General Merchandise

NEW YORK — An aggressive species of tick normally found in the South has been spreading into northern states as well, posing a risk to people and pets, according to published reports.

CHICAGO — Cat's Pride, manufactured by Oil-Dri Corp. of America, has announced the newest member of its lightweight litter family, Cat's Pride Fresh & Light All Day Odor Control. The new scented, multi-cat scoopable litter is up to 40% lighter and has three times longer-lasting odor control than other leading scoopable clay litters, allowing for less frequent changes, the company stated.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — OTC drug and consumer products maker Reckitt Benckiser is working with a charity group to combat one of the leading causes of death in young children around the world.

RB said Tuesday that it had teamed up with Save the Children to help prevent child deaths from diarrhea. Diarrhea is the second-leading cause of death in children younger than 5 years. This year, RB sponsored its biannual Global Challenge to raise money for a children's health product in Indonesia.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Walmart displayed a powerful commitment to revitalizing U.S. manufacturing in front of roughly 1,500 supplier company representatives, government and economic development officials, dozens of senior merchants and the company's top executives as they convened Thursday for its first-ever domestic sourcing summit at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

AMARILLO, Texas — Merrick Pet Care announced today a new line of cat food and a new marketing campaign behind a fictional, "acclaimed" food critic, W. "Mittens" Bloomfield.

MUSKEGON, Mich. — EarthTronics announced this week PAR20, PAR30 and PAR38 EarthBulb LED floodlights, which offer more than 80% savings compared with standard floodlights, the company stated. EarthTronics dimming technology provides smooth dimming to less than 5% on standard controls.

SPOKANE, Wash. — Zak Designs is helping to bring the magic of Disney's "Sophia the First," a popular kids' TV show, to every meal with a new line of dinnerware and drinkware.

NEW YORK — The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index remained flat in July, but a recent survey showed shoppers have a positive, although still tentative, outlook on the economy for the back-to-school shopping season.