Drug Store News
Rite Aid on Monday launched a new integrated marketing campaign in support of wellness+ with Plenti, created by Rite Aid's long-time agency partner MARC U.S.A. The new television spot shows how consumers can benefit from Rite Aid joining forces with their other favorite brands. The campaign is designed to reach not only Rite Aid customers but also customers of other Plenti partners including AT&T, Exxon, Macy's, Mobil, Nationwide, Direct Energy, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Hulu.
Nation's Restaurant News
Front Burner Restaurants LP, parent to the Twin Peaks chain, has revoked the franchise agreement of the Waco, Texas, unit where nine people were killed in a shootout between motorcycle gangs, as well as with police, the company said Monday. Addison, Texas-based Front Burner said in a statement that the franchised casual-dining restaurant, which opened in August, had not followed advice to enhance security to prevent possible motorcycle gang violence.
Huffington Post
Under Armour is killing a new shirt design appropriates the famous photo by Joe Rosenthal of U.S. Marines and seamen raising the American flag on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima. In a series of tweets and a Facebook post, the brand apologized for the "Band of Ballers" shirts, which replace the flag and pole for a basketball goal and net, with players instead of soldiers erecting it.
Detroit Bureau
The introduction of the new Chevy Camaro and the celebration of the 50th anniversary the Ford Mustang hasn't hurt FCA's muscle cars - Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcats and the Viper. Sales are so strong that FCA U.S., formerly Chrysler Group, capped orders for the hot-selling 707-horsepower Hellcat models. Dodge and SRT received more than 4,500 orders for the new 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat in just the first five days after orders opened in September.
Wall Street Journal
The folks at Target Corp. are leaving a bad taste in the mouths of people over at Campbell Soup Co., General Mills Inc., Kellogg Co. and others. The Minneapolis retailer doesn't want to promote their products as much as it has in the past, as it follows consumer trends toward healthier products. The company said it will, for example, favor granola and yogurt over sugary cereals like Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Corn Flakes. Also canned soup, facing a long decline, will be demoted
The Atlantic
Bourbon is big again in the U.S. But who knew that one of the iconic brands, I.W. Harper, founded in the 1800's was founded by a Jewish emigrant. Driven by the appeal of history, heritage, and authenticity, Diageo, the world's largest spirits producer, is bringing I.W. Harper bourbon back to U.S. markets. At the jump, a fascinating story about Jews and booze, that even mentions Henry Ford's diatribe against how distilling was one more business ruined by Jewish ownership.
Chicago Tribune
U.S. sales in the fast-casual segment are expected to reach $62 billion by 2019, up from $39 billion last year. Millennials seeking higher quality food are pushing that growth. Fast casual is is stealing the lunch of quick-service players like McDonald's and Subway. In 2014, the segment grew to own 16% of the limited-service restaurant market, up from 12% in 2009. By 2019, it's expected to reach 21%.
Supermarket News
Shopping carts have cup holders for customers to store their beer glasses. A keg-equipped "beer bike" rides around the store transporting beer to shoppers. A brewmaster peruses the store for ingredients. This is all happening at Whole Foods Market's new Houston store, home to the Whole Foods Brewing Co., the retailer's first in-store microbrewery. A second on-site microbrewery opened in December 2014 in Emeryville, Calif.
Crain's Detroit Business
The health care industry is is favoring social media. While total spending on health care appears to be holding steady the past few years, the percentage devoted to TV, radio and print advertising has declined somewhat; Internet media advertising has grown. The idea now is to tailor more messages to specific populations using the Internet or direct mail. Henry Ford Health System in Michigan spent 9% of its ad budget on digital spending in 2011. By 2015, digital spend is up to 40%.
Detroit Bureau
Kelley Blue Book is out with its list of best cars under $18,000. The top recommendation is the Mazda3, which has been on the list every year, per KBB.com. Said Jack Nerad, executive editorial director for KBB.com. "All of them are fun, stylish and versatile to varying degrees, and each is enticingly affordable." Others on the list: Volkswagen Golf; Kia Soul; Jeep Renegade; Honda Civic Coupe; Ford Fiesta; Honda Fit; Chevrolet Sonic; Subaru Impreza; and Fiat 500.