General Merchandise

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble announced on Thursday that second-quarter sales rose 2% as the company works to expand market shares in more parts of the world.

Net sales for the quarter rose 2% to $21.3 billion, driven by 6% volume growth, which was offset partially by unfavorable foreign exchange and mix impacts. Organic sales grew 3%.

Net earnings dropped 28% to $3.3 billion, or $1.11 per diluted share, compared with $4.7 billion, or $1.49 per diluted share, in the year-ago period. Net earnings from continuing operations totaled $1.11 per share, up 10%.

LOS ANGELES — A romantic drama that gives viewers a unique look at Big Pharma comes to Blu-ray and DVD on March 1.

"Love and Other Drugs," starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway, who both received Golden Globe nods for their respective portrayals of a Viagra salesman and his love interest, will be available on Blu-ray for $39.99 and DVD for $29.98.

"Love and Other Drugs" is based on the best-selling memoir by Jamie Reidy, titled "Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman."

NEW YORK — Macy’s and Procter & Gamble have started a promotional campaign to pitch P&G’s Ultra Downy April Fresh fabric softener. What’s unusual is how they’re doing it: by having a comedian sleep at Macy’s store in New York’s Herald Square.

LOS ANGELES — An Academy Award-nominated film recounting one man’s harrowing story of survival will be available on Blu-ray and DVD from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Starring James Franco and directed by Academy Award winner Danny Boyle ("Slumdog Millionaire"), "127 Hours" follows the true story of Aron Ralston, an outdoorsman who gets trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone in the Utah mountains.

"127 Hours" will be available on Blu-ray and DVD for $39.99 and $29.98, respectively, on March 1.

ELMWOOD PARK, N.J. — Marcal has reformulated its Small Steps line, which is made of 100% recycled paper, to make the paper goods better than ever, the company said.

Marcal Small Steps paper towels are stronger when wet, while Marcal Small Steps two-ply bath tissue is softer, the company said. An enhancement to Marcal's facial tissues also will be implemented.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble is boosting its Gain brand with a formula upgrade that locks in the long-lasting scent of Gain.

Gain with FreshLock contains microscopic scent beads that rest throughout fabrics after they have been washed and dried, the company said. FreshLock is a scent technology upgrade made to all Gain laundry detergent and fabric softener products, which provides longer-lasting freshness for laundry, P&G said.

LOS ANGELES — IBISWorld predicted Valentine's Day will boost retail sales in a new report.

The independent market and research firm said that consumers are expected to spend 5.8% more on Valentine’s Day purchases this year than last year, totaling $18.6 billion, or about $125 per person.

Big gains will be seen across all categories, especially in such staples as greeting cards and candy, which are projected to grow 4.9% and 5.1%, respectively.

CINCINNATI — Febreze teamed up with the Dallas-Fort Worth Salvation Army to collect new and gently used sports equipment and athletic gear at the "NFL Experience," an exhibit held at the Dallas Convention Center.

The two will host the first-ever Febreze Game Day Freshness Sports Equipment Drive Jan. 27 to 30, and Feb. 2 to 6. The equipment and gear will be freshened using Febreze products and donated to the North Texas Youth Education Town in Arlington, said Febreze, which is the official air freshener of the National Football League.