Content about General Merchandise

November 30, 2012

Bayer HealthCare's animal-health division has introduced a new spray for killing ticks in cats and dogs, the company said.

SHAWNEE, Kan. — Bayer HealthCare's animal-health division has introduced a new spray for killing ticks in cats and dogs, the company said.

The company debuted Resultix at the opening of BarkWorld Expo, a pet social media conference in Atlanta that took place on Oct. 26.

The spray is designed to dissolve the outer wax layer that covers the tick's cuticle, its hard shell, resulting in the parasite's uncontrollable water loss and death within three hours.

November 30, 2012

By the time it had unveiled the latest evolution of its hot, new Wellness store concept this fall in Lemoyne, Pa., Rite Aid was coming off seven consecutive quarters of Adjusted EBITDA and same-store prescription count growth — the strongest growth period for the company in several years.

By the time it had unveiled the latest evolution of its hot, new Wellness store concept this fall in Lemoyne, Pa., Rite Aid was coming off seven consecutive quarters of Adjusted EBITDA and same-store prescription count growth — the strongest growth period for the company in several years.

November 29, 2012

The greeting card category is shifting. Category giants American Greetings and Hallmark face the threat of competition from e-cards and are challenged by increased segmentation of the card category.

The greeting card category is shifting. Category giants American Greetings and Hallmark face the threat of competition from e-cards and are challenged by increased segmentation of the card category. Hallmark estimates that over the past decade, the number of greeting cards sold in the United States has dropped from 6 billion to 5 billion annually.


The Greeting Card Association reports that while greeting card unit sales have fluctuated over the past several years, the industry continues to generate annual revenues of $7 billion to $8 billion.


November 29, 2012

Bettie Page has come to Boston. Tatyana Designs, a Las Vegas-based retailer specializing in contemporary designs inspired by the iconic Bettie Page, opened in late October its Boston boutique — marking its tenth U.S. location. Nestled at 32 Newbury St., in the heart of the shopping jewel of Boston, the store’s neighbors include Burberry, Chanel and Cartier.


BOSTON — Bettie Page has come to Boston. Tatyana Designs, a Las Vegas-based retailer specializing in contemporary designs inspired by the iconic Bettie Page, opened in late October its Boston boutique — marking its tenth U.S. location. Nestled at 32 Newbury St., in the heart of the shopping jewel of Boston, the store’s neighbors include Burberry, Chanel and Cartier.


November 29, 2012

Sales of primary batteries used in consumer products should grow 2.4% each year, according to research from Freedonia Group.


Sales of primary batteries used in consumer products should grow 2.4% each year, according to research from Freedonia Group.


That’s good news for a category that has seen a fair share of decline in recent years. Freedonia Group sees a shift in the product mix toward more expensive primary batteries, particularly superpremium alkaline and primary 
lithium products.


Alkaline batteries will continue to dominate the market, and should generate 84% of sales in 2015.

 

November 29, 2012

Drug stores, especially chain drug stores, brand themselves differently. But once customers step through the doors, they tend to only see slight variations of the same thing: the same shelves, too tall for mere humans to reach the top without a ladder; the same product categories every other drug store carries; the same pharmacy counter in the back of the store; and the same cash registers in the front. Some stores have carpets, others have tile floors.


Drug stores, especially chain drug stores, brand themselves differently. But once customers step through the doors, they tend to only see slight variations of the same thing: the same shelves, too tall for mere humans to reach the top without a ladder; the same product categories every other drug store carries; the same pharmacy counter in the back of the store; and the same cash registers in the front. Some stores have carpets, others have tile floors.


November 29, 2012

An often-heard remark in arguments between people is, “You’re not looking at the big picture.” But it’s often just as important to look not just at the big picture, but all the little parts that constitute it, especially if you’re the head of store operations for a major retail chain.


An often-heard remark in arguments between people is, “You’re not looking at the big picture.” But it’s often just as important to look not just at the big picture, but all the little parts that constitute it, especially if you’re the head of store operations for a major retail chain.


November 29, 2012

The economy continues to be the single largest influencer in the growth of the health, beauty and wellness industry. The annual inflation rate has averaged just more than 2% during the past five years.

