News Briefs

Wet Brush is letting consumers take their hair care to the next level with a brand new customization tool. 

Available exclusively on its website, the feature, which has been dubbed “Wet Brush Your Way,” allows consumers to create a custom design on the classic Wet Brush Original Detangler.

Users are able to create a personalized brush by choosing one of five color options—black, pink, purple, sky blue and marble white—as well as design a text, use icons and imagery from a library of fonts and emojis available online, or by uploading their own artwork or logo. 

“At Wet Brush, we are always dreaming big to find ways to deliver the best products and experience to our community. We often hear from consumers who love Wet Brush so much that they collect multiple brushes at a time. The combination of our exclusive Intelliflex bristles that effortlessly glide through hair and our trend-forward designs, makes our brushes an extension of people’s individuality,” said Melissa Ayers, vice president of brand strategy and growth for Wet Brush. “Wet Brush Your Way is the next step. Whether you’re planning for a family reunion, milestone birthday, bachelorette party, or just want something that’s uniquely yours, Wet Brush is there to celebrate you.”

The feature will be available exclusively on WetBrush.com just in time for the holiday season. 

Dunkin’ is helping consumers bring home the flavors of its coffee with a new creamer. 

The new Salted Caramel Creamer, which was created with the help of at-home coffee and creamer experts at Danone, is inspired by the Salted Caramel Cold Brews that were previously available at stores this past summer. 

“From fan-favorite Dunkin’ Extra Extra Creamer to limited-time seasonal creamers, Dunkin’ knows the importance that flavor plays in a morning cup of coffee, and so does Danone,” said Kallie Goodwin, vice president of marketing, coffee creamers for Danone North America. “We are thrilled to introduce Salted Caramel Creamer to the Dunkin’ portfolio, giving fans another restaurant-inspired creamer to enjoy. Salted Caramel has been such a success in stores, so we wanted to bring that same excitement to the at-home coffee experience, as well.”

Dunkin’s Salted Caramel Creamer features sweet and salty notes and is a permanent addition to its at-home coffee creamers lineup. The product comes in a 32-oz. bottle that can be found at Target and other major retailers for an SRP of $4.49. 

The upcoming Pop-Tarts Bowl winner will go home with more than just a trophy and bragging rights, the winning team also is set to be awarded the first-ever Edible Mascot. 

"For sixty years, Pop-Tarts has sacrificed everything in the name of Crazy Good flavor, so why wouldn't that include our beloved Football Mascot, too?" said Heidi Ray, senior director of marketing, Pop-Tarts. "Since we announced our title sponsorship of the Pop-Tarts Bowl, fans have been speculating on the larger-than-life game day experiences we will be tackling, and this is the first of many traditions that fans can expect Pop-Tarts to upend on game day."

The Pop-Tarts Bowl Mascot is a real-life manifestation of the brand’s previously launched Agents of Crazy Good initiative, which saw an ingenious crew come fully frosted and ready to challenge expectations for where the brand can show up next, the company said. 

Currently, the 2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl is scheduled to air live on ESPN on Dec. 28 at 5:45 PM EST. 

The holiday season is quickly approaching and Revolution Beauty is helping beauty enthusiasts prep their makeup looks for one of the most festive times of the year. 

New from the brand is an exclusive makeup collection inspired by the holiday film, “Elf,” which will be released in conjunction with the movie’s 20th anniversary. 

The new products feature festive hues and luxe formulas, per the brand. The limited-edition collection also contains 10 products that range from a red lip gloss to glimmering highlighters and eyeshadows.

“Revolution Beauty is privileged to be partnering with Warner Bros. once again to celebrate the 20th anniversary of 'Elf' through a dedicated cosmetics collection,” said Sara Staniford, president of Revolution Beauty USA. “Elf has been a beloved holiday story since its release in 2003 and we are excited to share a limited-edition collection to fans and beauty enthusiasts alike this holiday season.”

Currently, the Revolution x Elf collection is available for purchase in-store and online at Walmart, with online availability beginning Dec. 1. 

The offices of Drug Store News will be closed Nov. 23 through Nov. 24 for the Thanksgiving holiday. DSN A.M. will resume publishing Nov. 27. We wish our readers and their families an enjoyable and safe holiday.

What do Gen Z consumers think of store brands?

More than half of Gen Z grocery shoppers “always/frequently” choose a place to shop due to its store brands, according to new PLMA consumer research report, titled, “Gen Z Loves Store Brands: America’s Youngest Consumers Speak Out on Grocery Shopping, Stores and Brands.” 

[Read more: Placer.ai: Discount, dollar stores show strength at year end]

In the survey, 67% of Gen Z say they are “extremely/very” aware of store brands; 64% say they buy store brands “always/frequently;” 56% are “extremely likely/likely” to experiment with store brands to find “best value;” and 51% say they “always/frequently” choose a place to shop due to its store brands. 

Among other findings: 

• 53% of Gen Z say "Valuable" describes store brands "precisely/very much." 
• 52% of Gen Z say "Reliable" describes store brands "precisely/very much." 
• 50% of Gen Z say "Variety" describes store brands "precisely/very much." 

Sara Williamson, assistant professor of Marketing at SUNY Old Westbury, analyzed the survey results and presented her findings at PLMA’s 2023 U.S. Private Label Trade Show in Chicago earlier this week. 

[Read more: Study: Consumers shop drug stores for grocery, household items as much as pharmacy]

“Gen Z store brand purchase frequency is most strongly driven by a perception that store brands are 'reliable,’” Williamson said. “Reliability perception is a stronger store brand purchase predictor than any other measure, including household income and monthly grocery spending." 

Williamson continued, “The impact of store brand reliability is a solid indicator that the manufacturer-retailer relationship is more important than ever. To succeed with Gen Z, retailers must establish a foundation of store brand suppliers who meet their customers' quality expectations."