General Merchandise

CHICAGO — Global design company Threadless is partnering with Recycled Paper Greetings to bring Threadless' community-driven artwork to national retailers through a new line of greeting cards, which showcase the talents of 61 artists from 18 countries.

LONDON — According to a consumer survey from eDigitalResearch released Friday, online grocery shoppers tend to buy fewer impulse purchases online than in store, resulting in smaller basket sizes.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Reynolds Bakeware on Thursday announced its first disposable pan designed solely for the purpose of cooking bacon in the oven. The new pan makes the cooking process simpler and cleaner, the company said. Reynolds Bakeware Bacon Pan's ridges elevate the bacon strips and small holes inside the pan let hot grease drain into a liner.

CHICAGO — A study published Wednesday on JAMA's website found that diabetes patients taking metformin had a higher risk of all-cause death when insulin was added to their treatment as compared to when sulfonylureas were added to treatment.

DEERFIELD, III.- Market6, a provider of web-based retail analytic applications, on Tuesday announced the introduction of Market6 Vantage, a suite of retail analytic applications that automate and simplify joint business planning and retailer/supplier collaboration. With Vantage retailers and their suppliers can streamline collaboration efforts to build and execute more effective and profitable shopper centric merchandising plans, the company stated.

RACINE, Wis. — Raid, a pest control brand from SC Johnson, is introducing Raid Defense System. The system provides a regimen of solutions and non-chemical tips that, when used together, control and prevent home-invading bugs.

Consumers can use the Raid system creator tool at RaidKillsBugs.com to find a customized regimen of Raid products. The site also allows consumers to: select and compare products; identify the species of insect that's causing the problem; watch how-to videos to help solve pest problems; and take advantage of help from experts.

SEATTLE — Bodystrap announced the launch of a patented, compact strap that will allow consumers to apply sun care, lotion and body wash products to their backs.

Bodystrap has an 80-in. surface area, which allows for a single, quick application and is also hydrophobic. The product retails for $9.99 for a box of 10 straps. The straps can be rinsed and reused numerous times before being thrown away. Bodystrap will launch at Walgreens.com and DrugStore.com, according to the company.

The drug channel could be losing its edge in seasonal sales. GMDC’s recently released “Seasonal Best Practices” report revealed that, according to Nielsen data for the 52 weeks ended Oct. 26, 2013, while drug store seasonal merchandise dollar sales are slightly ahead of supermarkets, the channel’s sales have slipped 16%.

Seasonal dollar sales at the drug channel, according to the report, were down for Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day and Easter, but were slightly ahead for summer seasonal promotions.