Mass Market Retailers articles from April 2002

Mass Market Retailers archives from April 2002

Big V bid scrutinized. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Royal Ahold NV's joint bid with Pathmark Stores Inc. for Big V Supermarkets Inc. is facing antitrust scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission. At issue is whether the deal would hurt Wakefern Food Corp.'s ability to compete. Big V is...

Appointment at CVS. (Industry News).(Helena Foulkes)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... CVS Corp. has named Helena Foulkes senior vice president of advertising and marketing. Foulkes, who joined CVS in 1992, is credited with playing key roles in the development of the chain's Internet strategy and its customer loyalty card...

Publix growth plans. (Industry News).(Publix Super Markets Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Publix Supermarkets Inc. plans to open 67 stores this year, keeping it on course to meet its previously announced plans to open 340 stores in five years. Last March the Lakeland, Fla.-based supermarket chain announced its goal of having more...

New CEO at Value City. (Industry News).(John Rossler )(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Value City Department Stores has appointed company president John Rossler as chief executive officer. He succeeds George Kolber, who resigned from Value City and its board.

P&G names chairman. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) has named company president and chief executive officer A.G. Lafley to the additional position of chairman, effective July 1. He succeeds John Pepper, who is retiring on that date. In a related move, P&G's board has...

Retailers in the `next economy'. (Spotlight).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... NEW YORK -- While the much ballyhooed "new economy" has been pronounced dead, its legacy includes important changes that have altered the retailing landscape. At a recent conference here consultants from Retail Forward Inc. explored the...

Winn-Dixie names exec new COO.(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Former Randall's Food Markets Inc. president Frank Lazaran is joining Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Lazaran will be responsible for Winn-Dixie's retail operations,...

Eckerd to enter Phoenix, Tucson.(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... LARGO, Fla. -- Eckerd Corp. plans to enter the Phoenix and Tucson markets this year. "Our plans are to open a total of at least 60 stores by the end of 2004," says Eckerd chairman and chief executive officer Wayne Harris. The drug...

Podany exits as ShopKo CEO.(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Citing personal reasons, William Podany has stepped down as president and chief executive officer of ShopKo Stores Inc. Board member Jeffrey Girard, a former Supervalu Inc. executive who has been on ShopKo's board since...

Discounters gain big in March. (News).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... NEW YORK -- An early Easter helped boost sales for many retailers in March, although unseasonably cool weather muted its effects. Meanwhile, ongoing consumer worries about the health of the economy helped ensure that discounters scored the...

Kmart hunkers down and moves ahead. (News).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... TROY, Mich. -- In what has been a busy April so far, Kmart Corp. resolved a dispute with the operator of its auto service centers, placed its BlueLight marketing campaign under review, launched the latest phase of a new multicultural marketing...

Albertson's revamps distribution. (News).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertson's Inc. is revamping its distribution network in the wake of recent store closings. Last month the retailer agreed to sell its distribution center in Tulsa, Okla., to Fleming Cos. The deal includes a five-year...

Dollar General credit ratings are cut by S&P, Moody's. (News).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... NEW YORK -- Dollar General Corp.'s credit rating was lowered to "junk" status by Standard & Poor's Corp., which cited the discount retailer's recent earnings restatements as a cause for concern. The downgrade came on the heels of a...

Noddle will succeed Wright at Supervalu. (News).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu Inc. chairman Mike Wright is retiring from the company effective May 30, when Jeff Noddle will assume that title while maintaining his current posts of president and chief executive officer. Wright served as chief...

Target to spend $3.5 billion in '03. (News).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... MINNEAPOLIS -- Target Corp. expects its capital expenditures for fiscal 2003 to total between $3.3 billion and $3.5 billion. That represents an increase of 4.3% to 11% over the $3.2 billion the company spent in the fiscal year that ended...

