Convenience Retailer

CandyRific to Launch Line of Trash Pack Novelties

Novelty confectionery company CandyRific recently announces a new licensing agreement with Moose Enterprise for the Trash Pack™. Now, CandyRific is set to launch a line of interactive novelty items featuring this line of garbage-inspired collectibles.

The Trash Pack, fondly known as the “Gross Gang in Your Garbage,” includes soft collectable characters, trading cards, storage and playsets. The Trash Pack toy line is available in most major U.S. toy retailers, with 130 million “Trashies” sold worldwide. However, the Trash Pack brand is poised to gain momentum in the United States, with a $3 million U.S. marketing budget for the coming year year. Marketing of the brand will focus in particular on a major television advertising campaign expected to air on Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Cartoon Network, Disney XD, HUB, CW, Teletoon, VRAK and YTV.

As part of the agreement, CandyRific will introduce two Trash Pack novelties that will be available for shipping beginning in June 2013. The Trash Pack Light Up Slime Wand will provide kids with hours of fun grossing out their friends. The colorful Trash Pack Light Up Slime Wand  turns fluorescent green at the push of a button and comes complete with .53 oz. of microbytes candy.

The Trash Pack Pop Up Glow Light features a hideous, repugnant Trashie popping out of his trash can to light your path through the garbage. The Trash Pack Pop Up Glow Light also includes .53 oz. of microbytes candy. The MSRP of the both products in CandyRific’s Trash Pack line is $3.99, and both ship in cases of six 12-count displays.

CandyRific sells candy and novelty product combinations utilizing popular licensed brands, including M&M’S®, SKITTLES®, STARBURST®, Disney, Scooby-Doo and Dreamworks.  All products have a high perceived value, are merchandised in colorful displays and are especially popular with collectors. The company has distribution deals with many major retailers in the United States and in almost every major market in the world. Retailers interested in CandyRific novelties can call 502.893.3626 or visit www.candyrific.com

Product of the day—JambaGO Express Smoothies

Jamba Juice Company recently announced the launch of two exciting new smoothie flavors, providing consumers with additional choices in its JambaGO® express smoothie concept. JambaGO was designed to facilitate the rapid expansion of Jamba’s brand presence into venues where healthier, quick serve options have become an essential component of the menu offering. These venues include convenience stores, primary schools, college campuses, grocery delis and entertainment venues.

The two new flavor offerings include Mango Magnifico™, a tropical mix of mango, pineapple and orange, and Apple Cherry Chill™, the perfect pairing of apples and cherries, bursting with flavor.

Jamba Juice successfully met its 2012 JambaGO® goal of having its products offered in over 400 locations. The company expects continued, exponential growth in 2013. “The introduction of two new JambaGO® flavors signifies our acknowledgement that we have developed an innovative and differentiated solution for foodservice providers seeking healthier beverage options for their constituents. We are very pleased with our progress and expect to open an additional 1,000 served locations in 2013,” said James D. White, Chairman, President and CEO of Jamba Juice. “The popularity of our brand and quality of our products have facilitated rapid expansion of the JambaGO® concept and broadened brand awareness among new fans in new locations across the U.S.”

Founded in 1990, Jamba Juice Company is a leading restaurant retailer of better-for-you, specialty beverage and food offerings, which include great tasting, whole fruit smoothies, fresh squeezed juices and juice blends, hot coffee and teas, hot oatmeal, breakfast wraps, bistro sandwiches and mini-wraps, California Flatbreads™, frozen yogurt, and a variety of baked goods and snacks. Jamba-branded products for at-home enjoyment are also available through select retailers across the nation and in Jamba outlets. As of October 2, 2012, there were 788 store locations throughout the world. Fans of Jamba Juice can learn more about specific offerings and promotions, and find a location near them by visiting the Jamba Juice website at www.jambajuice.com.

Product of the day—Triscuit Brown Rice Crackers

Triscuit, the cracker with a century-long commitment to wheat, is launching a new line of crackers made from brown rice. Brown Rice Triscuits start with 100 percent whole grain brown rice and wheat, weaving in pieces of delicious sweet potato or red beans to bring a new taste to the cracker aisle. By introducing brown rice to its wheat cracker, these new Triscuit crackers offer a lighter texture with a crispier crunch. The crackers are baked with delicious real ingredients and seasonings and are available in five delicious flavors, including tomato & sweet basil, sea salt & black pepper, savory red bean, red bean and roasted red pepper and sweet potato with roasted sweet onion. “Triscuit is beloved and trusted for its commitment to simple, wholesome ingredients, but we know our enthusiasts are eager for variety in flavor and texture,” said Katie Williams, Senior Marketing Director at Mondelez International. “Brown Rice Triscuit offers a distinctive taste, accessible to everyone, using exciting, real ingredients like red beans and sweet potatoes.”

