General Merchandise

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. A provider of self-service kiosk solutions has inked a definitive agreement to acquire an operator of unattended DVD rental kiosks.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A trusted household cleaner reached a milestone this week.

Bon Ami, which turned 125 years old, said it has relaunched to include an entire line of simple, effective cleaning products, adding such household staples as dish soap, all-purpose cleanser and liquid cleanser, all of which maintain its "green" claim. The packaging of Bon Ami products is 100% post-consumer recycled.

The brand quickly is expanding and now is available in Whole Foods, Price Chopper, Price Less Foods, QFC and other store locations nationwide.

TEWKSBURY, Mass. — A natural pet food brand has been named the official dog food of an upcoming sled dog race.

Eagle Pack said it would sponsor the 2011 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which runs from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. As the official dog food sponsor, Eagle Pack will supply food along the trail, and will dedicate funds to the health and care of the Iditarod dogs.

CLEVELAND American Greetings is bringing laughs on the go with its latest line.

Pocket Talkers offer a whole new take on funny sound cards. The cards feature detachable talking characters that are sure to entertain, American Greetings said. Each "talker" is mounted to the front of the greeting card and is ready to serve up a series of funny audio clips at the push of a button.

Pocket Talkers are available for purchase wherever American Greetings products are sold.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — As the New Year quickly approaches, consumers with weight loss on their minds can look to a simple solution for healthy weight maintenance.

With pre-measured portions subtly etched into its interior, the Measure Up Bowl combines a measuring cup and dining bowl in one. The Measure Up Bowl is made of microwave- and dishwasher-safe porcelain, and is available in two sizes:

PRINCETON, N.J. —Arm & Hammer’s new Double Duty clumping cat litter’s breakthrough formula allows cat owners to address feces and urine odors in the litter box. More than 90% of cat owners said eliminating odor from feces and urine is important to them in a litter product, but most products on the market concentrate only on the pungent ammonia smell of cat urine.

Consumers may be cutting their budgets, but when it comes to toys, there’s always room for a little splurge. Parents are more likely to cave when the toy offers educational value or is a classic.

Traditional toys are a mainstay of the category—particularly in the drug channel, where price points in the toy aisle rarely top $10. “Evergreen, classic games continue to be popular,” said Adrienne Appell, a spokeswoman for the Toy Industry Association. “They are affordable and have appeal across generations, particularly around the holidays.”

CLEVELAND Jokers will be sure to embrace the latest laugh-out-loud card line from American Greetings.

The greeting card company announced its first-ever whoopee-cushion greeting card line, called "It's a Gas!" Each card in the collection is an actual whoopee cushion that can be signed and sent in an accompanying envelope.