crushed tomatoes, red peppers and onions. Pace debuted the product line last year in select markets.