General Merchandise

SAN ANTONIO — Consumers plan to buy more gifts this year, according to a recent survey commissioned by USAA and released Monday. The fourth annual USAA holiday spending survey indicated that consumer sentiment toward holiday budgeting has become more positive in 2012 when compared to 2011 (53% vs. 45%).

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble's diaper brand, Pampers, and international superstar Thalia are celebrating the influential role of music in Latino children's development with the launch of "Mi Música, Mi Herencia," an online initiative for Latino parents.

PLANO, Texas — Cracker Jack is celebrating the 100-year anniversary of "a prize in every box" by teaming up with Walgreens stores to give consumers the chance to win a diamond ring valued at $1,000, the company announced Monday. 

ANKENY, Iowa — A supermarket chain and a convenience store chain in the Midwest have launched a program that they said would allow customers to save on gasoline at all their stores.

 MINNESOTA — A number of Supervalu banners on Friday announced that select locations will host Iams Home 4 the Holidays initiative on Nov. 2 and 3. As part of the events, neighborhood shelters will introduce shoppers to deserving puppies, kittens, dogs and cats that are up for adoption.

DENVER — Although 77% of general shoppers compare store brands to brand names, 90% of women compare both regularly, according to a shopper behavior study conducted by The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research that was published Thursday in The Checkout.  

CINCINNATI — Social media engagement between a consumer and brand drives both immediate and long-term sales increases, according to a study released Thursday by LoyaltyOne. The research constitutes a social media marketing breakthrough because it establishes the accountability link long sought by brands that have showered dollars on social media outlets while attempting to prove the return on investment to C-suite skeptics, the company stated.

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Polaroid today announced the launch of the Polaroid Fotobar online store — PolaroidFotoBar.com — which offers an easy process to turn digital pictures into museum-quality art.

"With an estimated 1.5 billion photos taken each day, everyone captures the perfect moment that should be displayed on the office or living room wall," said Cheryl Zatz, VP marketing at Fotobar. "With Polaroid Fotobar, those special memories can be made into something exceptional."