The economy continues to be the single largest influencer in the growth of the health, beauty and wellness industry. The annual inflation rate has averaged just more than 2% during the past five years. More than ever, consumers are focused on living well with less and are making every effort to save money. Manufacturers are struggling to manage the ever-increasing cost of goods sold, and retailers are under tremendous pressure to increase profits in a very competitive environment.


November 29, 2012

The success of Rite Aid’s Wellness store is in the experience. It’s welcoming. It’s engaging. And across various touchpoints throughout the store, it helps guide Rite Aid customers toward however it is they define “well.” That’s as much a function of design of the stores as it is the people and the products in those stores.


The success of Rite Aid’s Wellness store is in the experience. It’s welcoming. It’s engaging. And across various touchpoints throughout the store, it helps guide Rite Aid customers toward however it is they define “well.” That’s as much a function of design of the stores as it is the people and the products in those stores.


November 29, 2012

Novelty gift company 30 Watt introduced its latest prank gift for the outlet-challenged. Billed as a “solution” for hard-to-reach electrical devices, Connect-A-Cord is actually 50 1-ft. sections of extension cord.


MINNEAPOLIS — Novelty gift company 30 Watt introduced its latest prank gift for the outlet-challenged. Billed as a “solution” for hard-to-reach electrical devices, Connect-A-Cord is actually 50 1-ft. sections of extension cord.


The gag gift’s packaging boasts that it “comes with an optional contractor case for tangle-free storage,” but when the recipient opens up the Prank Pack, they will discover the bright yellow flaps inside reading “Prank You!” 


November 29, 2012

Walgreens launched Ology, a nationally accessible and affordable brand formulated to be free of harmful chemicals. Exclusive to Walgreens’ family of companies, the Ology brand features a line of household cleaners, as well as baby and personal care products. 


RETAILER NEWS — Walgreens launched Ology, a nationally accessible and affordable brand formulated to be free of harmful chemicals. Exclusive to Walgreens’ family of companies, the Ology brand features a line of household cleaners, as well as baby and personal care products. 


November 29, 2012

The entirety of Rite Aid’s marketing message can really be broken down to just two simple, yet powerful words: 
wellness empowerment. 


The entirety of Rite Aid’s marketing message can really be broken down to just two simple, yet powerful words: 
wellness empowerment. 


It is those two words that have helped inform Rite Aid’s entire wellness platform, from the introduction of its wellness+ loyalty card program in 2010 to the rollout of its new Wellness stores, beginning in 2011. It is those two words that have helped reinvigorate Rite Aid’s business — from how the store is formatted and how it looks, to the energy that pops among Rite Aid’s Wellness Ambassadors. 


November 26, 2012

Duracell, partnering with Toys for Tots, is looking to "power" jubilant faces this holiday season. The company announced an exclusive sweepstakes on their Facebook page allowing consumers to win some of the holiday's hottest toys while helping those in need.

BETHEL, CT. — Duracell, partnering with Toys for Tots, is looking to "power" jubilant faces this holiday season. The company announced an exclusive sweepstakes on their Facebook page allowing consumers to win some of the holiday's hottest toys while helping those in need.

November 26, 2012

The long-standing partnership with NASCAR sees an impressive 4-to-1 return on investment.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fl. — NASCAR will honor Mars this year with the annual Marketing Achievement Award at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards, at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas on Thursday, Nov. 29. Mars and NASCAR represent one of the longest-standing partnerships within the sport with their 23-year relationship.

Spanning multiple activations, Mars has directly engaged race fans, customers and associates through an integrated marketing strategy, including intellectual property, promotions, public relations, B2B, online, broadcast, event marketing and retail.

November 26, 2012

Quill.com is capitalizing on the success of its Dunder Mifflin paper line with seven new products.

LINCOLNSHIRE, Il. — In late 2011, Quill.com began offering Dunder Mifflin paper as part of an innovative licensing agreement with NBCUniversal. The program was a huge success, and now Quill is looking to expand "The Office" product line to feature several more items.

November 26, 2012

Target will unveil an exclusive collection of shoes made by Sam and Libby starting in May 2013, the mass merchandise retailer said Monday.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target will unveil an exclusive collection of shoes made by Sam and Libby starting in May 2013, the mass merchandise retailer said Monday.

Target said the partnership with the shoe brand would be ongoing and feature 20 styles of women's footwear with an expanded assortment of colors starting at $24.99.

