New Products

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1. White Owl Swirl Triple Grape Cigarillos

White Owl brings a new limited-edition Swirl variety to the market. White Owl Swirl Triple Grape Cigarillos, which launched Jan. 3, blend red, black and green grape flavors, complemented by a triple wrapper. The new product is available in competitive “2 for 99¢” and “Save on 2” formats that allow for retail pricing flexibility. White Owl Swirl Triple Grape Cigarillos are part of the launch of an all-new consumer loyalty program, White Owl Bird Bucks, with points redeemable for exclusive White Owl merchandise.

Swedish Match Richmond, Va. swedishmatch.com

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2. Funny Water

Funny Water is an alcoholinfused water with natural flavors, electrolytes, antioxidants, and no bubbles. According to the product’s founders, they saw an opportunity for a non-carbonated, low-ABV alternative in a market increasingly dominated by hard seltzers and craft beers. Featuring a 3.75 percent ABV, Funny Water is most similar in taste to a spa water, with alcohol. It is available in 12-ounce variety packs that include three flavors: Watermelon, Citrus, and Cucumber Mint.

Funny Water Chicago distribution@funnywater.com funnywater.com

3. Dynamite Pixie Shots

Dynamite Pixie Shots are not your typical energy shot. They do not contain water, and no water is needed to consume them. Each tube is filled with a delicious candy-like powder containing Phoenix Energy’s patent-pending Mood•Focus•Energy formula. The sublingual effect makes for a faster and more efficient delivery system, according to the maker. Dynamite Pixie Shots are smaller and more conveniently sized for anytime use.

Phoenix Energy Boise, Idaho phoenixenergy.com

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4. Jelly Belly Sugar-Free Gum

Jelly Belly Candy Co., the maker of Jelly Belly jelly beans since 1976, in partnership with Ford Gum introduces a new product format under the brand. Jelly Belly Sugar-Free Gum is now available in four iconic Jelly Belly jelly bean flavors: Very Cherry, Watermelon, Island Punch, and Berry Blue. All four varieties of the sugarfree gum come in traditional blister packs of 12. The Watermelon and Berry Blue varieties additionally come in a 55-piece jar.

Ford Gum & Machine Co. Akron, N.Y. (800) 323-9380 jellybelly.com

5. Rich’s Fully Finished Glazed Donuts

Rich Products Corp. introduces a line of Fully Finished Glazed Donuts. Available in convenient tray packaging, varieties include: glazed yeast ring donut (48 per case); glazed cinnamon roll donut (32 per case); glazed apple fritter donut (32 per case); and plain cake ring donut (48 per case). All of the Fully Finished Glazed Donuts boast a stable glaze that does not degrade over time, a soft texture, and a longer ambient shelf life in the bakery case: 48 hours for the yeast donuts and 72 hours for the cake donuts.

Rich Products Corp. Buffalo, N.Y. richsusa.com/fully-finished-donuts

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6. Natural Delights Mini Medjools & Snack Boxes

Natural Delights debuted a range of new convenient treats made with Medjool dates at the recent NACS Show. They include Mini Medjools, available in six varieties and made with ingredients such as nut butters, seeds, nuts and fruit; and Snack Boxes, featuring a three-count pack of Natural Delights Pitted Medjool Dates and a six-count pack of Mini Medjools. Medjool dates continue to grow in popularity as they are an ideal snack on their own and as a main ingredient in snack foods, according to the company.

Natural Delights Yuma, Ariz. naturaldelights.com

7. Crunchmaster Bistro Crisps

Crunchmaster Bistro Crisps are guilt-free gourmet snacks containing only 120 calories for 63 crisps. Made with Cassava Root, a gut-friendly root vegetable, the bite-sized crisps are popped, not fried, leaving them light, crispy, and full of flavor. They contain no artificial flavors, zero grams of trans fat, and zero milligrams of cholesterol. They are also grain free, paleo, vegan, gluten free, non-GMO and kosher. Crunchmaster Bistro Crisps are available in three flavor varieties: Vegan Cheddar, Nacho, and Margherita Pizza.

TH Foods Inc. Loves Park, Ill. crunchmaster.com

8. European Fully-Baked Danish Pastries

Schulstad Bakery Solutions unveiled its new line of European Fully-Baked Danish Pastries at the recent NACS Show. The line offers authentic taste and quality without the need of an oven. The Danish pastries are available in three varieties: Maple Pecan Plait, Apple Crown, and Raspberry Crown. The iced pastries come in small trays, making them ideal for foodservice operators looking for more convenient ways to offer high-quality baked goods without extensive effort or labor, according to the maker.

