Content about General Merchandise

April 8, 2013

In recognition of National Park Week April 20 to 28, Reckitt Benckiser's Air Wick is launching a new line of air fresheners inspired by the essence of America's national parks. Proceeds will help benefit the National Parks Foundation.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — In recognition of National Park Week April 20 to 28, Reckitt Benckiser's Air Wick is launching a new line of air fresheners inspired by the essence of America's national parks. Proceeds will help benefit the National Parks Foundation.

April 4, 2013

Beginning today through Tuesday, April 30, Bi-Lo will host its fourth annual PAWS "Feed the Love" campaign.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn — Beginning today through Tuesday, April 30, Bi-Lo will host its fourth annual PAWS "Feed the Love" campaign. "Feed the Love" is a pet food drive in which food donations go to local area food banks for families in need to be able to provide food for the four-legged members of their families.

April 4, 2013

Same-store sales at Rite Aid decreased 2% in March, including a 3.8% increase in same-store sales on the front end and a 4.5% decrease in pharmacy sales due in part to new introductions of generic drugs, the retail pharmacy chain said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Same-store sales at Rite Aid decreased 2% in March, including a 3.8% increase in same-store sales on the front end and a 4.5% decrease in pharmacy sales due in part to new introductions of generic drugs, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

The 4,621-store chain reported total sales for the month of $1.939 billion, a 2.5% decrease compared with $1.989 billion in March 2012, while same-store prescription count increased 0.3%.

April 3, 2013

Hispanicize 2013, the annual Latino trends event, has announced that Procter & Gamble will be the official presenting sponsor for this year's event taking place in Miami Beach from April 9 to 13. This is P&G's first year as the presenting sponsor of the Hispanicize event.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Hispanicize 2013, the annual Latino trends event, has announced that Procter & Gamble will be the official presenting sponsor for this year's event taking place in Miami Beach from April 9 to 13. This is P&G's first year as the presenting sponsor of the Hispanicize event.

April 3, 2013

To kick off the arrival of flea and tick season, PetArmor last week launched a national TV commercial campaign created by Adrenaline, a Havas Company.

YARDLEY, Pa. — To kick off the arrival of flea and tick season, PetArmor last week launched a national TV commercial campaign created by Adrenaline, a Havas Company. The commercials educate pet parents that value-priced PetArmor is guaranteed to protect pets as well as competitive products at killing adult fleas and ticks. The :30 and :15 spots will air nationally supplemented with local market activity beginning April 1.

April 2, 2013

Elmer's Products, Inc. announced today Elmer's School Glue Naturals — the first and only school glue made with naturally occurring ingredients and available in recycled packaging, according to the company.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Elmer's Products announced today Elmer's School Glue Naturals — the first and only school glue made with naturally occurring ingredients and available in recycled packaging, according to the company.

April 2, 2013

Walmart has given Fujifilm North America its "Vendor of the Year" award for its photo-finishing services in the mass-merchandise retailer's stores, Fujifilm said.

VALHALLA, N.Y. — Walmart has given Fujifilm North America its "Vendor of the Year" award for its photo-finishing services in the mass-merchandise retailer's stores, Fujifilm said.

The company, a division of Japan-based Fujifilm, said it received the award in the photo-finishing category at Walmart's Supplier Summit in Orlando, Fla., last month. Fujifilm said the award recognized its manufacturing, quality and distribution capabilities.

April 1, 2013

American Greetings greeting card company has agreed to be taken private by a group led by some of its top executives for about $602 million, the company announced.

CLEVELAND — American Greetings greeting card company has agreed to be taken private by a group led by some of its top executives for about $602 million, the company announced today.

The executive group was formed by the Weiss family — including chairman Morry Weiss; CEO Zev Weiss; director, president and COO Jeffrey Weiss and others — and will buy the shares of the company they don't already own for $18.20 a piece in cash. This amounts to a 13% premium to American Greetings' closing price of $16.10 last Thursday.

March 28, 2013

ShurTech Brands, makers of Duck Tape, announced today a new Duck Tape print featuring the pop music group One Direction.

AVON, Ohio — ShurTech Brands, makers of Duck Tape, announced today a new Duck Tape print featuring the pop music group One Direction.

March 21, 2013

Late last year, Walmart rolled out the pilot program for a new mobile initiative called "Scan & Go" to 70 stores in the Atlanta and Bentonville, Ark. areas, where the company is based. Now, the mass merchandise retailer is expanding the program after a successful test run.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Late last year, Walmart rolled out the pilot program for a new mobile initiative called "Scan & Go" to 70 stores in the Atlanta and Bentonville, Ark. areas, where the company is based. Now, the mass merchandise retailer is expanding the program after a successful test run.

March 21, 2013

Wisk, a Sun Products brand, launched today a new detergent to its cleaning lineup: Wisk Deep Clean PowerBlasts.

WILTON, Conn. — Wisk, a Sun Products brand, launched today a new detergent to its cleaning lineup: Wisk Deep Clean PowerBlasts.

March 20, 2013

The American Cleaning Institute in conjunction with Echo Research conducted a survey of 1,777 Americans and found most respondents are spending less on cleaning products due to economic factors.

WASHINGTON — The American Cleaning Institute, in conjunction with Echo Research, conducted a survey of 1,777 Americans and found most respondents are spending less on cleaning products due to economic factors.

March 20, 2013

According to a new spending survey from the National Retail Federation, consumer spending for Easter 2013 will be flat when compared to the holiday last year.

