General Merchandise

WASHINGTON — While intentions aren't always equal to results, if the National Retail Federation's predictions are correct, consumers will be shelling out quite a bit of cash this Easter. According to NRF’s Easter spending survey, conducted by BIGinsight, Americans will spend an average of $145.28 on everything from apparel and candy to food and decorations this year, up 11% from $131.04 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $16.8 billion.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Global Market Development Center on Monday announced Party Animal — a manufacturer of flags, banners, collectible toys and knick-knacks featuring licenses from the National Football League, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League and more than 70 colleges and universities — has joined the manufacturer's association.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Air Wick, a Reckitt Benckiser brand, is celebrating its new partnership with the official charity of America's national parks by launching a new fragrance collection.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble is supporting the recent launch of Tide Pods, the brand's three-chamber unit dose laundry detergent, by tapping singer and actor Jencarlos Canela to show Hispanic consumers how the product is unlike any other laundry product on the market.

Tide said Canela will surprise people at laundromats in Miami and Los Angeles to show them how the laundry process can be consistent since measuring dosage is not necessary, the company said. Consumers will have the opportunity to meet Canela on April 3 at a laundromat in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES — Two of USA Network's primetime shows are coming to DVD, thanks to 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — In effort to further its commitment to sustainability, Safeway's private-label Softly bath and facial tissue and Ultra Thirsty paper towels now are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and the Rainforest Alliance.

Safeway's paper products earned the FSC seal by being produced from fiber sourced from suppliers who have been independently certified to follow the strictest standards in sustainable, ethical forestry management and production chain controls.

LOS ANGELES — 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios are bringing a popular sports film to Blu-ray in June.

"Hoosiers," starring Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey and Dennis Hopper, is based on the true story of the Milan High School basketball team and its journey to the state championship. The Blu-ray includes such features as commentary by director David Anspaugh, deleted scenes, "Hoosier History: The Truth Behind the Legend," as well as the original 1954 Indiana high school championship game.

SAN FRANCISCO — Meow Mix has introduced a new line of cat food that combines the flavors of meat and fish.

Meow Mix Tender Centers are dual-textured kibbles that have a crunchy outside and a meaty center, and are available in tuna and white fish flavors, and salmon and white meat chicken flavors. The launch of the product also marks the return of the Meow Mix jingle, which stopped airing 16 years ago.