General Merchandise

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred's on Thursday reported a 1% sales decline to $209.9 million for the five-week fiscal month ended Dec. 29. Comparable store sales for the month decreased 4.2% compared with a decline of 0.4% in the same period last year.

SPOKANE, Wash. — Zak Designs is looking to expand its environmental commitment by launching a new line of dinnerware, serveware and kitchen prep items, all made from recycled melamine. The Sprinkles collection uses the same patented process Zak used in its best-selling, upscale Confetti collection, allowing the company to offer the same environmentally friendly products to the mass market.

AUSTIN, Texas — To meet growing consumer demand for healthier choices, Whole Foods Market is introducing Engine 2 Plant-Strong products, a new line of plant-based, minimally processed snacks, breakfast items and pantry staples. Developed in collaboration with Rip Esselstyn, author and founder of The Engine 2 Diet, the products will be available exclusively at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide beginning January 2013.

NEW YORK — Convenience retailer 7-Eleven has jumped on the "fresh" bandwagon, according to a report published last week in the New York Times. And while 7-Eleven has been serving up fresh for more than a decade with its variety of hot dogs and breakfast fare, now the focus is on fresh food items that will fit within a consumer's diet plan, too. 

NEW YORK — Consumers continued to shop online in ever-increasing numbers this holiday season, according to Chase Holiday Pulse, an aggregator of payment processing data from 50 of Chase Paymentech's largest U.S. e-commerce merchants. Pulse results showed YTD year-over-year sales growth of 15.2%.

For the overall holiday season, Oct. 29 through Dec. 25, the Pulse analysis also revealed transaction growth was up 24.3% YoY, while the average ticket price number continued to decline by 7.3% YoY.

CLEVELAND  — American Greetings has announced a new line of children’s birthday cards: The Lost Socks. This new line of cards not only provides a beloved child with a thoughtful and funny greeting, but also gives them a cute and loveable sock puppet as an added birthday gift.

 NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft will introduce more than 40 new products in 2013, the company stated. This is the first comprehensive new products launch since Kraft became an independent public company in October. In keeping with the company's initiative to offer consumers good, better and best choices, Kraft is using its iconic brands and successful new platforms to deliver innovation across multiple categories. While some new products are hitting store shelves now, others debut in early 2013.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Giant-Carlisle has opened its 100th gas station, the supermarket chain said.

Giant-Carlisle, officially known as Giant Food Stores and owned by Ahold, said the gas station opened at a store in Souderton, Pa. The chain offers a loyalty program, Gas Extra Rewards, that provides discounts on gas when people shop at the supermarket's front end and pharmacy.