News Briefs

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." 

A new, bakery-inspired Kit Kat flavor is hitting shelves. 

The brand recently announced the launch of its new Chocolate Frosted Donut Flavored Bar, which channels the flavor experience of biting into a fresh donut with smooth milk chocolate notes layered over a donut flavored crème, the company said. 

“We know fans love our bakery inspired flavors like Kit Kat Birthday Cake—and we thought, ‘who doesn't love a classic chocolate frosted donut?!’” Said Alex Kuzior, associate Kit Kat brand manager. “The Kit Kat Chocolate Frosted Donut Flavored Bar is a sweet addition to our permanent flavor portfolio and every bite delivers upon a delightful experience, reminiscent of a freshly baked donut from your favorite hometown bakery.”

Kit Kat’s new Chocolate Frosted Donut Flavored Bar is a permanent flavor addition that will be available everywhere the brand’s products are currently sold.

CVS Pharmacy BeautyIRL stores are bringing a Body Art Bar to consumers via new offerings from BodyMark and Tattly. 

The retailer’s 160 beauty-focused stores across the nation will be showcasing products from BodyMark and Tattly, which encourages consumers to express themselves in a skin safe and semi-permanent way with temporary tattoos. 

Products that the Body Art Bar will feature include: 

• BodyMark Freckle Pen (in brown, green and purple)
• BodyMark Celestial Pack
• BodyMark x Tattly Delicate Florals Tattoo Pack
• BodyMark x Tattly Heart Rainbow Tattoo Pack
• BodyMark x Tattly Florafly Tattoo
• BodyMark x Tattly designs in 2 different sizes

Consumers can experience the Body Art Bar at CVS Pharmacy BeautyIRL stores through May 2024.