General Merchandise

PLANO, Texas — Consumer goods sales and marketing services company Crossmark will merge with an affiliate of private equity firm Warburg Pincus, Crossmark said Wednesday.

The company announced a majority investment by the New York-based firm, saying Crossmark's management owners would maintain a significant equity position and continue to actively lead the company and that the investment will allow it to achieve its growth objectives faster than it could do on its own.'

PLANO, Texas — As an extension of Dr Pepper Ten, the soft drink company will launch 10-calorie versions of five of its biggest soda brands, beginning January 2013. Sunkist, 7-Up, Canada Dry, RC Cola and A&W Root Beer are all getting makeovers.

Unlike other artificial sweeteners, the 10-calorie sweetener mix used by Dr Pepper Snapple Group contains enough high-fructose corn syrup to appeal to those consumers who have reservations about the taste of diet drinks, the company said.

WAYNE, N.J. — A new product makes gripping such things as eating utensils, pens and toothbrushes easier for people with arthritis.

Maddak announced the availability of the Universal Built-Up Handle, designed as a "do-it-yourself" product to enlarge the gripping surfaces of common household items.

ODENTON, Md. — M-Edge — a leading designer of tablet, smartphone and e-reader accessories — on Tuesday launched an expanded line of cases for iPhone 5. The new cases are now available at MEdgeStore.com, as well as at nationwide retailers, including Best Buy, Target and Staples.

JACKSON, Wis. — Wisconsin Pharmacal, in an exclusive licensing partnership with the Coleman Co., has introduced unique, individualized first aid tins. Each tin contains commonly used first aid components including bandages, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes and more, and comes packaged in a nostalgic, brushed-metal tin case with an embossed first aid cross adorning the lid.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — A slowdown in retail spending happened after a boost that followed Hurricane Sandy, according to a new report by a division of MasterCard.

MasterCard Advisors released its SpendingPulse report, finding that a three-week recovery in retail spending after Sandy began to slow during the week that ended Dec. 8, while some sectors, like specialty apparel, slipped into negative growth.

PHILADELPHIA — Commuters in Philadelphia who have forgotten to go holiday shopping may want to head to their nearest bus stop.

The shelter of the bus stop across the street from 30th Street Station includes a display from Target that allows passengers to buy gift items by scanning QR codes with their mobile phones.

Found your cell phone cord has slipped behind the desk again as you're trying to recharge your phone before bed? Is this ritual turning into a nightly gymnastics event stretching, reaching, cursing that smug cord lying along the baseboards? Dotz cord and cable management products has the solution: Dotz Cord Catcher.