General Merchandise

This Christmas, you can watch “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” on Blu-ray. For the first time, the classic animated TV holiday special by has been released on Blu-ray, joining other Warner Home Video holiday titles, including “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” and “The Year Without a Santa Claus,” all with bonus features.

RESTON, Va. — Online marketing campaigns contributed to an in-store sales lift of 21%, according to an analysis of multiple consumer packaged goods online ad campaigns that was released Tuesday by ComScore and DunnhumbyUSA.

According to the report, 5-of-every-6 online campaigns generated a positive sales lift among exposed households. Approximately 70% of campaigns generated a double-digit sales lift, and more than 40% generated lifts of at least 30%.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Eastman Kodak Co. announced that its Kodak Picture Kiosk software will now allow consumers to use images from Facebook to create photo products.

The enhanced Facebook application is the flagship feature of the new Kodak Picture Kiosk software version 5.0 currently being rolled out to retailers worldwide, the company said.

Americans are becoming greener, and eco-friendly products are es­pecially relevant in the greeting card aisle. Victoria Sutton, CEO of All in The Cards, said the company has doubled production of craft recycled products for holiday 2011.

Energizer has expanded its portfolio with its new line of Energizer Universal USB chargers and cables, as well as the addition of the Energizer Single Zone inductive charger to its line of Qi-enabled products launched last year.

Private-label penetration at CVS/pharmacy locations is expected to grow to more than 20% in the next two to three years, and to help drive that growth, the retailer has developed its new Just the Basics line of store-brand products.


Officially launched in February 2011, the brand represents a functional, value-
priced, smart-simplicity positioning. It is comprised of nearly 100 items, and there are plans to expand the line going forward.


OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. — Redbox remains the dominant player in kiosk DVD rentals with an average of 55 million rentals monthly in second quarter 2011. The company, which built its market dominance on $1 rentals, is testing price increases in some markets. Redbox and Foursquare are partnering to allow consumers to use their smartphones to check availability and reserve titles at their nearest kiosk.


Competitor NDR is experimenting with DVD sales as well as rentals from its kiosks, and may expand the concept.

SUPPLIER NEWS — Energizer’s power-on-the-go products made their debut at the IFA Consumer Electronics Global Trade Show in Berlin last month.


The lineup includes the portable charger line’s new design; the SP1001 solar charger; the AP750, which adds extra talk time for almost any micro-USB smartphone; the AP1201 for the iPhone 4, a silicone rubber case with built-in rechargeable battery; and the XP2000K and XP1000K travel kits, which offer all-in-one portable power for the home, car and all points in between.