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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.

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

HAMPSHIRE, Ill. — A remedy for odors that lurk in trash cans has entered the market.

Trash Dash, a new item marketed under the BestAir brand, is a sodium bicarbonate-based product that is designed to enhance indoor air quality and add a fresh scent to trash or recycling containers by absorbing odors.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Private-label sales continue to advance in the nonfood pet supplies market, according to a new Packaged Facts report.

"Pet Supplies and Pet Care Products in the U.S.," which tracked mass market sales of nonfood pet supplies, found that sales increased by just 1% during the 52 weeks ended in May, while private-label sales of such products experienced a 15% jump. This strong performance lifted the private-label share of pet supplies by two percentage points to 23%. The private-label share peaks with dog chews, holding at 42% of dollar sales.

As Seen On TV products have become a powerhouse general merchandise category. Products backed witha substantial television advertising move year-round with sell-through rates that industry sources say range from 10% to 30%. Several chains have upsized the space they devote to 
the category.


New products are crucial to the category, and manufacturers keep new items flowing to retail. The pet category, housewares and personal care products have been particularly strong segments within the category.

ATLANTA — Case-Mate has released a portfolio of cases for the new Apple iPhone 5.

As of Sept. 15, California became the eighth state in which Amazon.com will levy sales taxes on purchases made by residents in that state. Pennsylvania joined that group two weeks prior. Add to that the five states that don’t have any sales taxes, and that’s 13 states where national brick-and-click retailers are competing on a level playing field with the pure-play online retail juggernaut. 


Housewares have moved beyond the Christmas selling season at drug stores. The products are becoming a year-round category for the channel as drug chains find ways to tie in kitchen items, tabletop accessories and appliances to key selling seasons.