NEWS WATCH: HEALTH AND WELLNESS TRENDS TO WATCH FOR '06...FOODARAMA TO TEST DIGITAL DISPLAY UNITS...A&P ANNOUNCES PRICE 'FREEZE'

HEALTH AND WELLNESS TRENDS TO WATCH FOR '06

ches through Oct. 31 in the United States are running 6.5% ahead of the same period in 2004, and the tempo is expected to continue in 2006, Productscan Online here said in a press release identifying the Top 10 trends in packaged goods. Omega-3-fortified foods are penetrating categories like bread and pasta, while whole grains are showing up in products including soup, pretzels, crackers and even pet food, the research firm said. Energy products are taking the form of bars and alcoholic drinks. Chocolate is making a new appearance in beverages, while calorie-controlled food packages are expected to expand into new categories. Organic and gluten-free foods are gaining traction.

FOODARAMA TO TEST DIGITAL DISPLAY UNITS

FREEHOLD, N.J. -- Shop-Rite operator Foodarama here plans to begin a four-week, five-store test Dec. 11 of new merchandising units combined with digital displays. Hillshire Farm is promoting its shelf-stable summer sausage using the units, which resemble handtrucks topped with screens showing videos with sound about the product. Each test store will have 10 units placed within store perimeters. The units are made by Captive Audience, Vernon, N.J., which plans to sell them to stores and share the ad revenue with them. The company said that when it tested its units with a product other than the sausage, sales of product on the shippers rose as much as 50% compared with sales of the same product on shippers without digital displays.

A&P ANNOUNCES PRICE 'FREEZE'

MONTVALE, N.J. -- A&P here announced a "price freeze" on more than 3,000 items from Nov. 26 to Dec. 30. The "new lower prices" are available to Savings Card holders and include national- and store-brand grocery items, according to store circulars. Sale items include Campbell's condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, 74 cents; America's Choice apple juice, 99 cents for a 64-ounce bottle; and Birds Eye frozen vegetables, 99 cents per 9- to 12-ounce package. Banners participating in the promotion include A&P, Farmer Jack and Waldbaums.