Weis sets openings. (News).(Weis Markets)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... SHAMOKIN DAM, Pa. -- Weis Markets, which operates 162 stores in six states, plans to add five superstores and remodel or expand another 12 over the next year. The openings and renovations are part of the $67.4 million capital-improvement...

Scoreboard. (Money News).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 22, 2002... SCOREBOARD Quarter Dollar % RETAILERS Ended Sales Change Albertson's (1) 01/31 9.66 bil + 1.3 Burlington 03/02 779.8 mil + 7.9...

Duane Reade to sell bonds. (Money News).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Duane Reade Inc. has announced plans to raise $110 million through the private sale of 20-year senior bonds convertible into company stock. The company plans to use the net proceeds of the sale to pay down amounts outstanding under a senior...

Walgreen drops its auditor; announces dividend. (Money News).(Arthur Andersen LLP )(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Walgreen Co. has dropped Arthur Andersen LLP as its auditor, ending a 76-year relationship. Separately, the company announced a regular quarterly dividend of 3.625 cents per share.

Biggest gainers. (Money).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 22, 2002... BIGGEST GAINERS Close Change % Stock 04/05/02 vs. 03/08/02 Change ShopKo 18.97 +4.29 +29.2 drugstore.com 2.85 +0.35 +14.0...

Biggest losers. (Money).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... BIGGEST LOSERS Close Change % Stock 04/0502 vs. 03/08/02 Change Toys `R' Us 16.47 -3.54 -17.7 Federated 39.55 -3.82 -8.8...

Most active. (Money).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 22, 2002... MOST ACTIVE Vol. (000) As a % Change vs. 1 Wk. Ended of Total 1 Wk. Ended Stock 04/05/02 Shares 03/08/02 Federated 15,541 7.5 +...

Albertson's bottom line off 34%. (Spotlight).(Albertson's Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 22, 2002... BOISE, Idaho -- Hampered by a huge restructuring charge, Albertson's Inc. saw its bottom line contract by more than a third in fiscal 2001, despite a fourth quarter gain from the sale of a group of Osco drug stores. Net profits for the...

Kroger net climbs 19% in fiscal `01. (Money).(Kroger Co.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 22, 2002... CINCINNATI -- Kroger Co., despite a fourth quarter fall-off tied to an extra week the prior year, still managed to register an 18.9% increase in fiscal 2001 net income and an 8% improvement before onetime items. Net income expanded to...

Fred's sets records for quarter, year. (Money).(Fred's Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 22, 2002... MEMPHIS -- Fred's Inc. continued to build on an increasingly strong performance in fiscal 2001, wrapping up the fourth quarter and the year with record earnings. Net income for the 52 weeks ended February 2 soared 32.2% to $19.6 million on...

Sales increases outpace earnings growth at Costco. (Money).(Costco Wholesale Corp. )(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 22, 2002... ISSAQUAH, Wash. -- Costco Wholesale Corp. recorded single-digit increases in net profits on double-digit sales gains during the quarter and half ended February 17. The operator of warehouse clubs reported a 9.1% advance in net earnings to...

Ahold's earnings lifted by U.S. unit. (Money).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... ZAANDAM, the Netherlands--The United States businesses continued to drive earnings growth for Royal Ahold NV in the fourth quarter and fiscal 2001, as both its retail and food service segments turned in double-digit increases in operating...

Mass retail equities continue recovery. (Money).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 22, 2002... NEW YORK -- Mass market retailing stocks in March continued to recover from last year's bear market lows. From February 28 to March 28 MMR's discount store chain index fell 0.2% to end the month at 3,541.8. At the same time the supermarket...

Longs earnings benefit from onetime items. (Money).(Longs Drug Stores )(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 22, 2002... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- With prior-year results weighed down by onetime items, Longs Drug Stores posted bottom-line gains for the quarter and fiscal year ended January 31. Net income for the 53-week fiscal 2002 reached $47.2 million, up...

