General Merchandise

CLEVELAND — Reese Pharmaceutical has launched a water-based aerosol that is designed to kill bed bugs.

The new Licide bed bug spray is designed to keep homes free of bed bugs for up to four weeks, the company said. The product is available in a 5-oz. size.

Reese also will produce a private-label version of the Lucide bed bug spray, the company noted, and will distribute the products in retailers nationwide.

DALLAS — Scott Naturals is challenging consumers to use its line of hybrid paper products.

The Kimberly-Clark brand said that through Sept. 30, consumers can log on to ScottBrand.com to pledge to use its bath tissue, paper towels, flushable moist wipes and napkins for four weeks, as well as enter its Take the 4-Week Test Drive sweepstakes for a chance to win a 2011 Ford Fusion hybrid sedan.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart has named the top eight toys for the summer.

The toys on the Hot 8 list all are designed for outdoor use and are made by such brands as Power Wheels, Little Tikes and Fisher Price.

This year's Hot 8 list includes:

• Banzai Splash Blast Lagoon pool;

WAYNE, N.J. — A company that specializes in "As Seen on TV" products has named a new COO.

Ron Boger, who currently serves as EVP of IdeaVillage, will take on the COO role. He will work with company founder Anand Khubani in launching new and innovative products in the mass market.

Boger is credited with bringing such products as SlimShots, Yoshi ceramic knife, Fushigi ball and Criss Angel MindFreak magic kits and tricks under the IdeaVillage banner and into the mass market.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Procter & Gamble announced that it has teamed up with its grocery retail partners to create a mobile application designed to help consumers live and shop more sustainably.

The app, called "My Carbon Footprint," works on iPhone, iPad or Droid devices. It is an interactive, social media-enabled carbon footprint gauge powered by P&G's Future Friendly initiative, P&G reported. It will become available on Earth Day, April 22.

NEW YORK — A line of products developed for pets by Tigi Bed Head will be the exclusive pet grooming, accessories, toys and apparel company for the Backstage Artist Lounge, which provides famous bands with a variety of sample products during their rock tours.

Pet Head, whose products are pH-adjusted and are paraben-, sulfate-, DEA- and cruelty-free, will travel on tour with famous bands by providing a variety of sample products during their tours.

Pet Head's lineup includes such products as Dirty Talk shampoo and So Spoiled conditioning cream rinse for dogs.

CLEVELAND — American Greetings said it is revolutionizing the tradition of blowing out birthday candles into a multisensory experience.

With its new Ready, Set, Blow line of greeting cards, the recipient is prompted to blow on the card upon opening it. A special sensor is then activated, making the festive scene come to life with LED lights, as well as either an exciting birthday song or sound. In each card, a breath of air extinguishes birthday candles, activates horns and lights or recreates a childhood wish on a dandelion, American Greetings said.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble's latest BrandSaver coupon booklet, which will be released next week, will feature entries from P&G Future Friendly's Find Your Footprint student contest.

The contest, which was hosted in conjunction with National Geographic, demonstrated the importance of conserving natural resources, as well as simple steps consumers can take in their homes to improve their own environmental performance.