General Merchandise

NEW YORK — While the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program helps to keep some 50 million low-income Americans from going hungry, it excludes pet food, forcing many to give up their nonhuman family members. But a new program aims to alleviate the problem.

The Pet Food Stamps Program is a nonprofit group in New York that has a partnership with online pet products retailer PetFlow.com, whereby beneficiaries can receive a monthly home delivery of supplies for free.

WILTON, Conn. — Sun Products, makers of such laundry brands as Wisk and Snuggle, has launched a new All detergent: All Fresh and Sensitive.

NEW YORK — Energizer is set to launch a new portfolio of lighting products this spring, the New York Times "Gadgetwise" blog reported today. The new line is expected to hit Target shelves in late March, followed by other mass merchandisers later on.

NEW YORK — Sun Products' All Mighty Pacs laundry packs, Aquafresh Extreme Clean Pure Breath Action Paste, M&M's Brand Snack Mix, Reckitt Benckiser's Resolve All-Stains, Sun Products' Surf Liquid Laundry Detergent and GlaxoSmithKline's Tums Freshers were among the winners of Product of the Year USA's recently announced top products for 2013, the group said.

The named products were the result of a vote among 50,000 consumers.

NEW YORK — Sears Holdings will add some of its own products and allow customers to pick up products ordered from its flagship store in Chicago on the same day, according to published reports.

CINCINNATI — Nearly two-thirds of Hispanic consumers have discarded garments ruined by bleach or home remedies up to five times per year, according to a new survey by Procter & Gamble's Tide division.

Omnichannel. It's one of the hottest topics in retail. It's seamless retailing in real-time. It's making sure that the brand experience coming out of a retailer is exemplary no matter how a consumer chooses to engage — on the e-commerce site, through an app for the tablet or smartphone, within the brick-and-mortar location or any two of those venues simultaneously.

SEATTLE — Bartell Drugs is collecting donations of teddy bears to give to children in stressful and traumatic situations, the Seattle-based regional retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

Bartell said it would work with local radio statement Warm 106.9 FM in the annual "Teddy Bear Patrol" campaign, which will take place through March 30. The chain's 58 stores will collect donations of $7 "Bartell Bears" or new or gently used bears smaller than 12 in.