Packaging

Au Bon Pain is updating its brand experience with a new customer-centric design that gives the store a more distinct personality. It also makes the space easier to navigate, with the layout redesigned to speed service.

“We’re taking the customer experience to the next level,” said Sue Morelli, CEO for Au Bon Pain, which operates 318 locations in the United States and internationally. “The response we’ve been getting to our new prototype has validated our decision to accelerate our growth, including going to new markets nationally.”

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — Children's interest are constantly changing, but right now Justin Bieber is tops with kids. According to a May NPD Group survey, when asked what they thought the kids they know would identify as the hottest new thing these days, 10% of participants said Justin Bieber. 

Though Bieber topped the list in May, he garnered a higher percentage (14%) when the survey was first conducted in February, indicating that interest in the pop singer could be waning. 

LAS VEGAS — Nickelodeon has announced the launch of Team Umizoomi, the first line of preschool products to focus entirely on math, to be sold exclusively at Toys"R"Us stores. The line, which is based on the TV show of the same name, will debut with the Team Umizoomi Preschool Math Kits, appearing in stores this July. The Team Umizoomi Math Kits also can be purchased online from Nickelodeon in mid-July.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — HSN announced that Jennifer Lopez will launch her new fragrance Love & Light exclusively on HSN on July 2.

HSN said it is also offering fans the chance to win a private meet-and-greet with Lopez at the HSN set on July 2. The comany is accepting entries via its Facebook page and HSN.com through June 14.

The prize package will also include:

• Airfare for a winner and guest

• Two nights at the historic Vinoy Renaissance Resort and Golf Club in St. Petersburg, FL

CARLISLE, Pa. — Royal Ahold banner Giant Food Stores is giving its private-label products a new look.

GLENDALE, Calif. — Disney Consumer Products has created a new line of branded baby products, the first of which is an infant bodysuit made of 100% cotton. The Disney "Cuddly Bodysuit" comes with a second row of snaps that allow the bodysuit to “grow” with baby, available on Amazon.com/DisneyBaby this month and at select retailers this fall, the company reported.

MONTVALE, N.J. — Grocer A&P has announced the launch of a brand-new line of Angus beef in its stores.

Woodson & James choice Angus beef, exclusive to A&P banner stores, will replace the current beef steak and roast offerings in all A&P, Pathmark, Superfresh, Waldbaum's and Food Emporium stores beginning May 27.

The new and exclusive Woodson & James Angus beef line features U.S. Department of Agriculture choice Angus beef that is grain-fed and single-sourced.

CLEVELAND — Glidden announced that on May 21 to 22 it will hold demonstrations at nearly 1,000 Walmart stores nationwide to showcase its exclusive ready-to-go paint testers with built-in brush attached to the lid. The two-ounce paint testers are available in all 306 colors in the Glidden Brilliance Collection palette. 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Samantha Brown, the popular Travel Channel host, has partnered with HSN to launch Samantha Brown Luggage, her first-ever exclusive collection of travel gear. 

"I want to help travelers simplify their lives as they experience the world with luggage that's functional and fashionable at accessible price points," said Brown.

Turns out Shakespeare’s famous line, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” doesn’t quite fit with every scenario. Case in point, Wal-Mart Stores, which, according to Millward Brown Optimor’s BrandZ ranking of the top 20 global retail brands, saw its brand value diminish when it decided to rename its Wal-Mart stores, Walmart.