Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been a pillar of natural health since time immemorial. Consumed for over 5000 years, ACV’s seemingly endless list of applications and health benefits have begotten it’s longstanding “cure-all” reputation.

The age-old ferment is now positioned to enter a new frontier in the Canadian marketplace: the Ready-To-Drink(RTD) beverage category. A handful of single-serve “drinking vinegars” have already appeared on US grocery shelves, delivering ACV’s health merits in a convenient grab-and-go format which checks two important boxes for millennial consumers: convenience and added health benefits.

With the kombucha market poised to grow 25% annually each of next three years, the demand for fermented, digestion-friendly beverages is trending up. Drinking vinegars fit the bill. Their arrival in North America is equal parts innovation and rediscovery, as the new generation of drinking vinegars draws on a long history of “acidulated”  beverages, cordials, and elixirs like kvass, switchel, and shrub. These popular digestive tonics, often flavoured with fruits, herbs, and spices, reached their heyday in 17th century Colonial America. Like their historical predecessors, modern drinking vinegars are chalked full of organic acids and enzymes which promote sound digestion and help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. They are also “Paleo” and “Keto”-compliant, and have become popular among adherents of these diets to help “cut through” rich and fatty meals.

SPOTLIGHT ON ACV QUALITY

Globally, apple cider vinegar is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% through 2020. As the category grows, product quality should become a major differentiating factor among competing brands. Here are a few considerations bound to enter apple cider vinegar consumer discourse:

ORGANIC APPLES: Apples rank #4 on the EWG’s “Dirty Dozen” list of heavily-sprayed fruits and vegetables. Conventionally(non-organic) grown apples are commonly treated with fungicides to prevent disease and rusts. Aside from the risk these chemicals pose to humans and their environment, they also interfere with the natural fermentation process required to produce high-quality ACV. As availability of organic apples is dependent on reliable harvests, vertically-integrated ACV brands that produce from their own orchards may have an advantage when it comes to product quality and consistency.

FRESH VS FROM-CONCENTRATE: Apple cider vinegar made from fresh apple cider produces a markedly different end-product than that produced from cooked and concentrated vinegar stock. The latter method of production has become increasingly common among ACV producers, and while both processes can technically claim to be raw and unpasteurized, for consumers the most familiar comparison between the two processes would be that of fresh-pressed juice vs. juice from concentrate.

Authored by Eamonn McKay, RHN and Vancouver based sale rep for LeBeau Excel Ltd. Sales & Marketing.

Walmart announced in late October they are testing automated shelf-scanning robots in 50 stores and were careful to note these robots will not replace human employees. As they state in their own video release they are “combining the passion of our people with the power of technology” to free up more time for the associates to serve customers and fill orders.

(Link to Walmart Robot video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j2oh432RFY

AI and automation technology is finding its way deeper into retail distribution with self-scanning checkouts, apps and services for delivery of groceries, and Amazon’s army of robotic warehouse merchandise movers becoming more the norm. The move to automation appears to be led by the CPG manufacturers and retailers looking to speed up their online sales and delivery.

Front-of-store robotics is a bit more recent trend but Walmart is not the first to test shelf-scanning robots. Consumers may see robots in stores like Target, Schnucks Markets (St. Louis, MO) and Giant Food Store in Lower Paxton Township, PA, as they are testing similar shelf-scanning technology, although in far fewer stores.

The Walmart robots are about 2-feet (0.61-meter) tall and fitted with cameras that scan shelving as they pass by to check inventory, identify any missing or misplaced items, and to review pricing and labeling accuracy. Data is then given to store associates who replace inventory or make any corrections. The autonomous robots come equipped with 3D-imaging technology to help avoid obstacles and presumably customers.

Walmart’s 50-store commitment is a much larger test of the technology and one can presume, if successful, shoppers will see more robots in the aisles changing the in-store shopping experience forever.

Governments, physicians and health care businesses are becoming more interested in utilizing Virtual Reality for therapeutic treatments according to the Medical Virtual Reality (MedVR) group at the University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies. The institute is dedicated to exploring where VR can assist in traditional approaches in diverse fields that include psychology, medicine, neuroscience, and physical and occupational therapy.

Founded in 1999 and sponsored by the U.S. Army, ICT has already developed a treatment for PTSD created by Skip Rizzo, associate director for medical virtual reality at ICT. In fact, for the past ten years they have been working with military on ways to use Virtual Reality (VR) for therapies in mental health, motor and cognitive skills rehabilitation, and clinical assessment and training skills.

The Department of Defense initially funded the project in 2005 to treat soldiers’ Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Using Rizzo’s system, “Bravemind,” VR can accurately recreate war zone experience for the patient to initiate “extinction learning” which can shut down the over-stressed “flight or fight response” the primary cause of PTSD symptoms. In conjunction with traditional therapies the Army has found “Bravemind” to be successful in relieving symptoms of PTSD.