Mondelez International
www.mondelezinternational.com

Product of the day—ABSOLUT MEXICO Vodka

Continuing its long history of rich and creative collaborations, ABSOLUT® VODKA recently announced that its limited edition bottle design, ABSOLUT MEXICO, will soon be available in the United States for the first time. The bottle made its debut in Mexico last year. ABSOLUT MEXICO pays homage to Mexican culture and to the country’s multicultural heritage. This limited edition was developed in partnership with Oaxaca-based artist Dr. Lakra, one of Mexico’s most renowned contemporary artists and tattooists. The work of Dr. Lakra, also known as Jeronimo Lopez Ramirez, has been featured in exhibitions and museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Hammer Museum and the Walker Art Center. For the ABSOLUT MEXICO bottle art, Dr. Lakra combines three legendary icons from ancient Mayan culture—Hurricane, Serpent and Jaguar—bringing them to life on the bottle through a modern artistic lens that represents Mexico today. In addition, the bottle’s colors in shades of orange, green, blue and yellow make the product not only a delicious libation, but a stunning visual sight as well. 

Pernod Ricard USA
www.pernod-ricard-usa.com

Product of the day—Hood Greek Frozen Yogurt

Hood®, the leading dairy brand in New England, has introduced a new Greek Frozen Yogurt, combining low-fat frozen yogurt with delectable ingredients like raspberry swirls, granola crunch and chocolate chips. Made with live and active cultures, each serving of Hood Greek Frozen Yogurt packs five grams of protein. Different from traditional frozen yogurt, Greek Frozen Yogurt features a richer and creamier texture and taste to match its higher protein content. Available in quart size containers, Hood Greek Frozen Yogurt is available in four different flavors, including blueberry, double chocolate chip, honey vanilla and raspberry granola. “Greek Frozen Yogurt is an exciting addition to the Hood family of frozen dairy products,” said Sarah Barow, spokesperson for Hood. “With the popularity of Greek yogurt continuing to grow, we think consumers will be eager to try this refreshing new frozen treat. Hood’s rich and creamy Greek Frozen Yogurt offers delicious lowfat flavors that are high in protein, giving New Englanders a smarter way to indulge.”

Hood
800.662.4468
www.hood.com

Product of the day—Outshine Coconut Waters Bars

The newest product innovation from the Edy’s parent brand is Outshine Coconut Waters bars, the first national coconut water-based frozen fruit bars to reach retail shelves. The new Coconut Waters bars provide a blast of fruit goodness in every delicious bite. Each flavor has 60 calories per bar, and consumers can enjoy a refreshing, wholesome snack that is both non-fat and non-dairy and offers the hydrating benefits of coconut water. The new product line includes two refreshing flavors: Coconut Waters with Banana is infused with sweet, creamy banana puree blended with real young coconut water for a smooth frozen treat. Coconut Waters with Pineapple combines young coconut water with chunks of real pineapple for a tropical twist. “The popularity of coconut water has exploded with more than 23 million U.S. consumers enjoying coconut water-based beverages,” said Kerry Hopkins, Outshine Brand Manager. “By blending delicious young coconut water with refreshing fruit, we’ve created a totally invigorating snack for coconut lovers everywhere.”

Nestlé Dreyer’s Ice Cream Company
888.590.3397
www.outshinesnacks.com

Product of the day—UV Candy Bar Vodka

Phillips Distilling Company recently unveiled the world’s first candy bar-flavored vodka, UV Candy Bar. Infused with all-natural milk chocolate, velvety caramel and peanut butter flavors, UV Candy Bar is a sippable sweet indulgence. UV Candy Bar is the 17th flavor in the growing UV Vodka flavor portfolio. Sales of UV Vodka’s wildly successful dessert flavored category, including UV Cake, UV Chocolate Cake and UV Whipped, have increased 81 percent over the last year. “Originality is the core of our brand,” said Pedro Caceres, President and CEO of Phillips. “UV Candy Bar provides consumers with a one-of-a-kind flavor profile, bold, unique and sweet. We look forward to unprecedented success as the demand for our confectionery flavors rise.” UV Vodka is distilled four times for premium quality and activated carbon-filtered to ensure the highest level of purity and the perfect pH balance. UV Candy Bar is available in all bottle sizes with a suggested retail price of $12.99 for a 750mL bottle.

Phillips Distilling Company
612.362.7500
www.uvvodka.com

Pepsi Launches First New Bottle In 16 Years

Pepsi has unveiled a new single-serve bottle for Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi MAX and Pepsi NEXT beverages. This marks the company’s first bottle design update since 1996. A visual expression of the brand’s “Excitement of Now” marketing slogan, the bottle is rolling out in markets nationwide starting in April, available in both 16-oz. and 20-oz. sizes. A new, 12-oz. glass bottle will also be offered as a premium package in select stores. Conversion of other Pepsi products into the new bottles will take place over the next few years.

