General Merchandise

NEW YORK — More students in middle and high school are using electronic cigarettes, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Friday, the CDC said that between 2011 and 2012, among students in sixth through 12th grades, e-cigarette use increased from 3.3% to 6.8%.

FREMONT, Neb. — Natura Pet Products brand California Natural is rolling out a new grain-free dog food option, Pork Meal and Sweet Potatoes Formula, along with a new packaging design to highlight the brand's philosophy of using limited ingredients.

NEW YORK — Are drug stores becoming the new convenience stores? A new survey by The Hartman Group indicates that for many shoppers, the drug store is a destination for convenient purchases — particularly, food and beverages.

In a survey of 1,900 adults in Seattle and Dallas, the Bellevue, Wash.-based research firm found that when respondents most recently visited drug stores, 24% of trips were for items for immediate consumption, while 29% were stocking up items. Significant percentages of purchases were for OTC, personal care and consumable items.

CINCINNATI — Febreze has launched the new Febreze Sleep Serenity collection, the brand’s first line of scents specifically designed for the bedroom to help consumers achieve better sleep, the company stated.

NEW YORK  — Prince Lionheart is launching a new line of toilet trainers for small children, the company said Wednesday.

The weePOD trainer will be available starting next month at Target stores for $27.99 and comes in a variety of colors. It includes a slip-resistant ring that keeps the trainer in place and provides handles for stability and support, as well as a hanging loop for easy storage, and a design that makes it easy to clean.

CHICAGO  — IRI announced it has acquired Aztec, a provider of market measurement and related services for consumer packaged goods, liquor and pharmaceutical manufacturers and retailers in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Aztec was acquired from Aegis Media.

NEW YORK — An aggressive species of tick normally found in the South has been spreading into northern states as well, posing a risk to people and pets, according to published reports.

CHICAGO — Cat's Pride, manufactured by Oil-Dri Corp. of America, has announced the newest member of its lightweight litter family, Cat's Pride Fresh & Light All Day Odor Control. The new scented, multi-cat scoopable litter is up to 40% lighter and has three times longer-lasting odor control than other leading scoopable clay litters, allowing for less frequent changes, the company stated.