General Merchandise

SLOUGH, England — Second-quarter net revenue increased to 2.34 billion pounds ($3.83 billion) for Reckitt Benckiser, the company announced in an earnings statement Monday.

The company attributed its increases to growth in developing markets. For the quarter, RB said net revenue increased by 13% and 5% on a like-for-like basis. LFL growth excludes the impact of changes in exchange rates, major acquisitions and disposals, RB noted.


As Seen On TV products have gained valuable shelf space at drug chains, becoming a formidable department instead of just an item-driven business.


Its evolution is thanks to industry leaders Telebrands, Ontel, IdeaVillage (each individually owned by one of three Khubani brothers) and Allstar Products Group. Together they account for a significant portion of sales for the category whose customers are early adopters and seek new, innovative and value-driven products.


AURORA, Colo. — Consumers have found a soft spot for hardwood floor mops as concerns about indoor air quality, rising asthma rates among children and a desire for convenience has swept widespread interest in the fledgling category.


Picking up on the trend is Bona US with its Hardwood Floor Mop Motion ($49.99). Next up, and a likely target for drug chains, is its lower-
priced Bona Hardwood Floor Mop Curve ($29.99). The mop features an on-board reservoir specifically formulated for hardwood floors and cleans hard-to-reach areas, such as under couches and tables.


LITTLETON, N.H. — Retail sales of insecticides and other mosquito-related products are trending upward thanks to an unusually active mosquito season. A wet winter and spring, together with recent heavy flooding throughout much of the middle of the country has resulted in standing pools of water and ideal mosquito breeding conditions. This summer’s high mosquito population has been good news for companies like Tender Corp., the maker of AfterBite, a product that has shown increased sales over the past month.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — PNI Digital Media on Monday announced an agreement with Walgreens to provide and operate an online stationery service for the Chicago-based pharmacy.

The service will allow Walgreens customers to create and customize unique cards, invitations and other printed material, including personalized photobooks and photo calendars, wedding invitations and business cards.

According to reports, the PNI Digital Media Platform reaches more than 14,000 retail locations around the world, 9,000 of which offer a one-hour pickup service.

SUPPLIER NEWS — SC Johnson’s latest Windex product touts 90% less plastic than the traditional 26-oz. trigger bottle. New Windex Mini is a concentrated refill pouch that “saves six times as much plastic waste that goes into a landfill, compared with a traditional bottle,” according to SC Johnson chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson. Windex Mini will be available nationwide in three-packs of “snip ‘n’ pour” pouches.


LOS ANGELES — A new workout DVD from fitness and lifestyle expert Tracey Mallett has hit retail.

New "Booty Barre Plus Abs & Arms" is an 80-minute fitness DVD that combines the toning benefits of yoga, pilates, ballet and dance to strengthen and stretch the body. In this DVD, Mallett shows viewers how to firm, tighten and tone their bodies, as well as streamline their arms and core muscles. Viewers will need a sturdy chair or ballet barre, in addition to a set of 3-lb. to 5-lb. dumbbells to get started.

HACKENSACK, N.J. — Baby care brand Nuk has expanded its line of spill-proof cups that will be sold exclusively at Target under the Gerber Graduates brand.

The company said that its new Grow Frog Grow and Fun-Filled Fireworks cup designs both feature a unique spout structure that encourages a baby's mouth to transform from accommodating an O-shaped nipple to a U-shaped cup, as well as support proper lip placement for drinking from an adult cup.