General Merchandise

NEW YORK — A new survey by Angus Reid Public Opinion revealed a number of similarities and differences between the holiday shopping habits of people in North America and the United Kingdom.

PERRYSBURG, Ohio — Glass packaging maker Owens-Illinois has appointed a new SVP and chief commercial officer, O-I said Tuesday.

Tony Gardner, who will lead O-I's global sales, marketing, pricing and product innovation initiatives, brings more than 20 years of business leadership experience to O-I. Prior to his new position, Gardner worked at Accenture for five years, where he worked with many of the world's largest consumer packaged goods companies and their suppliers.

Procter & Gamble announced Tuesday that Gain would be partnering with comedienne and actress Wanda Sykes, who will join Gain’s resident “Scenthropologist” Tim Hittle in promoting Gain’s 13 detergents and fabric softener scents.

ATLANTA — Case-Mate is bringing Marvel Entertainment's most popular comic book vigilantes home for the holidays.

The company said that its new line of phone cases — available for Android, BlackBerry and Apple devices — feature such characters as Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Spider-Man and the X-Men. Each series contains three different designs and carry a suggested retail price range of $35 to $40.

NEW YORK — A new home fragrance system has hit the market.

New Aircraft Infused ScentSticks, which are made from natural, biodegradable fibers from sustainable resources, allows consumers to create more than 1,000 unique fragrance combinations from a palette of 12 scents, making its a truly customized air freshener, the company said.

Aircraft Infused ScentSticks launch in January 2012 at retailers nationwide, including Bed, Bath and Beyond.

SHELTON, Conn. — Bic has introduced a new lighter series that features custom motorcycles from "Orange County Choppers."

The Orange County Choppers lighters line includes 10 designs, including one that features an image of the custom-made bike produced for Bic (and themed after the BIC Flex4 men’s razor), which OCC built on-air for an episode of last season’s "American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior."

The new lighters carry a suggested retail price of $1.79.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — For those who doubt that consumers and their smartphones are inseparable when it comes to shopping, think again. Mobile advertising company Verve Wireless conducted research and found that more than half of consumers are using their smartphones when shopping. The timing of the news is especially critical given the holiday shopping season is upon us and, clearly, holiday 2011 is shaping up to be the “tipping point” for mobile commerce.

ST. LOUIS — Joe McClanathan, president and CEO of the Energizer household products division, will retire in the first half of 2012, Energizer Holdings announced Friday. He will be succeeded by Alan Hoskins, VP Asia-Pacific, Africa and Middle East.