May / June 2012

These are just a few of the findings highlighted in SymphonyIRI's 2011 New Product Pacesetters analysis, an industry-recognized benchmark of exceptional first-year CPG sales for newly launched products.

To increase revenue, retailers are placing increased emphasis on consumer experience, cleanliness, store innovation, new products and loyalty programs.

So Hy-Vee reversed course, restocking the product a week after the controversy erupted. To Ric Jurgens, chairman, chief executive and president of the West Des Moines, Iowa-based company, offering the product was the right thing to do.

Benefits and wages are two factors often linked to employee satisfaction and retention. Economic pressures have curtailed many retailers' ability to give sizeable wage increases, but none are forecasting wage cuts, according to a recent survey conducted by Retail Leader.