“This new bottle is the next milestone in Pepsi’s Live For Now marketing campaign,” said Angelique Krembs, Vice President of Pepsi Marketing. “Our single serve bottle is the most visible and tangible connection point we have with our consumers, and we love how the new bottle expresses our brand DNA.”

The new bottle’s bold swirl and elevated profile reflect the brand’s attributes and youthful spirit. The etched, grip-able bottom allows consumers to have a more stimulating tactile interaction with the bottle itself. The new bottle is the first iteration of the redesign of the full portfolio currently underway under the stewardship of PepsiCo’s Chief Design Officer Mauro Porcini. Customers can expect additional redesigns to be rolled out throughout the next year.

PepsiCo is a global food and beverage leader with net revenues of more than $65 billion and a product portfolio that includes 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in annual retail sales. The company makes hundreds of enjoyable foods and beverages that are loved throughout the world. PepsiCo is committed not only to providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats, but also to finding innovative ways to minimize the company’s impact on the environment, to conserving energy and water and other natural resources, to providing a great workplace for its associates and to respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where it operates. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

Product of the day—Theo Congo Chocolate Bars

Theo Chocolate, the first and only organic and fair trade-certified chocolate maker in North America, recently launched its Congo chocolate bar series. Theo has partnered with Eastern Congo Initiative to create its first-ever chocolate offering made from 100 percent Congolese cocoa. A portion of proceeds will be donated to ECI to improve the livelihoods of farmers and their families in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Theo created its Congo bars in two delicious new dark chocolate flavors: Pili Pili Chili, an intensely warming blend of cocoa, vanilla and spicy pili pili peppers, and Vanilla Nib, a scrumptious mix of cocoa, creamy vanilla and crunchy cocoa nibs. In keeping with Theo’s high sourcing standards, the cocoa, vanilla, and peppers used in its Congo selections are organic, fair trade-certified, and grown by Congolese farmers dedicated to quality and sustainability. Theo Congo bars are currently on shelves at grocery, drug and specialty stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $4.99.

Theo Chocolate
206.632.5100
www.theochocolate.com

Bosselman Pump & Pantry Convenience Stores Partner with Cinnabon

Pump & Pantry convenience stores, operated by the Bosselman Companies, recently announced a partnership with Cinnabon and Focus Brands, Inc. to feature Cinnabon’s World Famous Cinnamon Rolls and other Cinnabon items in select Pump & Pantry locations. Pump & Pantry is the first and only convenience store chain in the United States to sign on with Cinnabon.

“We are thrilled to continue our expansion in non-traditional venues with great partners like Bosselman Pump & Pantry,” said Cinnabon CEO Kat Cole. “[Pump & Pantry’s] location spread, strong corporate culture and consistent operations make them the perfect partner to help us bring Cinnabon’s world famous baked goods to Nebraska and surrounding states.”

“Forming this partnership with Cinnabon is a fantastic expansion of our offerings to our customers,” said Charlie Bosselman, CEO of Bosselman Companies. “We couldn’t be more excited to team up with such an outstanding company and to make the world’s most famous cinnamon rolls and other baked goods available to our customers. We are honored and privileged to be the first and only convenience store chain in the nation to partner with Cinnabon.”

The first Cinnabon location inside a Pump & Pantry is scheduled to open on April 5 at the 370 Express location at 11108 Sapp Brothers Drive in Omaha, Neb. The location will feature a full Cinnabon Bakery, where products are freshly baked and served on-premises in front of the customer during the majority of store operating hours. Take-home packs will be available for customers to take with them during all hours of operation.

Cinnabon product offerings available at Pump & Pantry convenience stores will include freshly baked cinnamon rolls, take-home packs, Chillatas blended frozen beverages and Cinnabon Iced Coffee. Additional Pump & Pantry locations will soon follow the Sapp Brothers Drive location in introducing their own in-store Cinnabon operations. Grand Island, Neb., the corporate headquarters of the Bosselman Companies, will be receiving its first Cinnabon location when the South Locust Pump & Pantry opens its operation in May. This will be followed by the Capital Avenue location in Grand Island, set to open a Cinnabon later this summer.
 
Founded in 1948, The Bosselman Companies own and operate 48 Pump & Pantry convenience stores, 41 Boss Shops, the Bosselman Travel Center, three Pump & Pantry Motels and a number of other hotels, motels, restaurants and bars. The company also owns the Nebraska Danger Indoor Professional Football Team. Bosselman’s is a family organization in its third generation that has expanded across the nation. It now operates businesses in 23 states and employs 1,200 individuals. For more information, visit www.bosselman.com.