Center Store

TOLEDO, Ohio — Mark Feldstein and Associates has introduced unique housewares and gifts in time for the holiday season.

• MFA said its Plant Pal moisture meter now is available in a snowman variety. Each meter features a moisture-sensing probe that measures moisture at a plant's root level to help prevent under- or over-watering. The Plant Pal carries a suggested retail price of $11.95;

ST. LOUIS — Energizer Household Lighting has introduced an innovative option for those wanting the ambiance of candles without the worry of open flames: Energizer Flameless Wax Candles.

The Flameless Wax Candles, currently available online and at mass market retailers, feature a realistic flickering LED “flame” and melted edge design at the top of the candle. A three-level timer allows the user to schedule the candle to turn off after four, six or eight hours of use; the candle also can be programmed to turn on at the same time every day.

CHICAGO — Contigo has introduced a new spill-proof water bottle for kids.

The new, BPA-free Striker water bottle is designed for children ages 3 years and older and features an AutoSpout lid, which includes a kid-friendly push-to-drink button for easy one-handed drinking on the go. The bottle also features a specially designed spill-proof valve — the first AutoSpout water bottle with this feature — which helps kids transition from sippy cups without the mess.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The company behind Soap.com has debuted an online shopping destination for natural, organic and sustainable products.

CLEVELAND — A greeting cards company announced that its board of directors has received a nonbinding proposal to go private.

American Greetings confirmed that the board received a letter from CEO Zev Weiss, president and COO Jeffrey Weiss, along with certain other members of the Weiss family and related parties, to acquire all of the outstanding class A and class B common shares of American Greetings not currently owned by the them for $17.18 per share.

WESTAMPTON, N.J. — A line of cord and cable management products is expanding to include a new item.

New Dotz reusable cord straps are designed to bundle together cords without having to use permanent ties. Each Dotz reusable cord strap features a built-in lock to keep bundles secure. The straps allow users to organize and uniquely identify cords by location and length.

Available in packs of five, new Dotz reusable cord straps carry a suggested retail price of $3.99.

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Cesar has launched its Meaty Selects line.

WASHINGTON — The air is getting colder and retailers are already gearing up for the Christmas season, but before they do that, they will have to get through Halloween.

According to a recent NRF consumer spending survey conducted by BIGinsight, Halloween will be a big deal this year, with seven in 10 Americans saying they plan on celebrating the holiday. Consumers are expecting to spend more too; the average person will spend $79.82 on decorations, costumes and candy, up from $72.31 last year, with total Halloween spending expected to reach $8 billion.