BJ's Wholesale Club last month aimed to be "a one-stop shop" for everything needed for a Super Bowl party by promoting TVs, cookware and disposable dinnerware along with finger foods and beverages.

Costco gained support from product manufacturers last month to promote healthy choices for the New Year.

PepsiCo dominated the food-drug-mass market in January as activation of its official Super Bowl sponsorship gained an overwhelming presence in stores leading up to the Feb. 7 National Football League championship.

Sam's Club chief executive officer Brian Cornell and three company executive vice presidents outlined a new strategic focus last October during a presentation at parent company Walmart's 16th annual investor conference.

Nearly three-quarters of respondents to our annual survey reported some level of reduced display placement due to Walmart's Project Impact, but not all CPGs see this as a negative.

Bryan Gildenberg of Management Ventures Inc. surveys the economic landscape and discusses how dominant players in the drugstore, dollar, supermarket, mass and club channels are responding.

Jon Kramer of Alliance, A RockTenn Co., offers insights and observations of the 2009 Halloween merchandising season.