Oct. 8 - General Mills leads the charge to recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a stand-alone event in this week's FSIs.

Oct. 6 - Dollar General is hoping to spark sales with an all-encompassing sweepstakes that carries a hefty prize chest.

Hannah Montana and other teen-friendly entertainment properties took center stage during the 2008 back-to-school season, as retailers in multiple channels sought to add a hip veneer to otherwise standard promotions targeting students and their parents.

Dec. 17 - The Institute presents a review of marketing and merchandising activity at more than 50 leading retail chains. Coverage includes more than 350 images of seasonal displays, signs, store environments and marketing collateral.

Research by The Nielsen Company and the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) finds that shoppers leading "lifestyles of health and sustainability" spend more money in warehouse club stores than in any other channel.

Dollar Stores continue to challenge supermarkets, mass merchants and other retail for share of wallet as more U.S. consumers make dollar store shopping part of their routine, according to a new study by Meyers Research Center.

Ben Ball and Ray Jones of Dechert-Hampe present results from the 2006 "In-Store Marketing Leadership Survey"

The proliferation of warehouse clubs, dollar stores and other specialty channels has created a need for special package designs tailored to specific environments. In a presentation from last April's In-Store Marketing Summit, James Peters discusses five key tactics necessary for survival in a diverse marketplace. He also explores how the issue of environmental sustainability is beginning to impact design.