General Merchandise

NEW YORK — The short-term forecast for cold weather items, including cold medicines, is that demand could be down as much as 15% without Jack Frost biting at everyone’s nose, according to analysis from Deutsche Bank published Monday.

Weather Trends International estimates temperatures will be up 2 to 5 degrees warmer year-over-year, on average, over the balance of the year across the United States.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering two promotional programs to holiday shoppers, the company said Monday.

The first of these is Cyber Week, launched to mark Cyber Monday, an online shopping holiday that is one of the busiest of the year. The chain is offering limited-time deals on items commonly purchased online, such as beauty and personal care items, personalized photo calendars and vitamins, as well as 20% off when customers spend $50 or more. Customers can sign up at RiteAidOnlineStore.com.

LOS ANGELES — A new fitness DVD featuring singer Kelly Rowland and Jeanette Jenkins, founder of the Hollywood Trainer, has made its debut.

"Sexy Abs," which is part of the "Hollywood Trainer Celebrity Series," includes six chapters of abdominals training, giving fans access to Rowland’s workouts that were developed by Jenkins.

"Sexy Abs" carries a suggested retail price of $24.95.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens will reward 1 million customers at its stores nationwide on Thanksgiving Day with a free one-day Redbox DVD rental, the drug store chain announced.

The DVD rental, which will be given to the first 130 customers (not including prescription purchases) at the chain's more than 7,700 locations, will be valid at all Walgreens Redbox locations from Thanksgiving Day through Dec. 24.

NEW YORK — Opting for private-label Thanksgiving staples could help consumers save nearly 33%, according to a new survey conducted by the Private Label Manufacturers Association.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is pushing Black Friday up by a day.

The retail pharmacy chain said Monday that it would offer deals starting on Thanksgiving Day. Black Friday is the name popularly given to the day after Thanksgiving, when retailers across the country offer deep discounts for the holidays, often prompting shoppers to line up at the store doors early in the morning and rush in once they open.

NEW YORK — Columbia Records and 20th Century Fox Television are slated to release the latest edition of "Glee: The Music, Volume 7" on Dec. 6.

The collection, which is available in both in standard and deluxe versions, includes such tracks as Michael Jackson's "Man In The Mirror," Beyonce's "Run The World (Girls)" and Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night."

BETHEL, Conn. — Battery brand Duracell has launched a new program that is designed to help make the holidays a little less stressful for parents and provide a host of cool resources to help them more easily navigate the season.