General Merchandise

MIAMI — Top Pair recently introduced Safe-Sit, a disposable paper toilet seat cover that retails for a suggested $1.99 for 10 sheets. The product is packaged in a convenient personal pack that can be carried for on-the-go use. 

Safe-Sit is biodegradable, antiallergic and eco-friendly, the company stated. 

LITTLETON, N.H. — After Bite on Tuesday announced an improvement in its formula, which now uses baking soda to alleviate and soothe bites and stings. The product — which provides relief from mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and other common insects — will be available on retail shelves beginning February 2014. 

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. — eBay Enterprise on Monday announced the availability of a Ship-from-Store solution — what the company is calling a game-changing initiative that retailers can deploy within 99 days to effectively leverage their physical store inventories while gaining advantages in margin and shipping cost. 

Rather than take vacation for Christmas and New Year’s, the editors of DSN worked to compile a list of the top 10 trends that will shake up the business in 2014.

MIAMI LAKES, Fla. — International Vapor Group has launched a new, refillable electronic cigarette system under its flagship South Beach Smoke brand. IVG designed its new AIR personal vaporizer using a new tank system concept so the product fits in the palm of the user’s hand.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — As a brand that got into the business on the ground floor, blu is positioned to continue its role as a major player in the electronic cigarette category. “The electronic cigarette category is seeing a rapid growth in awareness, trial and usage among adult smokers,” said blu eCigs president Jim Raporte. “As consumer awareness and product trial continue to grow, blu eCigs expects to maintain its market leadership position and contribute to the responsible development of the product.”

The electronic cigarette category is booming. Smokers continue to migrate to the devices, and improved technology and lower price points are fueling sales. Manufacturers say that customized tobacco flavors will propel sales going forward.

(For the full category review, including sales data, click here.)

NEW YORK — A New York-based distribution, merchandising and analytics firm has hired a former executive from Rite Aid and Duane Reade.

L&R Distributors announced Wednesday the hiring of Mike Cirilli as VP category management and procurement. L&R distributes more than 30,000 general merchandise, health, beauty and cosmetics products, pointing more than 12,000 points of distribution across the supermarket, drug, independent and mass-merchandise channels.