General Merchandise

The pervasiveness of Facebook and Twitter has not killed the greeting card and gift wrap category. "Managers are telling us that the category continues to hold its own and, in some cases, is growing nicely," said Mark Deuschle, VP business development and chief marketing officer at the Global Marketing Development Center. "Greeting cards remain not only a top trip driver, but also one of the most profitable categories in the drug store environment," said Sabrina Wiewel, VP of Hallmark's chain drug team.

Numbers can be deceiving in the baby category. While overall category sales are down, the drug channel is seeing nice increases in specific segments within the category. The numbers suggest that drug retailers could be missing an opportunity.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Hot Cherry Pillow has been introduced to consumers seeking therapeutic relief from neck pain, backaches, sore muscles or tired feet. Using real cherry pits inside a fabric cover, the heated pillows provide muscle relief and emit the enticing aroma of cherry pie, according to the company.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — A new system allows members of Sears Holdings' Shop Your Way loyalty program to donate the same way they would give to a wedding registry.

The Charity Gift Registry allows customers to purchase an item and donate it to a child in need in the store, through mobile or online. Items include sports equipment, yard games, puzzles, toys, art supplies and board games. Share Our Strength's No Kind Hungry campaign is the first cause to be supported by the registry. The group aims to end childhood hunger by providing children with healthy food.

NEW YORK — Last month, Schoolies, a line of preschool books and flash cards published by Priddy Books, a division of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, launched into mass, book, specialty and online retailers across the country in time for the back-to-school seson. Now, the company is set to launch nine new titles for spring 2014.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — According to a Walgreens back-to-school survey released Tuesday, parents of school-age children report a significant number are fans of cartoon brands well into high school.

With themed school supplies once again a trend, cartoon character-themed supplies are desired by 22% of high school students, according to the survey. Pop singer-themed supplies are most popular among middle school students at 43%.

BETHEL, Conn. — Duracell has introduced a new battery that it said would provide more power than previous models.

The Procter & Gamble-owned brand announced the launch of Duracell Quantum, which includes a Hi-Density Core and PowerCheck per indicator. The battery is sold in a red and copper color scheme.

SEATTLE — Bartell Drugs is sponsoring a two-week series of events to celebrate the opening of its 61st store, the company said.

The Seattle-based regional chain will open the 11,600-sq.-ft. store on Friday in Seattle's growing South Lake Union neighborhood. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Tuesday. Between Friday and Aug. 16, several vendors will participate in product sampling and demonstrations, highlighted by a 16-seat, peddle-powered "Hydration Station" that will tour the neighborhood with beverage samples.