According to an article by ABI Research, therapy and training services have the highest opportunities for utilizing VR and they forecast that VR services will more than triple in just 5 years, from a current $8.9-million to $285-million in 2022. Many healthcare facilities are already implementing or are in trial for VR simulations to treat pain management, anxiety, PTSD, and neuro-recovery.

Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles provides VR to their patients to help relieve stress and reduce pain. Using VR goggles, patients can “escape” from the hospital room to “visit” beautiful landscapes, or take part in class at an art studio or swim with the whales in a beautiful blue ocean.

Not just for recreation and gaming, VR is finding many uses in medical care including an improved virtual visit experience for family that may be too far away for a physical visit; others are using VR on kids to distract them during chemotherapy treatments; and VR is currently being used to help in stroke recovery. The number of hospitals and institutions interested in using VR for training and education is consistently growing, while most researchers agree that VR may even assist in reducing the costs of health care.

One area of medical health not yet well-suited for VR is in surgical applications. Most medical professionals believe that surgeries require too high a demand in accuracy and current VR quality has limitations. However, ABI Research and the medical community believe that VR is more efficient in training or therapeutic applications, and will continue to grow as an alternative or assistive choice in health care.

The frozen food section offers a little bit of everything; from full meals to desserts and everything in between. Recent research however has shown a steady decline in frozen food sales the past few years in almost every demographic but one: the millennials.

Historically, frozen food has earned a bad reputation of being unhealthy in a number of ways, including high calories and sodium. Although the industry was on the decline, frozen food brands are now starting to appeal to their #1 consumer. With innovative ideas backed by key trends, the millennials are the future of frozen foods.

Why Millennials?

Not only are millennials entering their peak earning years, but studies have shown that they are also more health-conscious and mindful about their purchases compared to earlier generations. Frozen food is the appeal as they want something that is healthier for them, with the convenience of it being hassle-free to fit into their fast-paced lifestyle.

According to a recent study done by Acosta, millennials say they see frozen foods most beneficial as quick dinner solutions (89%), convenient breakfasts for kids (81%), side dishes (78%), and easy-to-prepare lunches (72%). In the same study, it was found that when making frozen food purchasing decisions, millennials were most concerned that foods would be free of antibiotics and hormones, were all-natural, sustainably-sourced, and are low-sodium products. Among the survey participants who said they plan on buying more frozen foods in the next year, convenience and the fact that they don’t spoil as quickly as fresh foods were among the top reasons.

What This Means for Frozen Food Brands & Retailers

Fortunately for many brands & retailers, what one considers “healthy” is a personal choice and can include choices that are low-sodium, feature less calories, are organic, or made from simpler ingredients.

Many brands have already started to repackage their products to be marketed to millennials. We are seeing better nutrition info on packaging, emphasis on health benefits such as protein and fibre, and new combinations of ingredients and flavours. Some brands are also marketing to specific groups within the millennial demographic such as to young men with the Hungry-Man brand of frozen dinners.

Frozen food is one of the few departments that is still more frequently purchased in-store rather than online, so these products just may be the solution to keeping the brick and mortar stores busy.

Retailers and brands should keep in mind that the majority of their consumers are millennials who are looking for fast and easy options that still provide health benefits.

When it comes to healthy cigarette alternatives, vaping is not the answer. Researchers from the University of North Carolina have found that e-cigarettes trigger immune responses in the body, which can potentially lead to lung disease.

While there is often confusion as to whether e-cigarettes are “safer” than cigarettes, the study’s authors note that this is simply because their adverse effects have yet to be studied. Now, biomarker evidence has shown that e-cigarettes may actually cause harm to the lungs. After studying 15 e-cigarette users, 14 cigarette smokers, and 15 non-smokers, the scientists found that vaping may contribute to inflammatory lung diseases, oxidative stress, and harmful mucus secretion.

On Wednesday, the American retail company Kroger announced that there is a possibility that they will sell their 784 convenience-store operations.

According to the executive VP and CFO of  Michael J. Schlotman, the convenience stores have been successful, however they want to optimize on the opportunity for them to grow even further with the sale.

“Our convenience stores are strong, successful and growing with the potential to grow even more,” said Schlotman. “We want to look at all options to ensure this part of the business is meeting its full potential. Considering the current premium multiples for convenience stores, we feel it is our obligation as a management team to undertake this review.”

So far, the c-store division has collected $4 billion in revenue, of which 1.2 billion is attributed to fuel revenue in 2016.

Goldman Sachs & Co was hired by Kroger to judge the options for the c-store division.

In the meantime, Kroger is working to implement a new business plan, titled the “Restock Kroger Plan”. The plan will focus on four major areas that include—but are not limited to—Expanding Partnerships to Create Customer Value, Develop Talent, and Redefine the Food and Grocery Customer Experience. The “Restock Kroger Plan” will focus on investing in a number of different areas and initiatives, some of which include space optimization, technological innovation, and creating for better digital experiences.

