General Merchandise

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.

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.

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

 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.

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.

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%.

Research from the Freedonia Group indicates that the mature battery category is seeing modest topline growth largely due to a shift in the product mix toward premium batteries. Growth also is being driven by an increased proliferation of battery-dependent devices in the home, from toothbrushes to glucose monitors.

Alkaline batteries still dominate the consumer primary battery market, accounting for 84% of demand, according to the Freedonia Group. Alkaline batteries also are expected to record solid gains in consumer applications through 2015.

It has been just over a year since Frank Scorpiniti took the helm at Canada's Rexall Pharma Plus. And, as the Canadian retail market continues to heat up, the company has officially taken the lid off a reinvention of its business, from its stores and its brand, to the products and services in its stores.