General Merchandise

NEW YORK — LightWedge has created a series of e-reader covers for the New York Times Store.

The e-reader covers are adorned with photographs from NYT archives. Three of the new covers, which feature images of the New York City skyline, Statue of Liberty and Flatiron Building, made their debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The New York Times covers by LightWedge will be priced at $49.99 and will be available next month at the New York Times Store online and through several national retailers.

NEW YORK — A new fabric softener from Henkel is sure to revolutionize the laundry category.

Henkel has rolled out its Purex Complete crystals softener, which can be directly added to laundry at the beginning of every wash cycle. Unlike traditional oil-based softeners, this innovative product infuses fibers with long-lasting fragrance. The softener also is 100% safe to use on baby clothes and children’s sleepwear.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Mattel announced that it has appointed Bryan Stockton, Mattel’s president of international, to the new position of COO, effective immediately.

Stockton will report to Robert Eckert, Mattel chairman and CEO.

The company also announced that Neil Friedman, president of Mattel brands, will be leaving the company in March.

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. — Redbox, with the help of Orville Redenbacher's gourmet popping corn, is encouraging Facebook fans to go head-to-head with film critic Richard Roeper to predict this season's movie award winners.

CINCINNATI — The latest made-for-TV movie made for Walmart and Procter & Gamble's Family Movie Night initiative will premiere this weekend on Fox.

"Change of Plans," starring former "American Idol" contestant Brooke White, Joe Flanigan and Phylicia Rashad, will premiere on Jan. 8. The film, which is the fourth installment, builds on the companies' successful initiative that was launched this past year.

NEW YORK — Retailers who stick with proven characters should see the strongest sell-through in the toy category. Charles Riotto, president of the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association, said that, in addition to value, consumers want evergreen licenses to carry the assurance of quality that consumers desire in this economy.


Disney Princesses remained strong and got a boost from the recent release of “Tangled.” 
“Toy Story 3,” “Cars” and “Thomas the Tank Engine” 
are still huge.


LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Pactiv is rolling out a line of compostable paper plates for its Hefty brand.

Hefty Basics are disposable paper plates that have the strength to support almost any meal. The plates are biodegradable in home composting and are microwavable, Pactiv said.

The plates are available at select grocery stores throughout the Northeast region of the United States in 45-count, 8 and 5/8-in. lunch plate packages and 24-count, 10 and 1/4-in. dinner plate packages.

LAS VEGAS — Energizer is unveiling its latest long-lasting power products at the Consumer Electronics Show this week.

Energizer said Wednesday that it will showcase:

• New Energi To Go products, which include various portable power packs;

• Energizer Inductive and Recharge Smart chargers;

• A new line of electronic accessories, including an all-in-one travel adapter and an extended flash case for the iPhone; and