“We know that when we serve America through food inspiration and uplift, we create value for our shareholders, customers and associates,” says Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and CEO, about the Kroger’s future plan. “Combining our food expertise and data analytics uniquely positions Kroger to create new and highly relevant customer experiences, delivered both digitally and in stores. Restock Kroger builds on our strengths and strategically repositions Kroger to accelerate our customer-centered efforts in order to create shareholder value.”

Fennel is a popular plant used in both the kitchen and within the medical community, enhancing the taste of many dishes while also treating many ailments.

In many cases, fennel acts an effective digestion aid that helps to reduce gas, bloating, and relax the muscles in the gastrointestinal system. In fact, fennel tea is often used to reduce the symptoms of stomach irritabilities associated with Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

Along with its digestive benefits, fennel tea can also help with these five common health problems:

1. Painful menstrual cramping: It’s no surprise that cramps can be painful, so much so that many women opt for over the counter drugs to assist with pain relief. According to a 2012 study, researchers found that fennel could be helpful when it comes to combatting menstrual pain due to the way the herb interacts with the uterus in helping it from creating painful contractions.
2. Dehydration: Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining your overall health. Fennel tea is a great way to stay hydrated, all the while providing your body with detoxifying benefits.
3. Colic in infants: Fennel is known for its anti-spasmodic qualities. For this reason, it is believed to help with the symptoms of colic in young children.
4. High blood sugar: Studies have shown how an extract taken from mentholated fennel seeds decreased glucose levels in that same way that

   antihyperglycemic medications do. 

The New Brunswick Liquor Corporation has called for retail spaces to distribute marijuana in British Columbia.

The company is searching for 3,000-square-foot spaces to spread throughout 15 BC communities that will not be associated with the corporation’s liquor chains. According to the ad, these spaces should be well on their way by May 31, 2018.

Back in September, BC declared that a different corporation—one other than Crown—would arrange for the shift in the sale of recreational marijuana. While confirmation on who would be overseeing the distribution of marijuana has not been confirmed, NB Liquor has been a large part in deciding what will be done in relation to bringing marijuana into the retail environment.

“We have to be ready for the July 2018 deadline and issuing tenders for the potential retail space allows us to do this,” said Sarah Bustard, spokeswoman of the Department of Finance.

With both antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, essential oils can be used in more ways than one. From boosting your immune system to aiding with digestion, essential oils provide our bodies with a plethora of health benefits, including the ability the combat painful headaches.

Here are five essential oils that help to relieve headache pain:

1. Lavender oil: Lavender oil is used to help with a number of issues, including anxiety, depression, and, of course, reducing headache tension and pain. Due to the curative properties that quickly absorb into the skin, lavender rapidly interacts with the central nervous system as an effective calming agent of stress triggers.
2. Rosemary oil: Rosemary oil helps to reduce the pain of a headache by improving circulation. Plus, according to a 2008 study, researchers found that rosemary oil also have anti-inflammatory properties that helps with headache pressure and tension.
3. Peppermint oil: Along with relieving nausea and upset stomaches, peppermint oil is also known for alleviating headache pain. Applied topically to the forehead, this essential oil is the most popular for headache relief.
4. Eucalyptus oil: If you suffer from sinus headaches, eucalyptus oil works to release the tension triggered by blocked sinuses.
5. Chamomile oil: Given that chamomile tea works to relax the body, and helps reduce the symptoms associated with anxiety and depression, many people use chamomile oil to treat a painful headache that is triggered by anxiety and stress.

The recent purchase of Whole Foods Market by Amazon, the world’s largest internet company by revenue, may have “shaken up” the grocery business, but it also left some of the natural and organic food store chain’s customers and vendors wondering if products on the shelves would change.

In late August, at the announcement of their merger they stated, “the two companies will together pursue the vision of making Whole Foods Market’s high-quality, natural and organic food affordable for everyone.” They followed suit on this announcement by slashing the price on some basic items, and promoting reduced pricing on certain produce on World Vegetarian Day but they also plan to adopt supermarket standards that are more conventional.

As reported in the news media, by April 2018, as part of its plan to decentralize operations, Whole Foods will no longer allow “brand advocates” to promote their products in-store, check inventory levels or assist in merchandising which follows the mass supermarket model. Additionally, whereas in the past some vendors could “pitch” their own local stores to carry their products, almost all purchasing decisions will revert back to their Austin, TX headquarters.

Before the merger, Whole Foods’ declining sales were partially attributed to their policy of allowing local suppliers’ products to be sold regionally, and it was also claimed this was distracting to employees and inefficient. This move to the more conventional central listing and purchasing process practiced by traditional supermarket chains may bring into question the availability of some natural or organic products that were locally sourced and sold in regional stores.