Discounters turn 40. (Opinion).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... This year marks a major milestone for the discount store industry: the 40th birthday of its three leading companies. Discounters were a rough-and-tumble group back in 1962. Such chains as E.J. Korvette, Two Guys From Harrison, Fed-Mart...

What is it about Wal-Mart that ... (Opinion).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... What is it about Wal-Mart? What is it that has competitors refusing to acknowledge, even privately, that this is America's most exciting and accomplished--and, of course, successful--mass market retailer? And possibly our most exciting export...

NRF now expects a brighter '02. (Opinion).(National Retail Federation)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 22, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The forecast for 2002 is looking brighter, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). The NRF has revised its retail sales projections for the year, citing strong improvements in several key economic indicators. ...

Sears Canada COO. (Global News).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Sears Canada has named Brent Hollister president and chief operating officer. Hollister, formerly president of sales, service and in-store planning, oversees all sales and service channels and sales support activities of logistics,...

Wal-Mart discounts. (Global News).(Wal-Mart GmbH)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Wal-Mart GmbH, the German division of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., earlier this month slashed prices on more than 300 products for a 60-day period to stimulate growth. Analysts estimate that Wal-Mart has lost about $200 million a year in Germany since...

Appeal of Asda PLC. (Global News).
April 22, 2002... Asda Group PLC, the United Kingdom's third-largest supermarketer, topped last month's "The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For" guide to the best employers in Britain. Asda associates singled out the Wal-Mart Stores Inc. subsidiary for...

Snow Brand in talks. (Global News).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Snow Brand Milk is considering a joint venture in baby food and nursery care products with Nestle SA. The Japanese dairy and food group has been attempting to boost its brand image and sales by restructuring its operations and closing down its...

Casino plans stake. (Global News).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... French retailer Casino intends to acquire a majority stake in Laurus, its Dutch rival and the second-largest food retailer in the Netherlands. Casino is purchasing a 37.6% stake in Laurus for 200 million euros ($174.9 million) and will be able...

Ito-Yokado net up 7% on 7.4% sales gain in fiscal year. (Global).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... TOKYO -- Japan's largest retailer, Ito-Yokado Co., recorded a 7% increase in net earnings on a 7.4% gain in sales for the fiscal year ended February 28. Net profits expanded to 52.32 billion yen ($400 million) from 48.9 billion a year ago....

Wal-Mart in Japan. (Spotlight).
April 22, 2002... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- The long-expected entry of the world's largest retailer into the world's second-largest retail market is now accomplished fact. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has paid $46 million (6 billion yen) for a 6.1% stake in Seiyu Ltd.,...

Metro AG opens unit in Vietnam. (Global).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... DUSSELDORF, Germany--Metro AG, Europe's second-largest retailer, has established a presence in Vietnam by opening a flagship cash-and-carry outlet in Ho Chi Minh City. The company already operates in China and plans to extend its...

Carrefour, Disney in apparel pact. (Global).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... PARIS -- Carrefour SA, the world's second-largest retailer, has concluded an agreement with Wait Disney Co. that will allow it to create and sell apparel decorated with popular Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Winnie...

Sainsbury tests home products. (Global).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... LONDON -- J. Sainsbury PLC, the second-largest supermarket operator in the United Kingdom, is looking to expand its nonfood offerings with the test of a substantial home furnishings section at its Monks Cross store in York. Home...

Tesco to expand express format. (Global).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... LONDON -- The United Kingdom's largest supermarketer, Tesco PLC, plans to expand the rollout of its Tesco Express convenience format. The company currently has 78 Express outlets and is opening them at the rate of one per week. Until now...

Coles Myer maps plans for recovery, growth. (Global).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 22, 2002... SYDNEY, Australia -- Having completed an extensive strategic review of its diverse retail operations, Coles Myer Ltd., Australia's largest retailer, has unveiled its plans for recovery and its growth targets, which include doubling profits...

