General Merchandise

LAS VEGAS — Panasonic, a worldwide leader in consumer electronics technology, announced the Panasonic Breakfast Collection from the floor of the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show. The company will offer three small kitchen appliances: a toaster, coffee maker and kettle, each featuring bold aesthetics.

LAS VEGAS — Panasonic announced new models to their 2013 lineup at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show. With these new items, Panasonic hopes to broaden their appeal and functionality with a wide array of styles to choose from.

"With the Panasonic 2013 lineup of headphones we aimed to create unique styles and form factors that have mass appeal while providing music lovers and true audio enthusiasts the ultimate in sound quality and design," said Tom Hantson, Product Category Manager, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Friday announced the launch of its 10th round of price freezes, effective in all 163 store locations. 

More than 2,000 products have been reduced in price and will stay at these discounted levels for 90 days. Since the company began its price freezing initiative in January 2009, Weis customers have saved more than $40 million dollars, the grocer stated.

NEW YORK — Walt Disney Animation Studios announced the debut of the hit arcade-game-hopping adventure “Wreck-It Ralph." Disney will release an HD digital and HD digital 3D version early on February 12, 2013, a company first. Then on March 5, the company will broaden the release to the four-disc Blu-ray combo pack, two-disc Blu-ray combo pack, DVD, SD digital and On-Demand.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred's on Thursday reported a 1% sales decline to $209.9 million for the five-week fiscal month ended Dec. 29. Comparable store sales for the month decreased 4.2% compared with a decline of 0.4% in the same period last year.

AUSTIN, Texas — To meet growing consumer demand for healthier choices, Whole Foods Market is introducing Engine 2 Plant-Strong products, a new line of plant-based, minimally processed snacks, breakfast items and pantry staples. Developed in collaboration with Rip Esselstyn, author and founder of The Engine 2 Diet, the products will be available exclusively at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide beginning January 2013.

SPOKANE, Wash. — Zak Designs is looking to expand its environmental commitment by launching a new line of dinnerware, serveware and kitchen prep items, all made from recycled melamine. The Sprinkles collection uses the same patented process Zak used in its best-selling, upscale Confetti collection, allowing the company to offer the same environmentally friendly products to the mass market.

NEW YORK — Consumers continued to shop online in ever-increasing numbers this holiday season, according to Chase Holiday Pulse, an aggregator of payment processing data from 50 of Chase Paymentech's largest U.S. e-commerce merchants. Pulse results showed YTD year-over-year sales growth of 15.2%.

For the overall holiday season, Oct. 29 through Dec. 25, the Pulse analysis also revealed transaction growth was up 24.3% YoY, while the average ticket price number continued to decline by 7.3% YoY.