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ISSAQUAH, Wash. — TalkingRain Beverage said it is bringing its Sparkling Ice brand to Kroger stores and the retailer's other supermarket banners.

Sparkling Ice will hit the shelves of Kroger, King Soopers, Ralphs, QFC, Fred Meyer, Frys, Dillons and Smith's across the country. Sparkling Ice, which blends together mountain spring water, fruit juice and carbonation, is available in orange mango, black raspberry, lemon lime, pomegranate berry, pink grapefruit and kiwi strawberry flavors, and in 17-oz. and 1-liter containers.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Lipton Iced Tea's beverages now are boasting an all-natural ingredient list.

New 100% natural Lipton Iced Tea will be available in green tea with citrus, iced tea with lemon, iced tea with blueberry pomegranate and green tea with passionfruit mango flavors. Lipton Iced Tea's diet portfolio also will expand with new diet green tea with watermelon joining diet green tea with citrus flavor.

Each bottle will retail from 99 cents to $1.59 and will be available in 20-oz. bottles.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hallmark is touting postage-paid greeting cards for Mother's Day.

The greeting card maker said it has developed 90 postage-paid greetings specifically for Mother's Day, ranging from $2.69 to $3.99.

Hallmark postage-paid greetings feature the U.S. Postal Service's Intelligent Mail bar code on the front of the envelope, the company said. When the cards are processed at a Postal Service facility, the bar code automatically indicates to the Postal Service that the postage is paid.

Hallmark cards are available in retailers nationwide.

RACINE, Wis. — Consumers looking for containers that are designed to store, heat and serve can look no further than Ziploc's latest innovation.

Ziploc VersaGlass products are designed to go from the fridge to the microwave or oven — at temperatures of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit — and straight to the dinner table, the company said. The containers also are dishwasher-safe and available in six sizes, ranging from $4.19 to $8.99, or in a variety pack of three containers for $17.99.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Newcastle Brown Ale is unveiling a series of limited-edition brews that will be available throughout the year.

The lineup includes ales that fit each season of the year:

• Newcastle Summer Ale is a golden beer that offers a subtle citrus hop aroma and a clean, refreshing flavor with a dry finish;

• Newcastle Werewolf, naturally blood-red in color, is a distinct-tasting fall ale that produces a combination of sweet berry overtones and a sudden bite of bitterness;

American Greetings’ new Ready Set Blow greeting card line offers all the fun of blowing out the candles and making a wish.


The cards deliver a multisensory experience with the recipient prompted to blow on the card upon opening it. A special sensor is then activated, making the festive scene come to life with LED lights, as well as either a birthday song or sound.


The line of six designs began shipping to all channels of distribution in mid-March and retails for $6.99.

A fresh new vision has come into view at Duane Reade as the Walgreens-owned retailer expanded its fresh food and grocery offerings. In its Union Square store in Manhattan, shown here, consumers are greeted by an expansive food offering that includes an island of such on-the-go meals as oatmeal, sushi, sandwiches and salads; baked goods with a self-service coffee bar; and an array of frozen foods. The concept also prominently features the store-brand DR Delish line of premium snacks and beverages.


HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Snickers really wants consumers to "love" its latest confection.

The Mars Chocolate brand has implemented a "love" button on its Facebook fan page — an upgrade of the social networking site's "like" button — to celebrate the launch of Snickers Peanut Butter Squared.