Cross-Merchandising

Welch's Fruit Snacks have launched Welch's PB&J Snacks, which combines peanut butter and jelly in one treat.

The bite-size snacks have a chewy center made with real fruit, which is surrounded by a peanut butter coating, according to the company. Snackers can choose from four varieties: Concord Grape or Strawberry center and creamy or crunch peanut butter outside.

Lands' End is looking to further its position as a lifestyle brand by entering the body care category with the launch of its Coastal Living Body Care Collection.   

The body care collection includes lavender and honey blossom scented body lotion, hand cream and body wash, and is available at landsend.com.

The nation’s leading apple juice brand has launched a new line of juice drinks that offer an appealing combination of kid-friendly bold flavors and mom-satisfying reduced sugar content.

Mott’s, a division of Dr Pepper Snapple Group, said it launched Fruit Punch Rush, Wild Grape Surge and Strawberry Boom with 40% less sugar than found in fruit juice, no artificial sweeteners and 100% of daily vitamin C requirement.

New York -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index, which tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending, rose in December 2013. The Index, which comprises four components, tax burden, initial unemployment claims, real wages and real home prices, increased to 4.3 in December from 3.9 the prior month.

Kroger is test-marketing the giving of 1,000 "fuel points" toward discounted gas for each transferred prescription versus the traditional $25 Kroger gift card, according to a blog published on The Houston Chronicle website Wednesday.

Toronto -- The HBC Department Store Group announced the launch of a new mobile shopping application for both its Hudson’s Bay and Lord & Taylor divisions that allows customers to instantly buy products seen in print by simply scanning an image.

HBC is partnering with Pounce, a mobile app that turns static print ads into instant digital storefronts by enabling customers to scan product images and complete a purchase in less than 30 seconds. It provides a secure, one-tap checkout, integrating with the retailer’s existing e-commerce system

Chevy Chase, Md. — Simon Property Group has promoted Sean Mayo, former director of strategic partnerships for Simon Business Ventures, to regional director of marketing, east region of The Mills portfolio.

Adconion Direct, a leading global cross-channel digital advertising company, has named Nathan Jokinen as VP of strategic development. Jokinen spent nearly a decade in business development and digital strategy at Target.