General Merchandise

Texting and social media have not killed the traditional greeting card business. “Facebook has caused most people to acknowledge more birthdays than ever before, but they aren’t sending fewer cards as a result,” said Susan January, president of the Greeting Card Association and VP of Leanin’ Tree Cards.

SUPPLIER NEWS — Kimberly-Clark’s new portable cleaning wipes are designed to eliminate smudges from touchscreen devices. Packaged in resealable pouches, the wipes easily remove fingerprints, makeup, and skin oil and grease; won’t scratch glass surfaces; and virtually are lint-free, Kimberly-Clark said. KimTech* wipes are available in two packs (10 wipes per pack) and three packs (with 20 wipes per pack) for a suggested retail price of $3 and $7.49, respectively.


MIAMI — Winn-Dixie’s latest transformational remodel in Miami is a store of the future with a merengue twist, featuring a strong Hispanic influence.

In addition to bilingual signage, Winn-Dixie incorporates the regional flair with features like a full-service Cuban café replete with such Spanish pastries as empanadas, as well as a wide variety of Hispanic products.

NEW YORK — A new cardio dance workout is being released on DVD from Gaiam.

"Rhythmica," which stars NYC Crunch fitness instructor Marc Santa Maria, combines results-driven workouts with the latest dance techniques to create a truly unique exercise experience, Gaiam said. "Rhythmic"a offers three 20-minute workouts, including the Get Fit House Party, Latin Dance Mix and Hip-Hop Fat Burn routines.

Rhythmica will this week at Target stores and wherever DVDs are sold.

“Just 1-in-4 consumers expect their financial position to improve in the coming year.” That’s the way SymphonyIRI Group saw it in its recently released report “The Downturn Shopper: Buckled in for a wild and crazy ride.” Among the highlights — or lowlights — of how consumers are responding to the pressure:


• 49% visit the hair salon/spa less often;


• 40% are trying fewer new products;


ST. LOUIS — Cepia, makers of wildly popular ZhuZhu Pets, has a new line of collectables in its lineup for the 2011 holiday season. Xia-Xia (pronounced “shah-shah”) Pets is a new line of four collectable hermit crabs that walk and dance when their claws are pressed.


Each character comes with one little crab inside its shell, and the crabs can switch and swap from a collection of 12 candy-colored shells. Three habitat play sets also are available. Play sets and accessories range in price from $5.99 to $19.99.

NEW YORK — Gaiam announced the release of Seane Corn's "Detox Flow Yoga" DVD.

The DVD stars Corn, a renowned yoga instructor, which introduces users to poses that improve circulation and digestion, build strength, and help lose weight, the company said. The DVD features two Vinyasa practices, along with a bonus downloadable practice, including a 30-minute Twist and Flow routine, a 60-minute Purify routine a 10-minute Core Energy bonus routine.



It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. It’s that kind of Dickensian double-speak that personifies the tone of the holiday forecasts this year — forecasts that have really been all over the board.