General Merchandise

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.

Fancy Feast is giving some lucky cats the first taste of its new Yellowfin Tuna & Shrimp Recipe with Wild Rice in Gravy months before it hits the shelf.

The cat food brand is giving away 17,500 free samples, while supplies last, of the new entrée — inspired by Joan Spector’s winning entry in the 2011 Fancy Feast TasteMakers contest — starting March 13 at noon on Fancy Feast’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/FancyFeast.

ATLANTA — Case-Mate has introduced a new line of iPad cases.

The lineup includes seven new cases that boast modern and fashionable styles with a range of fresh colors, striking prints and bold textures. The cases will range in price from $40 to $90.

"Case-Mate continues to outfit the hottest tablets on the market with eye-catching and stylish cases for all occasions," Case-Mate CEO Shashi Reddy said. "High design and functionality is coupled with protection to create these on-trend cases that complement the new iPad."

Drug stores are cautiously expanding their consumer electronics selections. MP3 players, digital cameras and pre-paid mobile phones are finding a place beside the more traditional mix of handheld tape players and clock radios in the channel.

DALLAS — The National Diaper Bank Network and Kimberly-Clark's Huggies brand have pledged to donate 1 million diapers to the American Red Cross to support the organization's disaster relief efforts in the South and Midwest.

MASON, Ohio — Iams is introducing a new line of pet food that addresses the needs of dogs and cats ages 11 years and older.

New Senior Plus, which will be available in the ProActive Health and Premium Protection formulas, are designed to keep pets healthy, playful and active as they reach the double-digit age bracket.

Rechargeable batteries represent a growth area for retailers. A report from the Freedonia Group indicated that alkaline batteries remain the most prevalent type of primary battery, accounting for more than 70% of demand. Sales of other battery chemistries, most notably primary lithium, are expected to gain traction in the market through 2015.


As the population ages, sales of hearing-aid batteries and primary lithium batteries for implantable medical devices are expected to soar.

RACINE, Wis. — SC Johnson has teamed up with Cornell University's Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise to launch a new product concept.