General Merchandise

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble's Tide brand is bringing its mobile laundry program to Missouri to provide free laundry services to victims of the recent tornadoes in the area.

Tide's Loads of Hope will arrive in Joplin, Mo., on Thursday and is encouraging residents and workers to drop off their laundry to be washed, dried and folded, free of charge.


The supplier in the greeting card aisle may not be enough to capture consumer interest. While smaller, niche players make up less than 5% of category sales, according to one manufacturer, those companies can offer a point of differentiation to retailers that larger manufacturers can’t provide.


NEW YORK — The world's largest consumer-voted program that recognizes innovation in consumer packaged goods is calling on brands to submit their newest products.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Racing fans at the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina this past Saturday broke a Guinness World Record for most flashlights simultaneously lit.

PHILADELPHIA — Phosphate-free and biodegradable Dropps laundry detergent is getting greener. The premeasured, disposable pack detergent, made by Cot’n Wash, has partnered with TerraCycle to give consumers a zero-waste liquid laundry detergent option.


SUPPLIER NEWS — Ziploc has launched its Versa­Glass products, which are designed to go from the fridge to the microwave or oven — at temperatures of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit — and straight to the dinner table, the company said. The containers also are dishwasher-safe and available in six sizes, ranging from $4.19 to $8.99, or in a variety pack of three containers for $17.99.


CALGARY, Canada — A new fitness DVD featuring Jari Love's "Get Ripped!" workout series has made its debut.

"Get Ripped! Revved to the Max" is an 80-minute fitness DVD that gives users the option to do two 30-minute workout segments of linked, fast-paced sets of compounded exercises or combine them into a 60-minute set.

"Get Ripped! Revved to the Max" is available on JariLove.com for $14.99.

RACINE, Wis. — An insect repellent brand has revamped its product line.

Off! introduced its latest innovation, Off! Deep Woods Dry, which offers comfortable protection in heavily wooded areas. The brand also introduced Off! Botanicals towelettes and lotions, which are made with a plant-based repellent that protects against mosquitoes, black flies, gnats and no-see-ums. What's more, the Off! brand has redesigned its Off! Clip-On mosquito repellent, which now is 25% smaller.