Lantmännen Unibake USA Inc. Lisle, Ill. schulstadusa.com

9. BIC Shop Talk Lighter Series

BIC introduces the special-edition Shop Talk Lighter Series. The fun and witty designs ensure that retailers “nail it” with hardworking consumers, according to the company. All lighters in the Shop Talk Lighter Series have a suggested retail price of $2.09 per lighter. BIC Maxi Lighters are long-lasting, reliable, and 100 percent quality inspected.

BIC Shelton, Conn. us.bic.com

10. Hempire Cones

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Swisher expanded its Hempire product line to include hempbased bulk cones. Made from pesticide-free organic hemp, Hempire Cones are designed to deliver a clean, smooth and slow-burning smoking experience. Like other Hempire products, the cones are vegan, non-GMO, and maintain their all-natural characteristics by remaining completely unbleached and unflavored and containing no synthetic colors or dyes. Hempire Cones are available in bulk units in the three most popular bulk cone sizes of 1 1/4, 98mm and King. Prices range from $62 to $88 for a box holding up to 1,440 cones, and $372 to $528 for a case containing up to 8,640 cones.

Swisher Jacksonville, Fla. swisher.com/businesses/hempire

Purchased Broiler Chicken

Indirectly for Commercial Use Since 2008? You Could Get Money from Class Action Settlements Totaling Approximately $103 Million

Defendants Amick Farms, LLC, Fieldale Farms Corporation, George’s Inc. and George’s Farms, Inc., Mar-Jac Poultry, Inc., Mar-Jac Poultry MS, LLC, Mar-Jac Poultry AL, LLC, Mar-Jac AL/MS, Inc., Mar-Jac Poultry, LLC, and Mar-Jac Holdings, Inc., Peco Foods, Inc., Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, Tyson Foods, Inc., Tyson Chicken, Inc., Tyson Breeders, Inc., and Tyson Poultry, Inc. (collectively, “Settling Defendants”) have agreed to Settlements resolving claims that they conspired to fix prices and manipulated the supply of broiler chickens (“Broilers”), which may have caused businesses to pay more for Broilers. Broilers are chickens raised for meat consumption which are sold in a variety of forms, including fresh or frozen, raw or cooked, whole or in parts, or as a meat ingredient. Settling Defendants deny these claims. The Court has not made any final decision as to which side is right.

AM I INCLUDED?

Your company may be included if, from January 1, 2008, through July 31, 2019, it indirectly purchased Broilers from a Defendant or co-conspirator in the United States for use in commercial food preparation. The largest categories of purchasers included are businesses that purchased Broilers through distributors such as restaurants, grocery store deli counters that commercially prepare meals, and institutional purchasers such as nongovernmental hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. A more detailed notice, including the exact Class definitions and exceptions to Class membership, is available at www.chickencommercialsettlement.com. WHAT DO THE SETTLEMENTS PROVIDE?

The Settlements provide for the combined payment of approximately $103 million in cash to the Settlement Classes to resolve all Settlement Class claims against the Settling Defendants and their affiliates. If the Settlements are approved, the Settling Defendants will be dismissed from the case. The Settling Defendants have also agreed to certain types of cooperation in the pursuit of claims against the other non-Settling Defendants and certain Settling Defendants have agreed to injunctive relief. HOW CAN I GET A PAYMENT?

In order to be eligible to receive a payment from the Settlements you must submit a valid Claim Form no later than March 2, 2022, and have made your indirect Broiler purchase in one of the following states: Arizona, California, Connecticut (only for the Amick Farms settlement), District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. You may submit a Claim Form either online or by mail. More details about how the funds will be allocated and the Claim Form are available at www.chickencommercialsettlement.com.

WHEN WILL I GET A PAYMENT?

Payments from the Settlements will not be distributed until the Court grants final approval of the Settlements, any objections or appeals are resolved, and all claims have been processed and verified. Updates will be provided on the website at www.chickencommercialsettlement.com.

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS?

If you do nothing, you will be bound by the Court’s decisions concerning these Settlements. If you want to keep your right to sue one or more of the Settling Defendants regarding Broiler purchases, you must exclude yourself from the Settlement Classes in writing by March 2, 2022. You may exclude yourself from one or more of the Settlements. If you exclude yourself from a Settlement, you will not be eligible to receive money from that Settlement. If you stay in the Classes, you may object to one or more of the Settlements in writing by March 2, 2022. The Settlement Agreements, along with details on how to exclude yourself or object, are available at www.chickencommercialsettlement.com.