Woolworth results. (Global).(Woolworth Group PLC)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... LONDON -- Woolworth Group PLC posted a pretax loss of 46.4 million pounds for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2002. That contrasted to a profit of 54.3 million pounds (about $78 million) the prior year. The company's stock price actually...

PriceSmart unit. (Global).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 22, 2002... SAN DIEGO -- PriceSmart Inc. is continuing its aggressive global expansion by opening its third membership warehouse club in the Philippines and acquiring property for a flagship store in Kingston, Jamaica. The company, which operates...

Big W grows. (Global).(Woolworths Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Australia's Woolworths Ltd. plans to add five or six units to its Big W discount store chain annually. The stores feature a broad selection of merchandise, ranging from apparel and compact discs to electronics and garden supplies. ...

Anheuser-Bush malt beverage. (Merchandising News).(Bacardi Silver)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Anheuser-Busch Inc. has rolled out Bacardi Silver, a clear malt beverage made with the flavors of Bacardi rum and citrus. Available in six- and 12-packs of 12-ounce bottles, the beverage contains 5 percent alcohol by volume. Anheuser-Busch...

WPC brands nonchemical insect repellent. (Merchandising News).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... WPC Brands Inc. has expanded its Repel line of insect repellent to include lemon eucalyptus, a naturally based, long-lasting product available in a lotion and providing up to eight hours protection against mosquitoes and up to six hours...

Biore introduces facial moisturizer. (Merchandising News).(Andrew Jergens Co.)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Andrew Jergens Co. has expanded its Biore brand to include Beyond Smooth daily facial moisturizer to make facial hair softer, finer and less visible. In addition, the line has revamped its packaging by replacing the signature woman's facial...

Kellogg expands cereal bar category. (Merchandising News).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Kellogg Co. has launched Nutri-Grain yogurt cereal bars featuring the same whole grain crust as regular Nutri-Grain but with a creamy yogurt filling in three flavors--strawberry, blueberry and vanilla. The new bars sell for $3.19 per...

Eucerin offers dry skin itch relief. (Merchandising News).(Beiersdorf Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Beiersdorf Inc. has introduced Eucerin dry skin itch-relief moisturizing spray that features menthol and glycerin to moisturize and cool the skin. Selling for $7.85, the product contains no added fragrance. Beiersdorf Inc., 187 Danbury Rd.,...

Scripto rolls out highlighting tape. (Merchandising News).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Scripto Tokai Corp. has introduced Edit highlighter tape that enables users to highlight textbooks and various documents as well as to erase the marks when necessary. Available in 19-foot rolls, the tape dries quickly and does not skip. It...

Pond's skin care. (Merchandising News).(Unilever Home & Personal Care USA )(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Unilever Home & Personal Care USA has launched the Pond's Dramatic Results antiaging skin care collection. The line includes two moisturizing treatments--Pond's Dramatic Results antiwrinkle cream and Pond's Dramatic Results active face and neck...

Snapple energy drink blends juice and tea. (Merchandising News).(advertisement)
April 22, 2002... Snapple Beverage Group, a division of Cadbury Schweppes PLC, has expanded its Energy + line to include Infusion, a juice-infused tea. The beverage, a blend of mango-tangerine juice and real brewed tea, includes such herbal ingredients as...

A time to act boldly. (Spotlight).(highlights of new pricing report from McKinsey & Co.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 22, 2002... NEW YORK -- An economic downturn is as much a time to act boldly as to retrench, according to a new report on pricing from McKinsey & Co. "Pricing in a Downturn: A Tailored Response to Price Pressure," suggests that a recession may be the...

Exclusive lines set for Target. (Merchandising).(retailer is debuting three new lines of products)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... MINNEAPOLIS -- Target Corp. is debuting three exclusive lines of products this spring: a collection of electronics designed solely for the discount chain by Sony Corp., a line of metal serving ware made by Wilton Armetale and a wide-ranging...

