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CHICAGO — As many as 71% of consumers earning less than $100,000 per year are planning to trim back their spending this holiday season, according to new research, “Holiday Shopping 2011,” released Tuesday by SymphonyIRI Group.

WASHINGTON — A report released by the Institute of Medicine suggested that front-of-package labels don't give clear guidance about a product's healthfulness.

PLOVER, Wis. — Intevation Food Group has introduced a line of frozen crouton-coated vegetables.

Crunchtables includes sweet baby carrots, broccoli, green beans, zucchini, mushrooms and pickles, the company said.

"As Americans try to manage snacking and move toward improved nutritional choices, we must remember that food must deliver on taste — first and foremost," Intevation VP sales and marketing Dan Horan said. "We think of Crunchtables as a 'stealth health' product because it delivers great taste and better nutrition."

KIRKLAND, Wash. — Mobile retail websites have emerged as an indispensible in-store tool for consumers as they shop, according to a new survey conducted by Hipcricket, an Augme Technologies company, that was released Thursday.

LA JOLLA, Calif. — Kashi is boosting its presence in the frozen food aisle with two all-natural frozen entrées.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Carolina Beverage Corp. brand is looking to make a nationwide push, according to published reports.

Cheerwine, a soft drink that features a wild cherry flavor, will be distributed in the Atlanta, Memphis and Florida markets by PepsiCo, according to the Charlotte Observer.

"We feel it's an ideal time to expand, and we're fortunate to be doing it with a world-class partner," Cheerwine CEO Cliff Ritchie was quoted as saying.

Candles become a key general merchandise category later in the year — 35% of candle sales in the United States occur during the fourth quarter. Fall decorating, Thanksgiving and holiday gift-giving drive sales, according to a representative from the National Candle Association.

Holiday candle sales have been strong even in a tight economy, since they are a relatively inexpensive indulgence. Traditional cinnamon, berry and evergreen are key scents for the holidays; vanilla is most popular year-round.

CAMDEN, N.J. — Campbell Soup Co. has boosted its lineup of Healthy Request soups to include eight new varieties.

The following flavors join the existing offerings:

• Two Campbell’s condensed Healthy Request varieties: bean with bacon soup and cheddar cheese soup;

• Two Campbell’s Select Harvest Healthy Request varieties: harvest tomato with basil soup and whole grain pasta fagioli soup; and