2006 "Build a Better Mousetrap" New Product Innovations of the Year

Non-alcoholic beer for dogs, hot dogs made with salmon, cappuccino-flavored cider and light beer fortified with vitamins were some of the more unusual new product innovations reported in 2006 by Datamonitor's Productscan Online database of new products.

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2007 "Build a Better Mousetrap" New Product Innovations of the Year

Wasabi flavored sorbet, powdered peanut butter, beer with nicotine and hot dogs coated with yogurt were among the most unusual new product innovations reported worldwide in 2007 by Datamonitor's Productscan Online database of new products.

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7-Eleven: expanding at a cost

7-Eleven has announced a Q4 net loss of $11.5 million compared to a gain of $17.1 million for Q4 2001. Despite this, the outlook for the company remains strong for 2003. As it continues to improve efficiency and expand, 7-Eleven must take care not to stretch resources too thinly.

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7-Eleven: fueling fitness and fatness

Convenience store 7-Eleven's introduction of the new Formula 7 range of energy drinks and bars highlights the increasingly mainstream nature of the functional food market in the US. But while there is evidence that such products can improve athletes' performance, they may be more damaging to the health of inactive consumers than regular confectionery and carbonated drinks.

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7-Eleven: shaping the convenience industry

Dallas-based 7-Eleven [SE] has grown to become a giant in the convenience store business, in terms of both sales and the immense influence it exercises over the product mix in the industry. Its commitment to product innovation has proved profitable but manufacturer support is required to sustain the flow of new products into the future.

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7UP: green with envy

Attempting to turn things upside down in carbonated soft drinks is a noble goal for Cadbury Schweppes. However, whether it succeeds with its new product - green and caffienated dnL - remains to be seen. The company will need to be more innovative if it is to steal brand loyalty in an already over-crowded flavored soft drink marketplace.

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A-list celebrity endorsements are failing to dazzle consumers

A recent consumer survey has shown that celebrity endorsements are one of the least trusted means of conveying product information, only just faring better than door-dropped leaflets. This is bad news for advertising agencies, which have been devoting increased energy to signing up everyone from bona fide A-list stars to Z-list reality show contestants to help sell products and services.

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ACSI: consumer satisfaction takes a hit

The latest results of the American Customer Satisfaction Index reveal that consumers have grown less satisfied with food companies over the last year. This is the first time a decline has occurred since 2007. It has been attributed to rising food prices, as well as a "slippage" in quality. Manufacturers should take heed that consumers are clearly becoming more demanding following the recession.

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AG Barr: profits fizz

Soft drink company AG Barr has reported strong sales for the six months ended July. These results came despite sluggish growth in the market, and a dip in sales of the company's energy drink brand Irn Bru 32. With the company recently announcing a franchise agreement with US-based Rockstar for the UK distribution of its energy drinks, the company has reason to be optimistic about future growth.

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Alcohol consumption: young adults fuel the on-trade

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