General Merchandise

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."

TORONTO – Tide has introduced Tide plus Febreze Freshness Sport, a new detergent designed to remove tough stains and odors from sports apparel.

"In a recent survey commissioned by Tide, two-thirds of Canadians surveyed said sweat stains and smell were the most difficult challenges they faces when cleaning their active wear — even over hard-to-remove stains like grass," said Gord Meyer, marketing director for P&G Canada.

CLEVELAND – Greeting card maker American Greetings announced last week that its board has formed a committee of independent directors to consider an offer to privatize the company, reported the Associated Press.

According to AP, CEO Zev Weiss and his brother, president and COO Jeffrey Weiss, along with other investors and executives, submitted a proposal to the board on Sept. 25. The group wants to buy all of the company's common stock that it doesn't already own for $17.18 per share, valuing American Greetings at approximately $581 million.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — With shoppers looking for ways to buy things more conveniently, it's clear that the age of the multichannel consumer is well under way, and retailers would be wise to respond in kind. Many of them have already done so.

According to retail consulting firm Upstream Commerce, convenience ranks at the top of reasons why consumers shop online, and as recent news has shown, this is just as true for supermarkets as it is for anyone else.

LOS ANGELES — With the holiday shopping season approaching, one group has released a guide to goods produced domestically.

The Made in USA Foundation announced the latest edition of the "All-American Holiday Gift Guide," which shows readers how to buy American-made Christmas and Hannukah gifts, ornaments and cards, with sections on toys, jewelry, games and other items for men, women and children. Co-published with Made in USA Certified, the 115-page guide also includes food-related items, such as chocolates, blenders and stoves.

QUINCY, Mass. — Stop & Shop is opening a new store that will include new features that emphasize customer experience, the company said.

Stop & Shop, a division of the U.S. subsidiary of Dutch supermarket operator Ahold, said the Wayland, Mass., store would include nine complementary electric car charging stations, as well as numerous energy-efficient features. The store's grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 16.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jondo-USA, a maker of personalized photo and decor products, is making it easy for consumers to create and order framed prints from their smartphone and digital camera photos with the new Snapbox framed prints.

SnapBox products will be available for pick-up and pay at 12,000 retail locations, including Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs, with free shipping to those locations.