Content about Time

NEW YORK — More than a quarter of Americans expect to spend less during the holidays this year, according to a survey by American’s Research Group, Reuters reported.

About 27% of people surveyed said they planned to spend less this year, while about 55% expect to spend only as much as last year. The question was one of several exclusively asked for Reuters as part of a larger America's Research Group survey.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday revealed results of its "Kroger Comforts Moms" survey to help understand the mindset of moms with young children.

MINNEAPOLIS — Responding to customer feedback, Procter & Gamble announced that it has improved its Pampers Cruisers diaper line to include improved softness, a 20% longer absorbent patch and new "Sesame Street" designs.

"We are really excited to offer these new and improved diapers," said Tricia Higgins for Pampers external relations. "We have listened to what parents really like about our diapers and responded by adding those features, such as the softness from Swaddlers, to our Cruisers diapers, which are available in sizes 3 and 4."

TOLEDO, Ohio — Almost 15 years after its debut, the original singing bird clock is being relaunched by Mark Feldstein & Associates, the company announced.

The clock, which features images and 12 songs — one at the top of each hour — from 12 songbirds in North America, is available for a limited time to celebrate its upcoming 15th anniversary in 2012. MFA discontinued the original singing bird clock in 2006 after coming out with another version licensed by the National Audubon Society a few years earlier, the company said.

DALLAS — Huggies' limited-edition diaper product is returning to store shelves this summer.

Huggies jeans diapers and wipes will be available nationwide from May through July at retail outlets where diapers are sold, parent company Kimberly-Clark announced. What's more, for every purchase of Huggies jeans diapers or wipes, the brand will donate diapers to families in need through its Every Little Bottom program. The goal is to donate 22.5 million diapers in 2011.

CHICAGO — Most consumers believe that aging gracefully is genetic but also believe that such factors as diet, exercise and sunscreen play an important role in warding off the signs of aging, according to recent Mintel research.

The research firm found that 69% of consumers believed that how you age is mostly genetic. Eight-out-of-10 consumers also thought that diet and exercise are the most important factors associated with aging skin, and 78% believed that using sunscreen is the real key to preventing visible signs of aging.

As expected, advancements in technology and women’s reluctance to trade down in a segment that promises to ward off the signs of aging have spelled continued growth for anti-aging skin care products.


“Manufacturers continue to introduce new active ingredients ... while advanced anti-aging formulas are spilling over from the premium segment into the mass channel,” stated Euromonitor International in its most recent U.S. skin care report.

ENFIELD, Conn. — Lego is bringing a new kind of ninja to game enthusiasts.

Ninjago, the newest Lego family member, combines the best of Lego construction play, action-based competitive play and virtual gaming. Ninjago tells the story of four young ninjas who train under the watchful eye of Sensei Wu to master an ancient martial art — Spinjitzu — the art of spinning into a human tornado, to save the world from the evil Lord Garmadon and his skeleton army.

BOSTON — A recent survey regarding memorable product launches in 2010 found that — not surprisingly — the Apple iPad ranked No. 1 among this year's new innovations.

But while the iPad earned the top spot, consumer packaged goods also made their stake in this year's Most Memorable New Product Launch survey, which was conducted online by Schneider Associates, Sentient Decision Science and SymphonyIRI Group during October.

MEMPHIS — Total sales and comparable-store sales both rose during the month of November for Fred's, the chain announced Tuesday.

Fred's disclosed total sales for the four-week fiscal month ended Nov. 27 increased 6% to $146.3 million from the year-ago period, while comparable-store sales for the month rose 4.7% versus a decline of 3.3% during November 2009.

DEERFIELD, Ill. With the holiday season fast approaching, Walgreens is aggressively positioning itself as a holiday shopping destination via its website and a holiday shopping guide it is mailing directly to consumers.