General Merchandise

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A sticky situation just got stickier.

Elmer’s Products has introduced Elmer’s ProBond Advanced adhesive, which is being promoted as a multipurpose glue that’s as strong as a polyurethane competitor, but without the foamy mess.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has a deal with pop music group Mindless Behavior to let fans write lyrics for the band, the mass merchandise retailer said Thursday.

The contest, called "Your Lyrics, Their Voices," gives fans the opportunity to write their own song lyrics for a verse of a special fan edition of the title track for the album "All Around the World."

FAIRFAX, Va. — ThinkGeek's GeekLabs on Wednesday announced the launch of four votive candles scented to evoke special memories, from a pizza arcade to a high school locker room.

"You always see candles that take you on 'exotic journeys'," staid Ty Liotta, chief of GeekLabs. "We wanted to create something more accessible. Something that every geek will relate to."

CHICAGO — Shopper activity will continue to improve intermittently through the first half of 2013, according to ShopperTrak, the world's largest counter of retail foot traffic.

ShopperTrak estimates during the first quarter of 2013, national retail sales will increase 3.2% and retail foot traffic will increase 3.5%, when compared to the same period last year. The company estimates during the second quarter of 2013, national retail sales will increase 2.9%, though foot traffic will remain flat with a 0% change, when compared to the same period in 2012.

EWING, N.J. — To help mark Condom Awareness Week, Trojan Brand Condoms has deployed a fleet of Trojan Safe Ride taxis to drive home facts about condoms. New Yorkers are invited to get in one of the taxis to test their sexual health IQ by participating in a condom trivia game while en route to their destination.

MIAMI — Green Innovations on Monday expanded its recently formed strategic advisory board, the company announced.

Joining the advisory board is Mark DeFilippo, a 20-year category management veteran from Walgreens. DeFilippo managed several categories across the front end, including candy and batteries, and OTC products such as cough-cold, pain and sleep remedies.  

ST. LOUIS — A group of former executives from Save-A-Lot, Grandpa's Stores and Deals: Nothing Over a Dollar has teamed up to create a new business venture that they said would combine wholesale, retail and e-commerce components.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target is selling a special edition of Justin Timberlake's new studio album, the mass-merchandise retailer said Monday.

Target said its edition of Timberlake's album, "The 20/20 Experience," would feature two bonus tracks, "Dress On" and "Body Count."