WASHINGTON — According to a new spending survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF), consumer spending for Easter 2013 will be flat when compared to the holiday last year.

The NRF 2013 Easter Spending Survey, conducted by BIGinsight, was designed to gauge consumer behavior and shopping trends related to Easter. The poll of 5,050 consumers was conducted from March 5 to 11, 2013.

March 19, 2013

The Post-it brand from 3M introduced the Post-it Mobile Collection, a new line of attach-and-go products for more efficient and effective organization for consumers on the go, the company announced.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Post-it brand from 3M introduced the Post-it Mobile Collection, a new line of attach-and-go products for more efficient and effective organization for consumers on the go, the company announced today.

The new Post-it Mobile Collection features a variety of specially designed products to stick, insert and clip to everyday items. The attach-and-go products work together, allowing customization of a portable organization system.

March 18, 2013

Gain, a Proctor & Gamble brand, has introduced a new product to store shelves designed to prolong the fresh laundry scent of clothes for up to 12 weeks in storage.

CINCINNATI — Gain, a Proctor & Gamble brand, has introduced a new product to store shelves designed to prolong the fresh laundry scent of clothes for up to 12 weeks in storage.

March 18, 2013

In spite of a court ruling striking down a ban on large-sized sugary drinks, New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has another health initiative in the works: a requirement that retailers hide tobacco products.

NEW YORK — In spite of a court ruling striking down a ban on large-sized sugary drinks, New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has another health initiative in the works: a requirement that retailers hide tobacco products.

Bloomberg's legislation, which would make New York the first city to keep tobacco products out of the sight of customers, will go to the city council for consideration. The New York Times noted that Bloomberg skipped this procedure with the soft drink rule.

March 18, 2013

Rite Aid is stocking Easter and spring supplies at its stores in anticipation of the holiday and season, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is stocking Easter and spring supplies at its stores in anticipation of the holiday and season, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

The 4,623-store chain said items at its stores included chocolate bunnies, marshmallow Peeps, SweeTarts, Ducks & Bunnies, Cadbury Eggs and other candy brands, as well as baskets and other accessories.

In addition, the company is selling such gardening supplies as planters, figurines, bird feeders, wind chimes and outdoor fountains and lighting, including solar-powered devices.

 

March 15, 2013

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is organizing more than 1,200 events across the country to promote smoking abstinence and cessation.

WASHINGTON — The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is organizing more than 1,200 events across the country to promote smoking abstinence and cessation.

The group announced Friday the 18th annual Kick Butts Day, on March 20, in which young people will encourage peers to stay tobacco-free and educate their communities about the health effects of smoking. While youth smoking rates have gone down, 18.1% of high school students still smoke, the group said.

March 15, 2013

A new technology will allow standard point-of-sale laser scanners to scan coupons, loyalty cards and gift cards on the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone without any changes to existing technology.

SAN FRANCISCO — A new technology will allow standard point-of-sale laser scanners to scan coupons, loyalty cards and gift cards on the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone without any changes to existing technology.

March 15, 2013

Target has purchased two online retailers of cooking equipment in a move designed to expand its cooking and kitchenware business, said the mass merchandise retailer, which has lately made major investments in multichannel retailing.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has purchased two online retailers of cooking equipment in a move designed to expand its cooking and kitchenware business, said the mass merchandise retailer, which has lately made major investments in multichannel retailing.

Target announced the purchase of Cooking.com and CHEFS Catalog, both of which will continue to operate under their current names as a single, wholly owned subsidiary of Target. Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.

March 14, 2013

Black Diamond Stoneworks’ cleaning products will soon be seen on the shelves of Walmart across the country.

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Black Diamond Stoneworks’ cleaning products will soon be seen on the shelves of Walmart across the country.

March 13, 2013

A new adventure from Thomas the Tank Engine and will be available exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide April 9, 2013.

 NEW YORK — A new adventure from Thomas the Tank Engine and will be available exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide April 9, 2013.

The new DVD, Thomas & Friends: Railway Mischief, features five brand new episodes and a bonus, collectible “Calling All Engines” poster. There are also bonus features including a hide and seek game, a music video and a "Guess Who?" puzzle. 

The DVD will be sold for a suggested retail price of $14.98.

March 11, 2013

Lysol, a Reckitt Benckiser company, has announced a new line of foaming hand soaps, the company said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Lysol, a Reckitt Benckiser company, has announced a new line of foaming hand soaps, the company said today.

Lysol's Touch of Foam hand soap is a foaming soap that helps protect hands against germs while moisturizer-enriched micro-bubbles leaves them feeling soft. Studies have shown that hand washing alone can prevent both gastrointestinal and respiratory infections by nearly 50%.

March 11, 2013

The Post-it brand from 3M announces the launch of Post-it Big Pads, the company said.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Post-it brand from 3M announces the launch of Post-it Big Pads, the company announced this weekend at the SXSW 2013 trade show.

March 8, 2013

SC Johnson's new Windex Touch-Up Cleaner offers consumers a fast and convenient way to clean and sanitize the most frequently used surfaces in the home.

RACINE, Wis. — SC Johnson's new Windex Touch-Up Cleaner offers consumers a fast and convenient way to clean and sanitize the most frequently used surfaces in the home. An inventive new pump design makes it easy to clean and sanitize surfaces. A push on the pump applies the formula onto a paper towel, bath tissue or clean sponge, making cleanup convenient. Windex Touch-Up Cleaner is available in two varieties: Bathroom Fresh Scent and Kitchen Glistening Citrus Scent.