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Consumers eating more meals at home and innovation from manufacturers have led to a spike in sales of frozen convenience foods. A number of frozen segments showed double-digit increases in the 52-week period ended May 15. Dollar sales of frozen breakfast foods were up nearly 9% across food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart), according to SymphonyIRI 
Group data.


NEW YORK — An energy strips brand that recently hit the market was honored with the 2011 Best New Product Award at the Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing Diet, Vitamin and Sports Nutrition Show.

The award, presented by Drug Store News and ECRM, was voted on by the show's attending buyers and distributors. This year's event was held in Champions Gate, Fla., from July 17 through July 20.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Mars Chocolate North America introduced the Marathon Smart Stuff bar, a snacking solution that contains such healthful ingredients as dried fruits and nuts, and is fortified with a blend of eight essential vitamins and minerals. 


The bars contain 140 calories or less per serving and 5 g of whole grains. Marathon bars don’t contain high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners.



LITTLETON, N.H. — Retail sales of insecticides and other mosquito-related products are trending upward thanks to an unusually active mosquito season. A wet winter and spring, together with recent heavy flooding throughout much of the middle of the country has resulted in standing pools of water and ideal mosquito breeding conditions. This summer’s high mosquito population has been good news for companies like Tender Corp., the maker of AfterBite, a product that has shown increased sales over the past month.

IRVING, Texas — Hostess has added a chocolate-frosted treat to its Donettes line.

New frosted devil's food cake Donettes are mini donuts that are dipped in a chocolate-flavored coating and now are available at stores nationwide.

Hostess said its latest Donettes treats can be enjoyed in four convenient sizes, including 10.5-oz. Dunkie bags, 11.25-oz. Dunkie bags, 12.2-oz. Sweet Sixteen Dunkie bags and 3-oz. single-serve sleeves.

Health still is a priority for Americans, as sugary cereals are declining and cereals with health benefits, like whole grains, vitamins and minerals, are experiencing slow but steady growth.


Overall, sales of ready-to-eat cereals were flat, up 0.2% in the 12 weeks ended June 12 to $1.5 billion. Of the top 10 cereals tracked by SymphonyIRI Group, only six brands experienced single-digit gains, and most were up less than 4%. The reason: rising prices, popularity of cereal bars and the convenience of bagels and toaster pastries.

SUPPLIER NEWS — SC Johnson’s latest Windex product touts 90% less plastic than the traditional 26-oz. trigger bottle. New Windex Mini is a concentrated refill pouch that “saves six times as much plastic waste that goes into a landfill, compared with a traditional bottle,” according to SC Johnson chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson. Windex Mini will be available nationwide in three-packs of “snip ‘n’ pour” pouches.


LOS ANGELES — A new workout DVD from fitness and lifestyle expert Tracey Mallett has hit retail.

New "Booty Barre Plus Abs & Arms" is an 80-minute fitness DVD that combines the toning benefits of yoga, pilates, ballet and dance to strengthen and stretch the body. In this DVD, Mallett shows viewers how to firm, tighten and tone their bodies, as well as streamline their arms and core muscles. Viewers will need a sturdy chair or ballet barre, in addition to a set of 3-lb. to 5-lb. dumbbells to get started.