Produce / Floral

Consumers now have a deliciously simple way to get their required servings of fruit, thanks to Yoplait Frozen Fruit and Yogurt Smoothies from Minneapolis-based General Mills.

The recent winner of a 2009 Beverage Innovation award in the category of Best Labeling or Decorative Finish at the Drinktec trade show in Munich, Germany, Borojo Organic Energy Drink is naturally high in the vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids found in the rainforest superfruit borojo, according to the Boca Raton, Fla.-based producer, Borojo Beverages, LLC.

Even as the economy begins to rebound, budget-friendly private labels continue to draw in consumers, according to a new report from Chicago-based Information Resources, Inc. (IRI). The report, “IRI Times & Trends Report: Game-Changing Economy Taking Private Label to New Heights” found that private label unit share has grown to 22.8 percent (up 1.2 points) in the past 12 months, while dollar share has grown 0.7 points to 17.6 percent.

Featuring no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or sweeteners, Hansen’s Natural Lo-Cal Juices provide all-natural, low-calorie refreshment in four fruit varieties: Tropical Mangosteen, Acai Blueberry, Pomegranate Blackberry and Apple Raspberry.

Retail discounts are still influencing consumer pricing, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Supraliminal Labs Red Stuff Energy with LuraLean is a hybrid sports drink combining energy, appetite control, calorie burners and 100 percent natural GRAS (generally recognized as safe) fiber under the emerging segment of weight management nutritional supplements, according to the manufacturer, Tomball, Texas-based Funktional Beverages, Inc.

As a way to increase awareness that healthier food and lifestyle choices can reduce the rise of chronic health conditions such as obesity and diabetes among Hispanics, Boston-based Oldways nonprofit food issues think tank and the Latino Nutrition Coalition (LNC) will roll out Latino Nutrition Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, to coincide with National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Visual merchandising (VM) is an indispensable retail discipline, consisting of a series of practical selling tools that are used to influence what and how much consumers buy. Successful retailers -- supermarkets in particular -- can employ effective and integrated VM practices as part of the retail experience and overall brand delivery, to successfully maximize sales and profits in-store -- essentially, it’s a silent selling service of sales-driving levers and tools.