General Merchandise

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition and the Food Marketing Institute announced they are working together to remind pharmacists about their legal obligations when selling dietary supplements in a retail setting.

COPPELL, Texas — Dexas has introduced two new kitchen products: a new melon slicer and watermelon cutting and serving board.

Dexas said its new watermelon cutting and serving board features a nonslip, raised edge that performs two functions: it holds the cutting board firmly and safely in place on the counter while also acting as a raised barrier to keep juice and seeds on the board. The item, which also is available in eggplant, lemon, tomato, green apple and orange shapes, also touts a propylene surface and is dishwasher safe.

ST. LOUIS — Tidy Cats has launched a new campaign to support its latest cat litter formula.

Electronic cigarettes, sometimes called personal vaporizers, are making their way into the drug channel. As tobacco smoking in public is steadily becoming a thing of the past, smokers are looking for alternatives, and more retail channels are carrying the products.

Rite Aid has begun to carry several models of electronic cigarettes, replacement batteries and replacement cartridges, and is merchandising the products at the checkout near tobacco products.

Technology is changing the general merchandise aisles. Online greeting cards have grabbed share from traditional cards, and photofinishing is taking a hit as consumers move to digital photo publishing.

When retailers look for products or services to fill the vacuum left by shrinking categories, they’re looking for something consumers want today and will still need tomorrow.

The uBreakiFix concept suggests one possibility. The electronics repair chain specializes in iPad, iPhone, iPod and smartphones, and offers walk-in repair services while consumers wait.

DALLAS — Kimberly-Clark announced that its Scott Naturals brand has earned the Green Good Housekeeping Seal for three products.

Scott Naturals dry bath tissue, paper towels and napkins have met the Good Housekeeping Green Seal's environmental standard for paper goods, based on recycled content and other factors, Kimberly-Clark said. The Scott Naturals dry bath tissue, paper towels and napkins are made with a blend of virgin material and at least 20% recycled material in products or packaging.

WILTON, Conn. — Sun Products has announced the appointment of a new EVP national brands.

Ed Vlacich, the company said, will be responsible for building Sun Products' branded business through effective marketing, innovation and strategic leadership and will be a member of the company's executive leadership team.

Vlacich comes to Sun Products from Novartis, where he spent more than seven years in senior leadership roles. He most recently served as global chief marketing officer for CIBA Vision, a $2 billion contact lens and care business.

Self-service is becoming more prevalent as consumers grow accustomed to using kiosks for everything from self-checkout in the supermarket to checking in for their flights. Experts estimated that by 2016, 3 million kiosks will be in use globally.