General Merchandise

CATONSVILLE, Md. — Suppliers who gain distribution through limited assortment and small format retailers are afforded much larger increases in sales, relative to that from large assortment stores, according to the study "The Effect of Retail Distribution on Sales of Alcoholic Beverages," co-authored by Richard Friberg and Mark Sanctuary of the Stockholm School of Economics.

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Mars Petcare is bringing a new high-protein, grain-free line of food to the pet aisle with its new Crave brand. The brand portfolio includes 12 recipes across dry dog, dry cat and wet cat food.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Reynolds Consumer Products is expanding its selection with three new additions across its Reynolds Wrap and Reynolds Kitchens brands. The company is introducing Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper with SmartGrid and Wax Paper Sandwich Bags, as well as small-sized Slow Cooker Liners.

SEATTLE — Based on the momentum of early back to school shoppers, Amazon is on pace to hit a record 80% sales growth for the season.

The online giant's school supplies sales have grown by 35% year-over-year in the first two weeks of the back-to-school shopping season, according to One Click Retail. Early back-to-school shopping only accounted for 9% of sales in 2016.

Last year, Amazon’s back-to-school sales hit a record 20% growth over the entire season. This year, the online giant has a total growth potential of over 80% for back-to-school 2017.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — As part of its Clean Honest Ingredients label initiative, Hy-Vee plans to eliminate more than 200 artificial ingredients or synthetic chemicals in 1,000 Hy-Vee label products by July 2018.

Hush Baby won the ECRM/Drug Store News Buyers Choice Award for its sound-absorbing Hush Hat during ECRM’s Baby and Infant EPPS, held recently in Orlando. Attitude was a finalist for its biodegradable baby wipes.

The two companies were selected from dozens of entries in the award program, samples of which were displayed in the ECRM hospitality area during the EPPS meetings. Buyers cast their votes based on product innovation and packaging.

SAN FRANCISCO — Method will be debuting a limited-edition product collection that showcases the work of artists from Creative Growth, an Oakland, Calif.-based nonprofit art center serving adults with disabilities.

The collection features work from four artists paired with four new fragrances inspired by their work — palm garden, jasmine lily, cedar spice and vanilla sky — and will be available exclusively at Target through the end of the year.

WAUKESHA, Wis. —Hamacher Resource Group is getting into the e-book game with the release of  “The Most Important 20 Minutes of Your Year, Buyer Presentations: A Guide for CPG Manufacturers.” The book provides an overview of what presenters should consider when getting their buyer presentations ready.