General Merchandise

SAN DIEGO — WD-40's specialty products for trade professionals now are available.

The WD-40 Specialist line — which includes the rust release penetrant spray, water-resistant silicone lubricant, protective white lithium grease, long-term corrosion inhibitor and rust remover soak — began shipping in September 2011 now is available nationwide.

SPOKANE, Wash. — Zak Designs has introduced a new line of food and snack containers.

Zak said its ChillPak containers are designed to keep items cool and fresh. Available in a 26-oz. square container, which is sized for sandwiches or other larger meal items, and a 13.oz. snack container, each of the ChillPak containers include one of Zak’s patented ColdHold freezer packs.

Zak ChillPak containers also are available in an assortment of licenses, including Disney Princess, Cars, Spider-Man Classic, Hello Kitty, Minnie Mouse and Disney Fairies.

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Cesar is adding two new flavors of dog food to its portfolio.

The company has introduced new Cesar original pate smoked BBQ chicken flavor meal and Cesar Sunrise scrambled egg and sausage flavor breakfast. The new flavors were developed in response to an unique opportunity that offered consumers the ability to design a delicious dish to satisfy even the most particular palettes, Cesar said.

CINCINNATI — Febreze has partnered with Macaroni Kid and Operation Gratitude to send 60,000 Febreze Set & Refresh products to U.S. Military Service members this Valentine's Day.

Febreze’s partnership with Macaroni Kid and Operation Gratitude is an extension of Febreze’s Breathe Happy campaign, which highlights how Febreze products can transform the air so anyone can "breathe happy."

CHICAGO — According to “Merchandising Trends: Driving Consumption through Shopper Marketing,” a new report published earlier this week by SymphonyIRI Group, merchandising continues to play an important role at retail. In 2011, 47% of consumer packaged goods categories enjoyed increased merchandising support, including displays, feature ads, feature and display combined, and price reduction only.

NEW YORK — A household cleaner, a shampoo for kids and a cheese snack product earned top honors in a consumer-voted awards program published by Better Homes and Gardens.

NEW YORK — Oregon Scientific has introduced a new line of Scooby-Doo-themed personal electronics, thanks to a licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

The lineup of electronic learning toys include the the Scooby-Doo Magic Laptop, Scooby-Doo Secret Pocket Learner, and Scooby-Doo Mystery Learner, which will be released this summer. Each of the items provide on-the-go play, reinforcing vocabulary, logic, numbers, memory and creativity, Oregon Scientific said.

DENVER — Shoppers ages 50 to 54 years lead the charge when it comes to purchasing health and beauty products online (52%), and shoppers ages 45 to 49 years are purchasing more food and beverage products online (29%) than any other age group, according to The Checkout, an ongoing shopper behavior study conducted by The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research, released Thursday.