Only 58% of consumer packaged goods executives view dollar stores as a strategic channel, according to Deloitte’s new "Dollar Store Strategies for National Brands" study.

The National Retail Federation released its 2012 holiday forecast on Tuesday, which shows sales increasing 4.1% to $586.1 billion, down from last year's 5.6% growth.

Acosta Sales & Marketing and Wounded Warrior Project recently announced that more than 100 companies have signed on to support service members through the Wounded Warrior Project Believe in Heroes campaign, with more brands expected to join the campaign in the coming months.

Cirrus Healthcare on Wednesday launched a SpongeBob SquarePants-licensed line of earplugs designed to protect children when swimming, showering and studying, and during loud events.

According to various surveys and articles on the topic, television networks love reality TV. After all, a reality TV show is cheaper — $100,000 to $500,000 per episode, according to some estimates — and simpler to produce than a show with a script, multiple sets and special effects. And to boot, it gets a lot of viewers. But regardless of their benefits to big media companies, reality TV shows also have a habit of influencing culture, which UnitedHealth Group and Comcast hope to use to their advantage.

Oregon Scientific has introduced a new line of Scooby-Doo-themed personal electronics, thanks to a licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

Proactiv, a maker of acne-fighting skin care products, has announced that Naya Rivera, star of the television show “Glee,” is its newest celebrity ambassador.

After announcing the sale of its Pur water purification business to Helen of Troy, Procter & Gamble noted that the sale did not include its water purification technology that enables P&G's corporate philanthropy program to provide clean, drinkable water to countries worldwide.

Ingles Markets recorded key increases in its fourth-quarter and full-year results for fiscal year 2011, which ended Sept. 30, the retailer announced Monday.

Discount retailer Fred's realized positive third-quarter results, thanks to "strong customer traffic, higher gross margins in its general merchandise and pharmacy departments, as well as improved management of controllable operating costs," Fred's CEO Bruce Efird said.

Ultimark Products has tapped actress Jennie Garth to be the new face of its Porcelana line of skin care products, which is sold in such retailers as Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart and Kmart.

Oral care company Sunstar Americas has inked a licensing agreement with film and entertainment company Lucasfilm to launch a new line of manual and power toothbrushes featuring iconic characters and lightsabers from the “Star Wars” film saga and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” television series.