General Merchandise

NEW YORK — Everybody talks about “Health & Wellness” and “Product Innovation.” But what do those words actually mean to the consumer?

NEW YORK — Duane Reade continues to raise the bar and reshape how consumers shop consumables at drug stores with its revamped 24-hour location at 52nd Street and Broadway in New York.


To better reflect the needs of the neighborhood, which is brimming largely with tourists and business travelers, Duane Reade transformed the former 3,100-sq.-ft. Duane Reade Express store into a 20,000-sq.-ft. health, beauty and daily living destination.


The recession has taken a toll on the pet category, according to some companies. A recent report from Cascadia Capital revealed that 35% of consumers said they curtailed pet expenditures in 2011 due to the economy. Spending on pets is expected to hit the $50 billion mark in 2011, an increase of 5% over 2010, according to the American Pet Products Association. Packaged Facts predicted that the industry will grow 5.9% in 2012.


ROCHESTER, N.Y. — In an effort to focus on its digital growth initiatives and accelerate its transformation to a digital company, Eastman Kodak said it is selling its Eastman Gelatine business to Rousselot, which is part of the Vion Food Group.

To Drug Store News and the industry at large:

As the year comes to a close, ECRM would like to express our collective gratitude for the industry’s support over the past year. I personally want to thank the many retailers, suppliers and brokers for their overwhelming expressions of encouragement, sympathy, and compassion directed to me personally and to all of us at ECRM during this difficult period.  At a time of inexplicable tragedy for me, your collective support  helped to keep our vision alive and I am forever grateful.

SMYRNA, Ga. — Bubba Brands has introduced its Envy tumblers.

The tumblers, which are made of Eastman Tritan material, safeguard hot contents for 3 hours and conserves cold contents for up to 5 hours, the company said.

Bubba Envy tumblers are available in 17-oz. and 24-oz. sizes at Publix stores and on ShopBubba.com.

BILLUND, Denmark — Lego has introduced a new line of construction toys that caters to girls ages 5 years and older.

Lego Friends, the company said, is a collection that will consist of 23 products that tailor the Lego construction experience to the demographic, the company said. The sets now will roll out through summer 2012.

SALT LAKE CITY — Vandor is introducing a line of acrylic travel cups and ceramic travel mugs to its lineup of products featuring legendary licenses, and also has added the Grateful Dead to its roster of pop icon licenses.

The Grateful Dead license embodies the philosophy and spirit of the sixties counterculture movement, according to the company. The licensed line will include drinkware, tin totes, stationary, shopper totes and clocks featuring highly recognizable Grateful Dead imagery.