Research Topic

The Dr Pepper Snapple Group is looking to build on the success of last year’s introduction of Dr Pepper TEN by extending the low calorie franchise to its other leading brands.

Business-to-consumer e-commerce sales in 2012 grew 21.1% to top $1 trillion for the first time, according to new global estimates by research firm, eMarketer. 

The firm predicts that 2013 will be even better, with e-commerce sales up 18.3% to $1.298 trillion worldwide, on the strength of the Asia-Pacific market. 

CHICAGO — Consumers are better able to make informed decisions when it comes to grocery shopping, meaning new strategies are needed in order to reach them, according to a new report from SymphonyIRI Group.

By Jeff Weidauer, [email protected]

Asheville, N.C. -- Ingles Markets Inc. said Monday that its fiscal first-quarter net income increased 9%. The supermarket chain earned $11.6 million for the quarter ended Dec. 29, up from $10.6 million a year ago.

Revenue rose 2% to $932.8 million, from $918.2 million. Ingles Markets said that weekly customer visits increased 1.4% during the quarter, while the average amount that customers spent was nearly unchanged.

Ingles Markets operates 203 supermarkets in six states in the southeastern U.S.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Mattel reported a fourth-quarter net sales increase of 5% to $2.26 billion from $2.15 billion for the same period last year.

For the fourth quarter, the company reported net income of $306.5 million, or 87 cents per share, compared with last year's fourth quarter net income of $370.6 million, or $1.07 per share. 

ATLANTA — Newell Rubbermaid reported that net sales in the fourth quarter were $1.52 billion, an increase of 1.6% compared with the prior year. Sales growth was largely attributable to the tools, baby and parenting and writing segments and to robust growth in Latin America, the company said.

San Francisco -- A survey released Monday by online reservation firm OpenTable found that, when Valentine’s Day bookends a weekend, it tends to benefit restaurants.

Valentine’s Day, which falls on a Thursday this year, will likely be celebrated beyond the official day, as diners continue to celebrate over the following weekend.

The Valentine’s Day survey also found that the projected check average this year is $139, which is 63% higher than the typical OpenTable check average of $85 per couple.