Center Store

BOSTON — Fresh is one of the biggest buzzwords in drug store retailing today. But getting into the business can be particularly challenging for small-box retailers like drug stores.

Enter McLane, an industry-leading supply chain services company that has taken away the guesswork for drug store retailers, complete with customized coolers and a full array of fresh product offerings, including sandwiches, salads, fruit juices, fresh-cut fruit and yogurt.

BOSTON — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ Meet the Market program on Saturday afforded the more than 250 retail buyers in attendance a bit of a preview of what new product ideas and launches will be showcased at the conference.

BOSTON — BackJoy Orthotics, a newcomer to NACDS Marketplace, is showing retailers its patented orthotic support device, the BackJoy.

Retailing for just $39.95, the BackJoy is a special orthotic cradling system that encourages users to engage their core muscles when seated, rather than slumping down and putting undue pressure and strain on the lower back.

BOSTON — Splash Guard, which is based in Northport, N.Y., is showing retailers here at NACDS Marketplace the Lil Rinser, a soft, form-fitting device designed to fit over a child’s ears and forehead and keep shampoo, suds and soapy water from getting to the eyes, ears, nose or mouth.

BOSTON — Yabba-Dabba-Doo! Post's new Pebbles Treats snack bars come in Fruity and Cocoa flavors, and are packed in boxes of eight single-serve bars.

The new Pebbles snack bars tap into the $185-million rice treat category, according to SymphonyIRI Group data through the end of 2010 in food, drug and mass including Walmart, and also tie into the new gluten-free movement.

The new snack bars performed well in test markets, exceeding volume forecasts for fiscal 2011 by more than 20%, according to Post.

BOSTON — Drug Store News editor-in-chief Rob Eder interviewed Lansinoh Labs VP sales Michelle McLaughlin here at NACDS Marketplace about the company’s leading position in the natural feeding category, and an exciting new line of products from Europe, which Lansinoh acquired this year and currently is launching to U.S. retailers.

BOSTON — Permanently changing consumer perception of what can and cannot be found in any particular channel can be done, and convenience and gas retailer Sheetz is proof of it.

Where once only dollar-bag chips and hours-old rotisserie “dogs” served as hot lunch options at convenience stores, Sheetz established its touchscreen ordering systems that allow consumers to choose from a wide variety of customized lunch items.

BOSTON—DSN editor Rob Eder, suffering through week four on the Caveman Diet, almost threw in the towel when confronted with Kozy Shack’s newest temptations. Available now for the food service industry — but coming soon to a MAJOR retailer near, well, everybody — is Kozy Shack’s new Coffeehouse Blends pudding. The gluten-free treat comes in three flavors: caffe latte, cappuccino and caramel macchiato.