99 Cents Only, which pioneered the single-price retail concept in 1982 in Los Angeles, has expanded to 277 locations in California and the Southwest. But 99 cents isn't what it used to be, and CEO Eric Schiffer admits that change may be overdue. "When you are part of a family that comes up with a concept, sometimes you're the last to admit that it needs to be changed," he says. The deep-discount retailer sells groceries, household supplies and health and beauty products, and remains one of the few true "dollar" stores. Family Dollar Stores, a chain of more than …

Under Food and Drug Administration rules, ads that don't directly name a drug don't have to include the reading of possible side effects that can chew up expensive television time. Some drug marketers are taking advantage of that loophole by running TV spots that direct viewers to Web sites without mentioning the name of the product being sold, or its possible side effects. Pfizer, for example, has a commercial in which a middle-age woman tells the camera about her cigarette habit. During the 60-second commercial, a voice discusses ways to break the habit and directs viewers …

Driven by the health and wellness trend, sales of superpremium juice drinks rose 12.8% in 2007, according to a report from the Beverage Marketing Corporation. The group includes fresh packaged juice, which is typically 100% fruit juice, or drinks that are similarly positioned in the market. Marketing for the sub-segment often contains terms like "antioxidants" and "omega fatty acids." The study highlights POM Wonderful pomegranate juice as a prime example in the market place. The growth of superfruits is also demonstrated by the purple açaí berry from the Amazonian rainforest, which manufacturers boast contains antioxidants and omega …

When General Mill unveiled gymnast Nastia Liukin and decathlete Brian Clay as the Olympic-faces-to-be on its Wheaties boxes Thursday, the bigger news was who wasn't going to be munching the Breakfast of Champions this year. That's because eight-time gold medalist Michael Phelps has been signed by Kellogg's to grace its Frosted Flakes and Corn Flakes boxes. The PR coup comes as Phelps rides an almost unprecedented wave of publicity. He has, for instance, agreed to appear on "Saturday Night Live" and MTV's Video Music Awards. General Mills spokeswoman Shelly Dvorak is quick to point out that although Phelps …