THE FINAL FAIRNESS HEARING?

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois will hold a hearing on April 18, 2022, at 10:00 am, at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 219 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604 to consider whether to finally approve the Settlements. Class Counsel will also request service awards in an amount not to exceed $15,000 per class representative, attorneys’ fees of up to 35% of the Settlement Funds, and reimbursement of litigation costs and expenses not to exceed $10,658,854.99. You or your own lawyer may appear and speak at the hearing at your own expense, but you do not have to. The hearing may be moved to a different date or time or may be held by video conference without additional notice, so it is a good idea to check the above-noted website for additional information. Please do not contact the Court about this case.

If the case against the other Defendants is not dismissed or settled, Class Counsel will have to prove their claims against the other Defendants at trial. Dates for the trial have not yet been set. The Court has appointed the law firms of Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP and Gustafson Gluek PLLC to represent Settlement Class Members.

SIFFRON HELPS C-STORES FACE RETAILING’S NEW REALITIES

From labor shortages to theft, convenience stores face obstacles that the right resource can remedy. Here, Robb Northrup, director of marketing at Siff ron, discusses the company’s portfolio of solutions to help retailers maximize their productivity while elevating the shopper experience.

Convenience Store News: It is mission critical for c-stores, facing encroaching competition from all channels, to be retail ready. How can Siff ron help c-store operators venture into new categories shoppers demand while maximizing the profi ts in their existing footprints?

Robb Northrup: Siff ron has been in the retail display and fi xture business for more than 60 years. We off er over 6,000 retail fi xtures, including shelf management systems, peg hooks, Data Strip, loss prevention, and stock displays. We off er solutions across the store, not just in one category. With our whole store solutions, retailers can consolidate vendors for maximum effi ciency.

Siff ron can work with retailers to optimize categories to refl ect changing consumer shopping habits. For instance, we can convert cooler cases into fresh produce areas or turn refrigerated cases into readyto-go meal displays.

CSN: Finding reliable, long-term employees has always been an obstacle. What’s Siff ron’s game plan to off set the shortages?

RN: Finding reliable, long-term employees has long been an obstacle in the convenience store industry, but the current labor shortage is threatening to do even more harm. Siff ron’s product facing displays ensure products are faced automatically to the front of the shelf, keeping the merchandise organized so employees don’t have to manually update it all the time. That results in labor savings, planogram and pricing integrity, and an inviting shopping experience.

CSN: In addition to housekeeping, how can you maximize shelf productivity?

RN: The SKU-intensive candy category is a good example of how our fi xtures can compress space and maximize the productivity of a high-traffi c, impulse area. Using our NEXT™ Pusher Tray system, we can typically get 25 to 30 percent more facings into the space where products are typically hung on peg hooks or packed onto shelves. That means more product availability, more facings to sell, and each and every product is brought up to the front to make every product visible and available for customers. Another example of how we boost results and elevate the shopping experience is where we add LED lighting in high-interest, high-impulse areas. We’ve found an 18 to 20 percent sales lift in a category when you add our Allura LED lighting. You realize your return on investment within a few months through the sales lift of that category.

“USING OUR NEXT PUSHER TRAY TM SYSTEM, WE CAN TYPICALLY GET 25 TO 30 PERCENT MORE FACINGS INTO THE SPACE WHERE PRODUCTS ARE TYPICALLY HUNG ON PEG HOOKS OR PACKED ONTO SHELVES.”

➤To learn more about Siff ron’s wide-ranging solutions to maximize store effi ciency, visit siff ron.com

SIFFRON PUTS THE BRAKES ON RETAIL THEFT

From professional smash and grab thefts to a simple swipe of a candy bar, theft is on the rise. The National Retail Security Survey found shrink hit an all-time high last year, accounting for 1.62 percent of a retailer’s bottom line and costing the industry almost $62 billion. Convenience stores are particularly vulnerable to theft linked to assortments with high pilferage categories such as alcohol and tobacco. Siff ron has wide-ranging menu of loss prevention solutions from sweepdeterrence solutions like the Invisi-Shield™ System and Spiral Anti-Sweep Hooks, to intelligent solutions like SONR anti-shoplifting devices to signal when simple shopping activity occurs, and alarms at excessive product removal. The security devices make merchandise diffi cult to access and sweep so theft and shrink are preventable. Additionally, many of Siff ron’s intelligent solutions can interact with store electronic article surveillance systems for additional layers of protection.