General Merchandise

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens announced a series of changes in its merchandising division following a realignment of the group, aimed at “better integrat[ing] with and accelerat[ing] our strategy to become America’s first choice for health and daily living,” Walgreens president of daily living products and solutions Joe Magnacca said late Friday in a statement to Drug Store News.

As a result, Walgreens’ three general merchandise managers and areas of responsibility are:

LOS ANGELES — A new DVD designed to help workout enthusiasts, athletes or rehab patients improve their knee health and prevent injury has entered the market.

"Quickfix Rx: KneeHab" is part of the "Yoga Tune Up" library of fitness DVDs, starring fitness professional Jill Miller. In the DVD, which is divided into four sections, Miller demonstrates moves that open up new ranges of motion and recondition knees.

"Quickfix Rx: KneeHab" is 65 minutes long and carries a suggested retail price of $19.95.

CHICAGO — As many as 71% of consumers earning less than $100,000 per year are planning to trim back their spending this holiday season, according to new research, “Holiday Shopping 2011,” released Tuesday by SymphonyIRI Group.

Candles become a key general merchandise category later in the year — 35% of candle sales in the United States occur during the fourth quarter. Fall decorating, Thanksgiving and holiday gift-giving drive sales, according to a representative from the National Candle Association.

Holiday candle sales have been strong even in a tight economy, since they are a relatively inexpensive indulgence. Traditional cinnamon, berry and evergreen are key scents for the holidays; vanilla is most popular year-round.

KIRKLAND, Wash. — Mobile retail websites have emerged as an indispensible in-store tool for consumers as they shop, according to a new survey conducted by Hipcricket, an Augme Technologies company, that was released Thursday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Reckitt Benckiser has launched a collection of online mini games to boost brand awareness.

NEW YORK — Green laundry brand Seventh Generation has launched a contest whereby entrants can win a trip for two to France, Italy or Vermont.

The Nature Makes Perfect Scents sweepstakes underscores the source of the scents featured in Seventh Generation's cleaning products, particularly, its Natural Dish Liquid products:

• Seventh Generation uses French lavender used in its lavender and floral mint scent dish product;

NEW YORK — FyrFlyz could be the next big kid craze. The new spinning toy on a string from i-Star Entertainment has earned a spot on a number of “Hot Toy” lists, including the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and Dr. Toy Top Ten Toys lists.


With multicolored LED lights that create unique light patterns when the toy is spun, FyrFlyz puts a new twist on the classic children’s spinning toy. Priced at $8.99 and aimed at kids 8 years and older, the toy is poised to be a holiday hit.