Kmart ads take fresh approach. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... TROY, Mich. -- Kmart Corp.'s two new ad campaigns featuring award-winning singers and television spots by a high-profile film director may do very little to solve the discount chain's problems, critics of the spots say. The ads, which...

Walgreens Rx. (Merchandising).(launches benefit program for pharmacy patients 55 and older)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. has announced the launch of a benefit program for senior pharmacy patients. The new Walgreens Senior Dividends card earns participants cash dividends each time they pay for new or refilled prescriptions at...

Intelligrated provides distribution solutions. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... CINCINNATI -- Providing companies with solutions to the material-handling component of their logistics and distribution operations is the goal of Intelligrated Inc. "Logistics and distribution is a critical business unit to which retailers...

Cosmeceuticals market is hot. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 22, 2002... NEW YORK -- The market for cosmeceuticals, or cosmetic items that are perceived to deliver medicinal or drug-like benefits, represents one of the hottest areas of the personal care category, suggests a newly published report. According to...

Shampoo for dogs with sensitive skin. (Merchandising News).(advertisement)
April 22, 2002... Sergeant's Pet Care Products Inc. has introduced Skip Flea flea and tick shampoo designed specifically for dogs and puppies with sensitive skin. The shampoo includes oatmeal to relieve dry, itchy skin. Available in an 18-ounce bottle, the...

Combe's Lanacane medicated body lotion. (Merchandising News).(advertisement)
April 22, 2002... Combe Inc. has expanded its Lanacane line to include Lanacane medicated body lotion specifically formulated as a skin protectant for the entire body. Available in a 6-ounce bottle, the lotion contains dimethicone and vitamins C, E, A and D, and...

Rembrandt Plus bleaching system. (Merchandising News).(Rembrandt Oral Care Products, dental care)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 22, 2002... Rembrandt Oral Care Products, a division of Den-Mat Corp., has launched the Rembrandt Plus superior bleaching system that includes six whitening gel syringes, two mouthguards, a 2.6-ounce tube of Rembrandt Plus toothpaste and a 4-ounce bottle...

Neutrogena introduces body care line. (Merchandising News).(lotion and creams)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 22, 2002... Neutrogena Corp. has launched a line of body care products--Neutrogena Visibly Firm body lotion, Neutrogena anticellulite treatment and Neutrogena Visibly Younger hand cream. The body lotion and hand cream sell for $9.99 each, and the...

Cal-Mag fizz powdered supplement. (Merchandising News).(advertisement)
April 22, 2002... Baywood International Inc. has expanded the flavors of its Cal-Mag FIZZ powdered supplement line so that it now includes tropical fruit, mixed berry and lemon/lime. Baywood International Inc., 14950 N. 83rd PI., Scottsdale, Ariz.; (480)...

Revlon launches lip gloss. (Merchandising News).(LipGlide color gloss)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... Revlon Inc. has announced plans to introduce in June its LipGlide color gloss, which features the shine of a gloss, the coverage of a lip stick and the control of a pen. Selling for $9.50 each, LipGlide comes in 20 shades, including nude slip,...

Fellowship of the ring on DVD/VHS. (Merchandising News).(New Line Home Entertainment Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... New Line Home Entertainment Inc. has announced plans to release The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in both DVD and VHS formats on August 6. The double DVD set includes the PG-13 theatrical version of the film and a second disc...

Lola scrub brush with flexible handle. (Merchandising News).(Lola Products)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 22, 2002... Lola Products has introduced the Any Which Way scrub brush with a pointed end that offers a good grip for cleaning corners and other tight spots. The all-purpose product features a flexible handle that conforms to the surface being cleaned....

Cover girl summer makeup collection. (Merchandising News).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 22, 2002... Procter & Gamble's Cover Girl brand has announced plans to release in July its Fresh Complexion oil-control makeup and Fresh Complexion under-eye concealer. Also debuting is the Stonewashed color collection with beige and blue shades for eyes...

