Gillette hasn’t lost its edge. The company’s Fusion shaving line was the top new product launch in 2006 in the non-food category, according to Information Resources, Inc.’s 2006 New Product Pacesetters ranking of the year’s most successful new consumer packaged goods. “These brands truly beat the odds, since less than one quarter of new brands exceed the $7.5 million hurdle for year-one sales that is required to earn Pacesetter status,” explains Sunny Garga, president, IRI Business and Consumer Insights. “The Pacesetter report provides a detailed assessment of this year’s winners to reveal the product benefits that resonated with consumers, the trends to watch for future new product opportunities and sales benchmarks to consider when evaluating new product introductions.”