Procter & Gamble tests 'Tide Basic' in 100 stores.(Marketing News)

* Procter & Gamble is testing a new Tide--one that the company hopes will appeal to budget conscious consumers. Tide Basic--a powder detergent which is on shelves in 100 Wal-Mart and Kroger stores in southern and southwestern states--offers the same cleaning quality, but not the bells and whistles P&G has added to the newer formulations, such as Tide Total Care. The Tide Basic box boasts "Big Value, Basic Clean," which should catch the eye of cash strapped consumers, who might just be eyeing up mid-priced brands or private label detergents. However, company officials said there are no formal plans to roll the product out nationally.

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