General Merchandise

SOUTH DEEFIELD, Mass. — Yankee Candle has launched Pure Radiance Crackling LumiWick, a scented candle featuring a natural wood LumiWick that creates an extra-wide crackling flame with a soft, radiant glow.

When lit, the candle form creates an ambient crackling wood fire experience.

Pure Radiance, launched earlier this year, has a modern design, custom soy wax blend and innovative LumiWick technology for a wide flame and consistent burn. The Crackling LumiWick with etched bark glass will be available in three Pure Radiance fragrances this holiday season.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — There’s good news for the upcoming holiday selling season. The National Retail Federation said September retail sales — excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants — increased 0.4%, seasonally adjusted from August and 2.1% unadjusted year-over-year.

Universal Home Studios will make its irreverent comedy "Ted" available on Blu-ray combo pack, DVD and On Demand on Dec. 11. The comedy, directed by “Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane, stars Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis. The foul-mouthed lead character, an oversized teddy bear named Ted, is voiced by MacFarlane.

Tide’s online photo campaign, “Show Us Your Colors,” is offering fans a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl XLVII. The “Show Us Your Colors” contest is P&G’s latest addition to the brand’s season-long celebration of the pride and passion football fans show for their teams.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — More than half of consumers say they plan to spend $500 or more on gifts this holiday season, slightly more than what they planned on spending in 2011, according to PriceGrabber’s winter holiday shopping survey.

The survey of online shopping consumers, conducted from Aug. 31 to Sept. 12, revealed that 75% planned to shop with online retailers, 74% said they’d shop at discount stores and 49% planned to shop at traditional department stores.

 SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — According to Nielsen analyses issued Thursday, higher consumer confidence levels, increased impulse buying and consumer intent to spend more could all lead to an upside surprise in 2012 holiday spending. 

For sales in 89 categories across five key departments (food, beverages, alcohol, health/beauty and homecare), Nielsen is forecasting spending for November and December 2012 to reach $98.3 billion. Nielsen expects dollar sales to increase 2.3% and unit sales to remain generally flat (0.1%). 

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — Anyone with pets knows that the challenge of getting them to swallow pills is up there with giving them baths.

One company has introduced a line of products designed to make the process easier. Kinn announced the launch of Kudose, which allows pills to be hidden inside homemade treats, and Krocodile, a pill splitter and crusher.

 NOVI, Mich. — The Chain Drug Marketing Association on Wednesday announced its 87th Annual Trade Expo will take place Feb. 19 to 22 at the Hilton Atlanta in Atlanta.

A “Lunch and Learn” for buyers is planned with Bruce Kneeland, of Epicor Software Solutions, speaking about “How successful Pharmacy Owners use the Front-End to Build Sales and Improve Their Image."

CDMA is owned by more than 100 regional drug chains, independent pharmacies, regional drug wholesalers, specialty distributors and buying groups.