Between 2010 and 2015, high unemployment, stagnant disposable income, volatile energy costs and a changing mass-market perception of dollar stores contributed to a 3.3 percent growth rate, $66.7 billion in revenue and a $2.6 billion profit for the channel, according to IBISWorld’s September 2015 report titled “Dollar & Variety Stores in the US.”

Even though consumers always will have to shop for groceries, the channels in which they visit continually change, and supermarkets now are feeling the pressures of these changes.

Red Mango Yogurt Cafe Smoothie & Juice Bar, a division of Dallas-based BRIX Holdings LLC, expanded its lineup of healthy products with the launch of a new one-day juice plan: Raw6.

Reflecting the evolving needs of today's consumer and the increased desire for more better-for-you choices on-the-go, Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc. launched a new, state-of-the-art food and beverage vending initiative called Hello Goodness. 

The world of retail is ever-changing, and retailers continually have to innovate and adapt to the changing times and consumer.

As consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers get ready to transition into the 2016 calendar year, Chicago-based Mintel released its “2016 Food & Drink Trends” report. The 12 trends cover a range of topics including eCommerce and natural formulations.

The movement to become closer to one’s food source and consumers craving more healthful food and beverage options have buoyed the growth of the $53.5 billion natural and organic business, according to Rockville, Md.-based Packaged Fact’s July 2014 report titled “Natural and Organic Foods and Beverages in the U.S., 4th Edition.”

SKU proliferation has left its mark on the consumer packaged goods (CPG) market. But innovative new products aren’t just for the retail shelves. Foodservice operations also are developing new beverages to entice consumers.

The start of the 2015-2016 school year is just around the corner, and students between the ages of five and 18 will continue to find healthier beverages and snacks in vending machines, a la carte lines and school stores due to the Smart Snacks in School regulation enacted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in July 2014.

Jamba Juice Co., Emeryville, Calif., is teaming up with ClassPass, the premier fitness membership, for a special event collaboration to unveil three new flavor additions to its Freshly Squeezed Juice line: Veggie Vitality, Cucumber Orange Cooler and Orange Supreme.