General Merchandise

CINCINNATI — Bounty, a Proctor and Gamble brand, has unveiled the new DuraTowel, a cloth-like paper towel designed to use instead of reusing dishcloths, which the company said can redeposit millions of germs after just one use.

AVON, Ohio — Duck Tape is heading to the runway this Thursday on Lifetime’s “Project Runway,” as season 11’s aspiring designers face the “Unconventional Materials Challenge,” a competition in every season that challenges them to create high-fashion clothing from something other than fabric.

CHICAGO — Chummies, an innovative friendship bracelet, hit the market on Tuesday. The silicone, latex-free interlocking bracelets are sold in pairs and can be pulled apart to give to various close friends, or "chums."

PHOENIX — Red cups aren't just made for beer pong anymore. Red Cup Living has taken them to a whole new level with reusable designs made specifically for wine, margaritas, cocktails and coffee.

ATLANTA — The number of adult smokers who had used electronic cigarettes more than doubled in the space of a year, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

NEW YORK — While the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program helps to keep some 50 million low-income Americans from going hungry, it excludes pet food, forcing many to give up their nonhuman family members. But a new program aims to alleviate the problem.

The Pet Food Stamps Program is a nonprofit group in New York that has a partnership with online pet products retailer PetFlow.com, whereby beneficiaries can receive a monthly home delivery of supplies for free.

WILTON, Conn. — Sun Products, makers of such laundry brands as Wisk and Snuggle, has launched a new All detergent: All Fresh and Sensitive.

NEW YORK — Energizer is set to launch a new portfolio of lighting products this spring, the New York Times "Gadgetwise" blog reported today. The new line is expected to hit Target shelves in late March, followed by other mass merchandisers later on.