Center Store

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. — Odwalla has announced the launch of its Smoothie Refreshers, a new line of 150-calorie smoothies available in such flavors as Mango Lime Twist, Mixed Berry Shuffle and Pear Berry Jive.

Each 12-fl.-oz. bottle provides 100% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C, according to the company, and also is formulated with coconut water.

Frozen foods still are a popular choice. Packaged Facts projected that retail sales of frozen foods and beverages will reach $70 billion in 2015, a 25% increase over 2010 revenues. Growth will be fueled by a trio of strong-performing categories that have been driving the category for some time: frozen pizza, handheld breakfast food and prepared vegetables. 


The category also has gotten a boost from microwavable frozen meals that serve as quick-and-easy — and inexpensive — lunches.

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. — Redbox remains the dominant player in kiosk DVD rentals with an average of 55 million rentals monthly in second quarter 2011. The company, which built its market dominance on $1 rentals, is testing price increases in some markets. Redbox and Foursquare are partnering to allow consumers to use their smartphones to check availability and reserve titles at their nearest kiosk.


Competitor NDR is experimenting with DVD sales as well as rentals from its kiosks, and may expand the concept.

Sales of plain PET bottled water may be flat, but there’s significant action in flavored and enhanced waters. Glaceau’s Vitaminwater Zero saw triple-digit sales increases in all three channels (excluding Walmart) for the 52 weeks ended Aug. 7, according to the SymphonyIRI Group. Sales of the company’s Smartwater jumped 25% during the same period.

Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s also have introduced private-label electrolyte-enhanced still waters.

SUPPLIER NEWS — T.G.I. Friday’s has launched new Entrées for One frozen meals, which include nine varieties: sizzling chicken fajitas, sizzling steak fajitas, grilled chicken mac and cheese, prime rib stroganoff, chicken and broccoli alfredo, loaded chicken and cheese, Cajun-style chicken alfredo, sesame orange chicken, and creamy chicken pasta carbonara. The frozen entrées carry a suggested retail price of $3.99.


SUPPLIER NEWS — Energizer’s power-on-the-go products made their debut at the IFA Consumer Electronics Global Trade Show in Berlin last month.


The lineup includes the portable charger line’s new design; the SP1001 solar charger; the AP750, which adds extra talk time for almost any micro-USB smartphone; the AP1201 for the iPhone 4, a silicone rubber case with built-in rechargeable battery; and the XP2000K and XP1000K travel kits, which offer all-in-one portable power for the home, car and all points in between.


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Spartan Stores has announced that its Spartan brand packaging now will include front of packaging nutrition icons to help busy consumers make informed decisions when they shop. The new labels support the voluntary Facts Up Front nutrition labeling system designed by the Food Marketing Institute and the Grocery Manufacturing Association.

NEW YORK — Supermarket chain Stop & Shop will work with Foodshare to sponsor events at its stores in Hartford, Conn., to help qualifying residents access the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit.

About 70% of Connecticut residents who qualify for SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program, actually receive the benefit, Stop & Shop said. This is because of such issues as language barriers, lack of transportation or lack of knowledge of the program.