General Merchandise

DALLAS — Toilet tissue brand Cottonelle is encouraging consumers to try something new in their bathrooms.

To promote its brand, Cottonelle announced the launch of its "Make the Ultra Switch" sweepstakes. By giving away 90 prizes in 90 days, the company hopes shoppers will seek to purchase Cottonelle's thick toilet paper, the company stated.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Brand Vending has added multipacks to its lineup of Sqwishland collectible animals. The new six- and 12-pack Sqwishlander Surprise Mix collections contain an assortment of regular, rare and ultra-rare squishies. The six-packs sell for $4.99, and 12-packs retail for $9.99.


MINNEAPOLIS — Procter & Gamble's Swiffer products are turning red for Valentine's Day with new limited-edition packaging.

From Feb. 6 to March 16, shoppers at Target will find that Swiffer products — including Swiffer WetJet, Swiffer sweeper starter kit and Swiffer Dusters extender — will be adorned with red packaging. Red also will appear on displays in stores to help Target shoppers find the perfect Swiffer products to suit their floors.

Sales of games and puzzles dipped 6% last year to $1.24 billion, according to the NPD Group, but Adrienne Appell, a spokeswoman for the Toy Industry Association, said that as a category, games have held steady over the past few years.

BETHEL, Conn. — Procter & Gamble’s Duracell brand, in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council, on Monday kicked off a national battery donation program. The Power Those Who Protect Us program is designed to help equip the more than 730,000 volunteer firefighters with supplies they need to help power such firefighting gear as flashlights, breathing apparatuses and emergency personnel locators.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble on Tuesday announced that Robert Steele, vice chairman of global health and well-being, will retire effective Sept. 1.

Steele oversees oral care, feminine care, personal health care, pet care and snacks for P&G.

Between now and September, Steele will serve as vice chairman of healthcare strategy, reporting to P&G chairman, president and CEO Robert McDonald.

CLEVELAND — Highlighting lovable pairs this Valentine's Day, American Greetings has introduced Opening Acts.

Opening Acts is a collection that pairs cards with specially designed envelopes that play a song or sound when opened, offering consumers a fun and unexpected way to show the ones they love how much they care.

American Greetings' Opening Acts line is available at stores nationwide.

LAS VEGAS — A company that develops wireless power technology is bringing that technology to consumer packaging.

At the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Fulton Innovation unveiled eCoupled intelligent wireless power, demonstrating it in a number of applications, including an electric car.