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WASHINGTON — This Black Friday weekend proved to be a help to retailers, as shopper traffic and spending both increased, the National Retail Federation said.

While 212 million shoppers visited stores and websites this weekend, up from 195 million shoppers last year, the average shopper spend totaled $365.34 this weekend, a 6.4% increase from last year. Total spending reached an estimated $45 billion, NRF said.

CLEVELAND — Taking traditional holiday cards to the next level, American Greetings has launched a new line of photo greetings on its website.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Diabetica Research Solutions is spreading the word about its diabetes energy formula with a new media program that targets the New York metropolitan area.

The targeted media program for DRSI ReStore! Energy — which now is available at Duane Reade and Rite Aid pharmacies in the area — supplements the brand's national television campaign, includes high saturation local commercial spots on television and radio, and internet banner ads to appear specifically on Web pages viewed by people in New York and the surrounding area.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — This is part of the future of health care that Walgreens envisioned when it first began to make a major commitment to specialty pharmacy — it knew it could save payers and patients a whole lot of money.

(THE NEWS: Walgreens promotes big savings via monitored oncology Rx therapy. For the full story, click here)

SKILLMAN, N.J. Aveeno, a Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products brand, has developed new products and teamed up with the National Eczema Association to educate sufferers of the common condition in preparation for the cold and dry winter months when dry skin is most common.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Several organizations representing retailers and consumer healthcare product manufacturers want Congress to reverse a provision in the healthcare-reform act that would prohibit the use of flexible spending accounts to purchase over-the-counter medicines without a prescription.

SKILLMAN, N.J. Aveeno, a Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Co. brand, has developed new products and teamed up with the National Eczema Association to educate sufferers of the common condition in preparation for the cold and dry winter months when dry skin is most common.

Roughly 35 million people in the United States suffer from eczema, a chronic skin disorder resulting in intense itching and overall discomfort. Eczema also is among the top five skin conditions for babies zero to 36 months, with 10% to 20% of all infants experiencing some form of eczema.

YORK, Pa. Lifestyle Foods is helping consumers curb their daily calorie intake without sacrificing taste.

Lifestyle Foods' chilled grab-and-go line of products pairs together soups, including chicken noodle, vegetarian vegetable and tomato basil varieties, with either Caesar or garden salads, accompanied by light Caesar, ranch or Italian dressings. Lifestyle Foods also offers an oatmeal kit, complemented by fresh apple, raisins and turbinado sugar.

FLINT, Mich. Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has promoted Steven Miesowicz to VP human resources, planning and government relations, the company said Monday.

Miesowicz previously served as the company’s senior director for human resources and as a business management consultant. He had a large role in securing the Michigan Economic Growth Authority tax credit that the company received in connection with the relocation to its new Flint, Mich., headquarters.

NEW YORK Toys continue to dominate wish lists this holiday season, according to a new poll by Harris Interactive.

Of 3,084 U.S. adults surveyed online between Oct. 11 and 18, 53% of respondents said that they plan to purchase toys as gifts this year. What's more, nearly 3-out-of-4 consumers in a household with children (73%) said they will purchase toys as gifts this year.

Topping the toys list this year includes books (43%), video games (32%) and board games (32%). Top gift picks also include:

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday reported that Vigor-25, a product inappropriately marketed as a natural dietary supplement to enhance male sexual performance, should not be purchased or used because it contains sildenafil, the active ingredient in the prescription drug Viagra.