General Merchandise

ALLEGAN. Mich. — Business for OTC store brands is expected to boom in the coming year, Perrigo chairman and CEO Joseph Papa told analysts discussing the private-label manufacturer's first-quarter results during a conference call Wednesday, even as the growth rate across the entire OTC category slows. "What we are seeing though, is the continued acceleration of store brand as being the reason why we're seeing the growth in our OTC category. For us to have a 9.4% growth in our OTC category, we think is a strong indication," Papa said. 

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart and Sears are offering free shipping for certain online orders as the holiday shopping season approaches.

Sears Holdings, the company that operates the two chains, said customers with orders of $49 or more from Kmart.com, Sears.com and MyGofer.com can receive free shipping. The company cited a recent "Sears Online Holiday Shopping Survey" that found most online shoppers listed shipping costs as their primary frustration with buying gifts online.

TORONTO — Target is supporting up-and-coming Canadian fashion designers through a partnership with the Toronto Fashion Incubator, the company said Tuesday.

Target announced the partnership with the incubator for the annual TFI New Labels fashion-design competition, the winner of which will receive a C$25,000 cash award and will get to have his or her exclusive collection sold in Target stores across Canada in 2014.

SOUTH DEERFIELD, Mass. – The Yankee Candle Co. today announced the launch of its latest limited edition collection — My Favorite Things, inspired by the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein song from the musical "The Sound of Music."

The collection features three new fragrances: Brown Paper Packages, Whiskers on Kittens, and Schnitzel with Noodles. Returning from 2011 are Bright Copper Kettles, Crisp Apple Strudel, and Warm Woolen Mittens.

UNION BEACH, N.J. — In partnership with the American Red Cross, beginning Nov. 6, the P&G Mobile Relief Center will be stationed in Union Beach, N.J., to provide showers, personal care kits, household products — including Bounty, Charmin, Tide and Dawn — and baby products, including Pampers diapers and wipes, to victims of Hurricane Sandy, Procter & Gamble announced Monday. This service will be free to all victims, responders and their families.

BOSTON — November is national moustache month — or Movember — and Gillette has kicked off its eMO’gency Styler Tour, a quest to help men master their most stylish Mo’s (moustaches).

The tour, which stops in New York City on Nov. 1, Chicago on Nov. 16 and Houston on Nov. 20, will provide complimentary curbside fine-tuning and styling services with Gillette’s Fusion ProGlide Styler, a 3-in-1 facial hair-styling tool that trims, shaves and edges.

SUPPLIER NEWS — According to a Nielsen report issued last month, higher consumer confidence levels, increased impulse buying and consumer intent to spend more could all lead to an upside surprise in 2012 holiday spending. Pet care will be one growth sector; Neilsen predicted pet owners will drive 5.9% dollar and 3.1% unit growth. The rest of home care, including cleaning and households products — even holiday wrapping paper — will see modest, price-driven dollar gains and unit sales declines, according to Nielsen.


MILWAUKEE — Tweens can be the star of their very own "Project Runway" with Fashion Angels' two new additions to its line of fashion design and style kits: Project Runway Tapeffiti Fashion Design Challenge and Project Runway Models to the Runway.