November 21, 2012

More than half of U.S. adults plan to buy holiday gifts during Thanksgiving weekend, according to a new survey from the Consumer Electronics Association.

ARLINGTON, Va. — More than half of U.S. adults plan to buy holiday gifts during Thanksgiving weekend, according to a new survey from the Consumer Electronics Association.

The survey found that 60% will buy gifts during Black Friday weekend, with the average adult planning to spend $218 between Thursday and Monday, compared with $159 last year. At the same time, the "fiscal cliff" may affect their holiday spending. Overall, consumers plan to spend $842 on gifts this year.

November 21, 2012

Walgreens and Redbox on Tuesday announced that the first 250 customers to make a purchase at each of the more than 8,000 Walgreens locations nationwide on Thanksgiving Day will get a free one-night Redbox DVD rental.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Redbox on Tuesday announced that the first 250 customers to make a purchase at each of the more than 8,000 Walgreens locations nationwide on Thanksgiving Day will get a free one-night Redbox DVD rental. The rental will be valid from Thanksgiving Day through Nov. 29, 2012, at any Walgreens offering Redbox rentals.

November 20, 2012

Rite Aid is offering Black Friday discounts early at its stores, the retail pharmacy chain said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering Black Friday discounts early at its stores this year.

The retail pharmacy chain said it would open its stores from at least 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and emailing Black Friday survival guides with shopping tips and savings to customers. The National Retail Federation predicts that 71 million shoppers will visit retailers over Black Friday weekend.

November 20, 2012

Walgreens will be making a multichannel play for Black Friday customers through a mystery mobile coupon, the retailer announced Tuesday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens will be making a multichannel play for Black Friday customers through a mystery mobile coupon, the retailer announced Tuesday. 

November 19, 2012

DSN profiled six companies that sell on their American-made heritage as part of its "Made in America" report.

DSN profiled six companies that sell on their American-made heritage as part of its "Made in America" report.

GREEN TOYS
MILL VALLEY, Calif. — Green Toys makes a line of classic children’s toys constructed from recycled, food-safe plastic and other environmentally friendly materials. The products not only help fuel the “Made in America” movement, the use of recycled materials helps distinguish the toy manufacturer by reducing fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.

November 19, 2012

Made in America. To suggest that this marketing message doesn’t resonate with today’s American consumer may come off as sacrilege, especially considering how job creation was a central issue in this month’s presidential election.

Made in America. To suggest that this marketing message doesn’t resonate with today’s American consumer may come off as sacrilege, especially considering how job creation was a central issue in this month’s presidential election.

But there are two questions marketers of “Made in America” have to ask. First, does this marketing message have staying power?  And second, where does it rank in a consumer’s purchasing decision tree?

November 16, 2012

Consumers showed a greater willingness to spend in October as the housing market began to recover and energy prices receded, according to a new report by Deloitte.

NEW YORK — Consumers showed more confidence in October as a recovery in the housing market indicated a greater willingness to spend — especially among people who shop through multiple channels — but some headwinds remain, and the issues in Congress could threaten the gains, according to a new report by Deloitte.

The monthly Deloitte Consumer Spending Index rose significantly last month, to 4.02, from September's 3.54. The index measures tax burden, initial unemployment claims, wages and home prices.

November 16, 2012

Ibotta on Friday officially launched its free mobile application for iPhone users that gives consumers a new way to earn as much as $40 in cash each time they shop.

DENVER — Ibotta on Friday officially launched its free mobile application for iPhone users that gives consumers a new way to earn as much as $40 in cash each time they shop. With Ibotta, consumers earn cash rewards for answering a trivia question, watching videos and/or providing feedback on their favorite products, then buying the products in major national retailers, such as Walmart, Target and Walgreens.  

November 16, 2012

Procter & Gamble's Mr. Clean brand on Friday announced that is has manufactured 1 billion Mr. Clean Magic Erasers since the product's launch in 2003.

CINCINATTI – Procter & Gamble's Mr. Clean brand on Friday announced that is has manufactured 1 billion Mr. Clean Magic Erasers since the product's launch in 2003.

"Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is a remarkable product, and we are extremely proud to reach this landmark for the history of the brand," said Mr. Clean communications manager Michelle Lohman. "We are excited that in nine years, it has become a cleaning staple among our fans."