General Merchandise

NEW YORK — One of the first lessons in life that children learn is that getting sick isn’t fun, and going to the pharmacy isn’t too exciting either. In 2004, pharmacist Charles Tabouchirani decided to change that by opening Cherry’s Pharmacy, a store that specializes in dealing with children.

Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at the NPD Group said that back-to-college has become a big opportunity for retailers, and everybody wants part of the business. Last year, families spent an average of $800 on back-to-college products.


LOS ANGELES — A leader in mosquito repelling solutions now is selling its products worldwide.

For niche brands, getting a foot in the door of mass market retail is no easy feat, and the stakes remain high as retailers have, in recent years, trimmed SKU counts and grown increasingly risk-adverse.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Global Market Development Center will host its 42nd annual General Merchandise Conference in approximately three weeks in Orlando, Fla., the association announced Monday. Running June 1 through June 5, GMDC is expecting more than 900 attendees for the front-end show.

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Cesar is boosting its lineup of canine cuisine to include new bite-sized baked treats.

Cesar Cookie Crunchies, available in filet mignon and rotisserie chicken flavors, are treats shaped as mini bones, paw prints and hearts, and are 10 calories each, the company said.

NEW YORK — New research that will appear in the upcoming issue of the Journal of Marketing Research explores consumer sentiment over the extension of a premium brand outside of its typical category.

CHICAGO — Motherhood influences the way women shop, according to Mintel research.

The research firm found that being a mother influences shopping habits as an increased emphasis is put on the safety, value and nutrition of everyday purchases:

• More than half of moms who only have children younger than 6 years old (51%) said they question how safe things are for their children to eat, use and wear;

• 40% said think about the long-term impact products have on their children;