General Merchandise

NEW YORK — Pacific Northwest retailer Bartell Drugs recently used social networking to attract attention to its photo department, according to published reports.

Online news site GeekWire reported that Bartell sponsored a "Free Print Weekend" promotion last week in which people who "liked" the Seattle-based chain's Facebook page received up to 20 free photo prints from its Kodak picture kiosks. Bartell operates 58 stores in the Puget Sound region, the metropolitan area around Seattle.

RACINE, Wis. — Global advertising agencies BBDO and Ogilvy & Mather have been selected to serve the marketing needs of SC Johnson, the company announced Friday.

SC Johnson said that BBDO will support the company's pest control and home storage divisions, while Ogilvy & Mather will support SC Johnson's home fragrance and home cleaning divisions.

Prior to the announcement, advertising agency network Draftfcb served the global marketing needs of SC Johnson.

PERRYSBURG, Ohio — Glass container manufacturer Owens-Illinois announced its acquisition of a single-furnace glass container plant in France.

O-I, which announced its intent to acquire the VDL Co. plant in Vergeze, France, last November, said that purchasing the plant was the result of the company's strategic relationship with Nestlé Waters — the plant is located near Nestlé Waters' Perrier bottling facility, and has a longstanding supply relationship with Nestlé Waters.

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Sharpie has put its brand in the spotlight with its Start with Sharpie back-to-school campaign, a multichannel effort that includes a new product lineup and website makeover.

As part of its campaign, Sharpie will debut print and digital ads and an upcoming YouTube platform. Additionally, Sharpie will run interactive digital display and video ads on other websites, including Alloy, AOL, MTV and Hulu.

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.