Award goes to Concord for Camera. (Merchandising News).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- Concord Camera Corp. has been awarded the Innovative Digital Product Award from the Digital Imaging Marketing Association (DIMA). The award, given to products that use technology in a unique way, was for Concord's Eye-Q...

Breathe Right Debuts Snore Relief. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 22, 2002... MINNEAPOLIS -- CNS Inc. has introduced Breathe Right Snore Relief throat spray, a drug-free remedy that it says has been clinically proven to reduce the incidence of snoring. The product is expected to begin shipping in July. "Snore...

AG and Nickelodeon tout Jimmy Neutron. (Merchandising).(American Greetings)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... CLEVELAND -- American Greetings has teamed up with the Nickelodeon television network to promote the cartoon character Jimmy Neutron and the lines of party goods and back-to-school products containing his image. Called the Jimmy Neutron...

Something new in oral care. (Merchandising).(Fresh & Go USA Inc.)(toothbrush contains own toothpaste)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... WHEELING, Ill. -- Fresh & Go USA Inc. has introduced an innovation into the oral care category with a toothbrush that contains its own supply of toothpaste. Launched last August the product, which is available at Walgreen Co. and Meijer...

Net users favor digital cameras. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 22, 2002... BOSTON -- A recent study from InfoTrends Research Group Inc. indicates that digital cameras are slowly replacing film-based cameras among people who also use the Internet. In a survey of more than 1,850 households connected to the...

Viruses control the action. (Cough/Cold).(number of sick people determines drug sales)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 22, 2002... NEW YORK -- Cough/cold category sales always depend on something beyond the control of retailers or vendors: the action of billions of viruses. This year the category was also affected by other factors, including the anthrax scare that hit...

Antihistamines stronger than alcohol. (Merchandising).(study on driving ability impairment)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... NEW YORK -- Taking some kinds of antihistamines can impair driving ability more than being legally drunk, researchers have found. The recent study, conducted by the University of Iowa, compared the effect on driving performance of four...

Possible FDA okay of switches on horizon. (Merchandising).(prescription to over-the-counter status for some allergy drugs)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... NEW YORK -- The Food and Drug Administration is considering making Claritin and other allergy drugs available without a prescription. Such a move would provide a big boost to the over-the-counter cough/cold/allergy category in mass retail...

Gearing up for a severe allergy season. (Cough/Cold).(market for allergy treatment products)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... NEW YORK -- An estimated 40 million or more Americans suffer from allergies, creating a sizable market for the makers of products designed to treat the condition. And while the recent cold and flu season was disappointing, at least in...

Flavor counts in compliance. (Merchandising).(cough, cold, flu products)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Getting their products to taste good is a major challenge for makers of cough, cold and flu products. A recent comparison of products done by the consulting firm Arthur D. Little Inc. found significant taste differences...

Meeting children's special needs. (Merchandising).(cold, flu products)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... NEW YORK -- Children catch more colds than adults, making them (and their parents) an important target [hr makers of over-the-counter cough/cold and flu products. Addressing this market can pose added challenges, however, since remedies...

Efficacy, good taste in throat remedies. (Merchandising).(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... NEW YORK -- Effective relief and a good taste are two of the things people want most from sore throat remedies, and a number of manufacturers take great pains to deliver on both counts. Ricola USA Inc., for example, prides itself on the...

Line extensions protect brands. (Cough/Cold).(Nyquil, Alka-Seltzer medications)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... NEW YORK -- Successful products in the cough/cold arena frequently spawn line extensions as vendors tap their brand equity while adding products for specific symptoms. Procter & Gamble Co.'s Vick's Nyquil brand, for example, has been...

Data supports claims for zinc. (Merchandising).(cold remedies)(Brief Article)
April 22, 2002... NEW YORK -- Zinc's growing popularity as an ingredient in cold remedies appears to have scientific merit. Recent studies suggest products containing zinc can in fact lessen the severity of colds and speed recovery. Improvita Health...