General Merchandise

SHELTON, Conn. — Bic Consumer Products USA’s new FlameDisk offers consumers a convenient, portable alternative to charcoal. FlameDisk, which uses ethanol as its main fuel ingredient, heats up quickly and is cleaner than charcoal. The portable disk, which fits most charcoal grills, is ready to use in minutes after lighting and provides a steady flame for between 35 and 45 minutes — about the same rate as charcoal. With no ashes or soot to remove, cleanup is easy. Once FlameDisk is cool, the aluminum container can be thrown away. FlameDisk retails for $4.99 for one disk.

NEW YORK — Anchor Bay Entertainment is bringing more "Chuggington" adventures to DVD this summer.

NEW YORK — One of the first lessons in life that children learn is that getting sick isn’t fun, and going to the pharmacy isn’t too exciting either. In 2004, pharmacist Charles Tabouchirani decided to change that by opening Cherry’s Pharmacy, a store that specializes in dealing with children.

Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at the NPD Group said that back-to-college has become a big opportunity for retailers, and everybody wants part of the business. Last year, families spent an average of $800 on back-to-college products.


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Global Market Development Center will host its 42nd annual General Merchandise Conference in approximately three weeks in Orlando, Fla., the association announced Monday. Running June 1 through June 5, GMDC is expecting more than 900 attendees for the front-end show.

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Cesar is boosting its lineup of canine cuisine to include new bite-sized baked treats.

Cesar Cookie Crunchies, available in filet mignon and rotisserie chicken flavors, are treats shaped as mini bones, paw prints and hearts, and are 10 calories each, the company said.

NEW YORK — New research that will appear in the upcoming issue of the Journal of Marketing Research explores consumer sentiment over the extension of a premium brand outside of its typical category.

NORWELL, Mass. — Carex Health Brands is launching an all-in-one medication organizer and pill splitter under its Apex brand.

Apex's medication station features the ultra pill splitter with blade guard safety, two removable seven-day medication organizers with Bubble-Lok technology and a nonslip base that holds everything together. All parts are removable for travel, filling or cleaning.

Apex's all-in-one medication organizer and pill splitter carries a suggested retail price of $9.99.