General Merchandise

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — The Super Soaker brand has been a huge hit for Hasbro. The toys have been among the hottest summer products on the market, and new upgraded versions will become the next must-have for water play. 


The newest version in the Hasbro water blaster family is the Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm. The Thunderstorm, introduced this spring, is the first battery-powered soaker on the market and fires a continuous stream of water with no pumping required. The firing range can be up to 25 ft. Nerf Thunderstorm requires four AA batteries and retails for $14.99.

RACINE, Wis. — In an effort to reduce waste, SC Johnson has unveiled its latest Windex product that touts 90% less plastic than the traditional 26-oz. trigger bottle.

Offering consumers a greener choice to clean their homes, 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.

NEW YORK — Market share for many environmentally friendly cleaning products has suffered in a tight economy, when consumers are more likely to choose products based on price.


Independent brands, such as Method and Seventh Generation, have held on to their sales. “The consumers for those brands are usually early adopters who have a higher income and are less likely to shop price,” one industry analyst said.


NEW YORK — A new line of Hello Kitty household products are arriving this summer, thanks to a new licensing agreement inked by Sanrio and Vandor.

Through the deal, which is effective immediately, Vandor will produce the collection, which includes such items as eco-friendly shopper totes, as well as ceramic and travel mugs that feature Hello Kitty, a Sanrio brand. The collection will range in price from $2.49 to $9.99.

PETALUMA, Calif. — CamelBak has introduced new reusable bottles that are made of Tritan plastic.

CamelBak's Better Bottle Insulated are designed to keep liquids cool more than twice as long as traditional plastic bottles and reduce condensation with the use of Tritan plastic, CamelBak said. Additionally, the bottles feature a spill-proof Big Bite valve, which provides no-tip sipping and can be flipped shut for easy storage and transport.

LOS ANGELES — Do or Die Fitness has introduced a new line of fitness tools designed to help people with knee, wrist and neck problems modify workout moves.

New Wrist Wedges, Knee Donuts and Neck Circles are designed to provide support, stability and comfort for those that are unable to put weight on these sometimes sensitive areas.

Do or Die Fitness Wrist Wedges and Knee Donuts retail for $19.99 per pair, while the Neck Circle retails for $9.99.

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — This fall, an acclaimed film trilogy is making its Blu-ray debut.

The cinematic franchise "Jurassic Park," which includes the namesake film along with "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" and "Jurassic Park III," will be available Oct. 25 in a limited-edition Blu-ray set.

BOSTON — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ Meet the Market program on Saturday afforded the more than 250 retail buyers in attendance a bit of a preview of what new product ideas and launches will be showcased at the conference.