General Merchandise

NEW YORK — While sales figures for pharmaceuticals are frequently reported on, drugs for people's four-legged friends also are a money maker.

According to Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, retail sales of pet medications — including sales through retail stores, online retailers and veterinarians — will reach $6.7 billion this year.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In an effort to help community pharmacies to effectively compete in the marketplace, the National Community Pharmacists Association has launched an initiative that is designed to help these retailers create better business opportunities for front-end merchandise.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug's philanthropic arm is launching a food and toy drive for the holidays, the company said Wednesday.

The Kerr Cares for Kids Foundation is placing collection bins at Kerr Drug stores, where customers can purchase and donate toys and food items. After Dec. 21, the items will be donated to local charities.

The drive follows a school supply collection in August and a Thanksgiving food collection in November that helped 90 organizations across North Carolina.

WOODLAND PARK, N.J. — Maxell has introduced a rechargeable lithium ion battery designed to operate in low temperatures, the company said.

With a discharge temperature range of -30 degrees to 60 degrees Celsius and 2300mAh capacity, the cell can operate in various products across various markets, including data capture, mobile computing, portable printing, communications, e-bikes, and gardening tools, Maxell said.

The new introduction follows the July launch of Maxell's zero-mercury, zero-lead silver oxide cell.

NEW YORK — The short-term forecast for cold weather items, including cold medicines, is that demand could be down as much as 15% without Jack Frost biting at everyone’s nose, according to analysis from Deutsche Bank published Monday.

Weather Trends International estimates temperatures will be up 2 to 5 degrees warmer year-over-year, on average, over the balance of the year across the United States.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering two promotional programs to holiday shoppers, the company said Monday.

The first of these is Cyber Week, launched to mark Cyber Monday, an online shopping holiday that is one of the busiest of the year. The chain is offering limited-time deals on items commonly purchased online, such as beauty and personal care items, personalized photo calendars and vitamins, as well as 20% off when customers spend $50 or more. Customers can sign up at RiteAidOnlineStore.com.

LOS ANGELES — A new fitness DVD featuring singer Kelly Rowland and Jeanette Jenkins, founder of the Hollywood Trainer, has made its debut.

"Sexy Abs," which is part of the "Hollywood Trainer Celebrity Series," includes six chapters of abdominals training, giving fans access to Rowland’s workouts that were developed by Jenkins.

"Sexy Abs" carries a suggested retail price of $24.95.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens will reward 1 million customers at its stores nationwide on Thanksgiving Day with a free one-day Redbox DVD rental, the drug store chain announced.

The DVD rental, which will be given to the first 130 customers (not including prescription purchases) at the chain's more than 7,700 locations, will be valid at all Walgreens Redbox locations from Thanksgiving Day through Dec. 24.