Thursday August 16, 11:00 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: 7-Eleven, Inc.
7-Eleven(R) 'Pumps Up' New Candy
Nation's Largest Convenience Retailer, Biochem Develop High-Protein Snack Alternatives to Nutritional Bars
DALLAS, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Protein power hits 7-Eleven stores with the introduction of a new line of chocolate candies developed in a partnership with BiochemŽ Sports and Fitness Systems. Available in three varieties, Ultimate Protein Candy offers a high-protein snack option to customers -- chocolate pieces, peanut butter cups and chocolate chews. Suggested retail price is $1.49 per package.
``Most customers come in our stores for something to eat or drink,'' said Jeff Hamill, vice president, Non Foods at 7-Eleven, Inc. (NYSE: SE - news). ``Snacking has always been an important need for consumers on-the-go. I was convinced that we could come up with better-for-you snack foods without sacrificing flavor. I think this is only the beginning.''
The nation's leading retailer approached Biochem to develop a nutritional snack the way people like to eat. And people like sweets. The Ultimate Protein candies have between 5 and 10 grams of protein, with calories ranging from 150 to 260. ``They're not just empty calories,'' Hamill said, ``you get some nutritional return.''
Over the past two years, 7-Eleven has dramatically grown sales and product selection in its nutritional snack and nutritional beverage categories. ``We were watching 40 and 50 percent increases on top of 40 and 50 percent increases,'' explains Hamill. ``Right now we're carrying close to 50 different nutritional food items, and that number grows almost monthly.''
The nutritional category at 7-Eleven began with the introduction of energy and protein bars, according to Hamill. High-protein diets and weight-training appeal to the typical 7-Eleven consumer -- young and male. Suddenly, that customer was buying more beef jerky and looking for other protein-packed snacks. Nuts, jerky and protein bars were about the only snack options at our stores for the health-conscious consumer.
Ultimate Protein Candy is targeted to consumers who love candy, but want something a little better for them. ``Because the Ultimate Protein Candy is priced lower than protein bars, consumers can buy two for the price of one bar and feel like they're splurging,'' Hamill said.
7-Eleven frequently partners with national companies to create exclusive, proprietary products. ``This is a stepping stone to partner with nutritional companies and create more functional foods that meet our customers' needs,'' Hamill said.
Many nutritional food items are introduced in health food stores, gyms and fitness clubs. Monitoring sales and popularity, 7-Eleven executives try to get out ahead of the curve with new products, often receiving exclusive rights from the manufacturer to introduce to a national audience. ``Not a lot of c-stores compete in this category,'' admits Hamill.
7-Eleven, Inc. is the world's largest convenience retailer. The more than 21,700 7-ElevenŽ stores located in the United States, Canada and 17 other countries and territories generated total sales of more than $29 billion worldwide in 2000. Approximately 5,700 of these 7-Eleven stores are operated or franchised in the United States and Canada by 7-Eleven, Inc. IYG Holding Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd., and Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd., has owned a majority interest in 7-Eleven, Inc. since 1991. Seven-Eleven Japan operates more than 8,500 7-Eleven stores under an area license agreement. Find out more about 7-Eleven, Inc. at
www.7-eleven.com .
CONTACT: DANA MANLEY OR CATHY HEALD
7-ELEVEN, INC.
(214) 828-7345
dmanle01~7-11.com
SOURCE: 7-Eleven, Inc.
7-11 to go low-carb!!!
Linear Mode
