General Merchandise

Drug stores are cautiously expanding their consumer electronics selections. MP3 players, digital cameras and pre-paid mobile phones are finding a place beside the more traditional mix of handheld tape players and clock radios in the channel.

DALLAS — The National Diaper Bank Network and Kimberly-Clark's Huggies brand have pledged to donate 1 million diapers to the American Red Cross to support the organization's disaster relief efforts in the South and Midwest.

MASON, Ohio — Iams is introducing a new line of pet food that addresses the needs of dogs and cats ages 11 years and older.

New Senior Plus, which will be available in the ProActive Health and Premium Protection formulas, are designed to keep pets healthy, playful and active as they reach the double-digit age bracket.

ATLANTA — Case-Mate has introduced a new line of iPad cases.

The lineup includes seven new cases that boast modern and fashionable styles with a range of fresh colors, striking prints and bold textures. The cases will range in price from $40 to $90.

"Case-Mate continues to outfit the hottest tablets on the market with eye-catching and stylish cases for all occasions," Case-Mate CEO Shashi Reddy said. "High design and functionality is coupled with protection to create these on-trend cases that complement the new iPad."

SUPPLIER NEWS — An iPhone and iPad waterproofing solution that offers antimicrobial product protection has hit the market. Seal Shields are form-fitting polyurethane covers that make iPhones and iPads 100% waterproof, washable and disinfectable, according to the product’s manufacturer. The product, which is completely invisible and preserves the original Apple design, contains an antimicrobial fungistatic agent that protects the product by inhibiting the growth of microbial bacteria, mold, mildew and fungi on the products’ surfaces.

ODENTON, Md. — M-Edge has launched a new line of protective cases for the latest Apple iPad.

The new cases feature the uView Mounting System, a molded polycarbonate four-corner iPad frame that snaps in via a universal attachment clip that mounts into the jacket in landscape or portrait modes, or can be detached for lower profile protection, without obstructing access to the iPad's camera, ports and buttons.

The new line carries a suggested retail price range of $34.99 to $49.99.

Within the past month, two Ohio-based traditional retailers announced plans to test-market automated retail vending machines. It’s not so much thinking outside of the box as it is figuring out how to get that box to where the consumers are, wherever they are — the airport, the hospital, convention centers, exercise facilities, on a college campus or in a hotel. 


FAIRFIELD, N.J. — Telebrands is bringing the popular Sticky Buddy roller product to retail in early May. The lint and dust remover has had strong direct-to-
consumer sales. In its first two weeks on the JW Greensheet industry report of the top 75 traditional direct response spots, the product climbed to the No. 2 position — a rate that is “extremely rare,” according to Greensheet publisher John Kogler.