Some Skittles with that Saw?

Life Savers with that laser printer? Mr. Goodbar with that band saw? An increasing number of retailers this holiday season are looking to squeeze impulse buys out of shoppers by offering candy, gum, and mints at their cash registers. The nation’s largest home-improvement retailer, Home Depot, has just joined the ranks of many retailers performing this practice. This type of marketing is being called “attacking alternative” channels.The type of candy being offered tends to more ritzier depending on the retailer- for instance, more high-end candy is being offered at clothing stores where the predominant consumers are women.