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HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court in December ruled in favor of Wegmans and supermarkets across the state over whether or not the grocers could sell beer on their premises — the ruling expands what many consider to be the most restrictive alcohol distribution laws in the country. 


In Pennsylvania, beer can be purchased only from a restaurant/bar or beer distributor. Beer distributors can sell only by the case or keg, while restaurants and bars cannot sell more than 16 12-oz. beers per purchase. 


Dollar sales in the snack/granola bar category have grown nearly 8% in the past year, according to Sue Viamari, editor of Symphony­IRI Group’s Times and Trends report.


“Growth is being driven by strong performance by nutrition/intrinsic health value bars and granola bars, which climbed 15.6% and 7% during that time period,” she said. Breakfast/cereal bars posted flat sales for the year.


SUPPLIER NEWS — Marcal has reformulated its Small Steps line, which is made of 100% recycled paper, the company said. Marcal Small Steps paper towels now are stronger when wet, while Marcal Small Steps two-ply bath tissue is softer. The company also will reformulate its facial tissues.



NEW YORK — TeleBrands, a developer of "As Seen On TV" products, has introduced three new innovations.

The lineup includes:

• Pasta Boat, a 5-in-1 pasta cooker that cooks, strains, serves, steams and serves. Complete with stay-cool handles, the steamer rack can be used to steam potatoes or vegetables right in the microwave. Pasta Boat cooks pasta in approximately 18 minutes and carries a suggested retail price of $9.99;

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — It seems that Facebook users love Oreo.

PLANO, Texas — Earnings per share for Dr Pepper Snapple Group increased 5 cents to 49 cents, compared with the year-ago period, thanks to an increase in consumer spending and new licensing agreements with Coca-Cola and PepsiCo.

NORWICH, N.Y. — Greek yogurt brand Chobani has launched its Real Love Stories multifaceted campaign.

The campaign, which underscores the love Chobani fans have for the brand, marks the company's first national advertising push, which includes two national television commercials, along with digital and out-of-home ads. Outreach also will continue on the brand’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hallmark has partnered with the U.S. Postal Service to make sending greeting cards hassle-free.

New postage-paid greetings, which will range in price from $2.69 to $3.99, feature the U.S. Postal Service's Intelligent Mail bar code on the front of the envelope. Acting as a first-class stamp, Hallmark's postage-paid greetings have an added convenience so consumers can sign, seal and send cards without worrying about adding a stamp to the envelope.