Consumer Goods & Shopping

Boston – September 11, 2026 -- Spark Perceptions is preparing to launch EZ-UP Aurora, an automatic combustion device designed for whole cannabis flower and dry herbs, with mass production set to begin in October 2026.

The device keeps flower whole instead of converting it into oil or concentrate

Unlike vape cartridges or pre-rolls that process flower into another format, Aurora is built to preserve the traditional combustion experience -- the aroma, flavor, and visible burn that many consumers value. Users select and load their own flower, and the device automates the surrounding tasks: feeding, controlled burning, and ash collection, all inside a single enclosure.

London – September 11, 2026 -- Johnnie Walker has released a limited-edition design of its Black Label Scotch whisky, created in collaboration with GRAMMY-winning singer Sabrina Carpenter.

The bottle draws its look from Carpenter's album "Man's Best Friend"

The design features a custom "Sabrina blue" color variant and playful dog-paw motifs inspired by the record. It blends Johnnie Walker Black Label's classic style with Carpenter's personal aesthetic, marking the latest step in an ongoing partnership between the whisky brand and the singer.

Carpenter said she enjoys giving her fans small surprises and saw the bottle as a way to bring the world of "Man's Best Friend" to life beyond music. She called putting her own stamp on an iconic object like the Johnnie Walker Black Label bottle a fun challenge.

Giengen an der Brenz – September 10, 2026 -- Steiff is opening its archive to celebrate World Teddy Bear Day on September 9, showcasing rare international collector's pieces that trace more than 120 years of the toy's global appeal.

Five archival bears highlight the toy's worldwide reach

Steiff selected five discontinued collector's pieces to illustrate how different cultures have shaped the design of the teddy bear. The lineup includes the 2005 Carmen bear, inspired by Georges Bizet's opera, and the 2018 Great Escapes New York bear, modeled after the Statue of Liberty.

Also featured are the 2019 Great Escapes Edinburgh bear, dressed in a kilt with traditional Scottish design elements, the 2000 Tomato bear tied to Dutch heritage, and the 2025 Tang Dynasty Prosperous bear, drawing on Chinese imperial history. None of these five pieces remain commercially available.

New York City – September 10, 2026 -- A new guide from Consumer365 details how pet owners can now use same-day delivery apps like DoorDash to restock food, litter, and other bulky pet essentials without a store trip.

DoorDash delivers pet supplies from participating stores in as fast as 30 minutes

The service connects users with more than 100,000 grocery, convenience, and retail stores, and pet care is included alongside categories like beauty, electronics, and household goods. Availability depends on the customer's location and current store inventory, so delivery windows and fees vary by address.

Cologne – September 10, 2026 -- Dyson has unveiled its first hot air styling brush, the Dyson Airsmooth, set to go on sale September 8 for 249 euros (RRP) through Dyson Stores, dyson.de, and select retailers.

The device combines Dyson's airflow technology with a patented dual bristle system designed to dry, smooth, and add volume in a single step, aiming to reduce the mechanical damage, dryness, and breakage common with traditional hot air brushes.

Three bristle types work together to protect hair strands

Anti-Snag bristles use a flexible loop structure to glide through hair and release strands easily, cutting down on tangling. PivotFlex bristles, shaped conically and able to bend up to 90 degrees, direct airflow precisely to reduce frizz and snagging during styling. Anti-Frizz bristles, shaped like a teardrop, stretch curls and smooth lengths while maintaining tension in one motion.

Berlin – September 10, 2026 -- Fitness brand Merach used its IFA Berlin 2026 appearance to launch the UltraWalk W60 Plus walking pad in Europe, alongside a new knee-protection cushioning system called KneeGuard(TM).

The W60 Plus ships September 20 with an early-bird discount

The UltraWalk W60 Plus, flagship of Merach's W60 series, is built for home offices and light indoor training. It goes on sale September 20, 2026 for a recommended retail price of 459.99 euros, with pre-orders available until then at an early-bird price of 379.99 euros through merachfit.de.

The device runs on a brushless motor rated for up to 15,000 hours of use, with noise capped at 53 decibels. Its running surface measures 420 by 1,050 millimeters and supports electric inclines up to 8.75 percent across twelve settings. Extras include an RGB light bar, a 5-watt Bluetooth speaker, and a triple-LED display tracking six metrics.

Chicago – September 10, 2026 -- A new sun care brand is betting that consumers are tired of choosing between chalky mineral sunscreens and products packed with unrecognizable chemicals. Sunsei has launched with a two-product lineup built around just 17 ingredients, all free of synthetic UV filters.

Sunsei uses non-nano zinc oxide instead of chemical UV filters

The brand's formulas center on non-nano zinc oxide combined with plant-derived ingredients including sweet almond oil, green tea extract and shea butter. Sunsei markets the products as 100% mineral-active, paraben-free and free of the white residue often associated with zinc-based sunscreens.

Bellevue, Wash. – September 10, 2026 -- Govee has launched the Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 Pro, a fixed outdoor lighting system that lets homeowners run two independently controlled color layers on a single light strip. The 100-foot version costs $499.99, while the 200-foot version is priced at $799.99, both available now through Govee.com and Amazon.

A single strip now runs two separate color zones at once

The system is built around Govee's proprietary ColorZone Solution, which controls color zones independently within one light unit. Where earlier permanent outdoor lighting only displayed a single layer of color, this version lets users layer distinct tones simultaneously, producing gradients, wall-washing effects, and highlighted architectural details across eaves, facades, and decks.

New York – September 10, 2026 -- A new review from Expert Consumers highlights DoorDash as a same-day option for last-minute birthdays, flowers, and small gifts, as shoppers increasingly turn to local delivery platforms instead of multi-day shipping.

DoorDash connects shoppers to nearby stores instead of a national catalog

Rather than starting with a nationwide product search and waiting on a shipping network, DoorDash lets users enter a recipient's delivery address first to see what nearby florists, bakeries, grocery stores, and beauty retailers can deliver immediately. Product selection varies by address, since availability depends on which local merchants are participating.

RIDGELAND, MISS. – September 10, 2026 -- Families hoping to gift a handcrafted, personalized toy this Christmas should place their orders by early to mid-November, according to a HelloNation article spotlighting custom toy makers in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

Each handcrafted piece requires multiple drying stages that cannot be rushed

Retail Expert Melissa Skelton explains that painting, drying, and sealing are separate stages, each requiring its own completion time. A detailed custom name puzzle can take 2 to 4 weeks to finish because every step must be completed before the next begins. Painted step stools with multiple colors or illustrations need repeated coats, with each layer requiring a full drying cycle.