Pharmacy

The drive to up the ante on service is evidenced by the increased deployment of customer-facing technology such as information kiosks, digital media displays, and marketing and promotion technology, all in essence dedicated to making more effective connections to shoppers and their needs. This high-touch environment also results in the avoidance of self-checkout technology, though, as the numbers show, most independents realize they'll eventually have to install these units for competitive reasons.

The drive to up the ante on service is evidenced by the increased deployment of customer-facing technology such as information kiosks, digital media displays, and marketing and promotion technology, all in essence dedicated to making more effective connections to shoppers and their needs. This high-touch environment also results in the avoidance of self-checkout technology, though, as the numbers show, most independents realize they'll eventually have to install these units for competitive reasons.

The drive to up the ante on service is evidenced by the increased deployment of customer-facing technology such as information kiosks, digital media displays, and marketing and promotion technology, all in essence dedicated to making more effective connections to shoppers and their needs. This high-touch environment also results in the avoidance of self-checkout technology, though, as the numbers show, most independents realize they'll eventually have to install these units for competitive reasons.

Following are some of the general merchandise items retailers can expect to see at the FMI Show this month in Chicago.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Mass merchandiser Target Corp. here plans to unveil its latest version of SuperTarget in the Atlanta suburb of Acworth, Ga. in July, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports. The 174,000-square-foot store will dedicate twice as much space for grocery and HBC, and will feature larger windows to let in more natural light.

The Annual Meat Conference put consumer needs and attitudes at the center of the plate.

HARLEYSVILLE, Pa. -- The proliferation of heart healthy products, on-the-go healthy eating opportunities, and premium personal care are among the Top Ten Health & Wellness Trends for 2006 as identified by the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) here.

Bottled water's getting an injection of additives -- and consumers are drinking it up.