"Though fashion designers often dabble in home design (Armani, Vera Wang, Ralph Lauren, for instance), it is rare to find a furniture manufacturer delving into the fashion business," blogs Sara Zucker. But that's exactly what Restoration Hardware is doing with a line of two-ply Mongolian cashmere scarves that are hand-woven in India in a 100-year-old, family-owned factory that uses old looms. The Web site is also peddling a line of robes ($239 and $249) and slippers ($59) in coordinating colors. It's all part of the chain's strategy to appeal to a more feminine audience since its …

Coming this week to big-box retailers (Toys 'R Us, Target and K-Mart) and e-commerce (Amazon.com, Diapers.com and Buybuybaby.com ) sites near you: the Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail, which also carries the logo of its manufacturer, Munchkin, Elaine Wong reports. Munchkin developed the product under a licensing agreement with Church & Dwight. The packaged-goods company sees its foray into the baby products category as a way to extend the multiple uses of its baking soda product, according to licensing director, Tammy Talerico. "It's like your baking soda box in the refrigerator, constantly at work," quips Munchkin …

McDonald's commissioned a study of the way its suppliers slaughter chickens after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals launched a "McCruelty" campaign last winter to try to get the chain to use a method used in Europe -- gassing -- that it purports to be more humane than the predominant routine used here. That would be zapping the birds with a jolt of electricity and then cutting their throats. Mike Hughlett reports that McDonald's study, which should be released this week, finds that there is insufficient evidence to conclude that "controlled atmosphere stunning" is a better option …

The dancers in the new Gap holiday ad merrily chant "Go Christmas, go Hanukkah, go Kwanzaa, go solstice," effectively rendering moot the American Family Association's earlier "fatwa" against the brand for "failure to use the word 'Christmas in its advertising to Christmas shoppers,'" Dan Neil reports. AFA had called for a two-month boycott of the brand. But Neil points out that the Gap's 30-second "Go Ho Ho" spot "features a group of insanely athletic dancers leaping and twirling and stomp-cheering around a white log-cabin set. They chant, 'Go Christmas, go Hanukkah, go Kwanzaa, go solstice. …

Scott Anthony was tooling through the traffic in Bangalore when a friend commented that he thought that the Tata Nano -- widely reputed to be the low-cost vehicle that will bring carbon emissions to the masses -- will be a flop. Anthony's first response was knee-jerk: "But look around," he said. "That family will surely flock to an affordable car that projects social status and provides a safe, comfortable ride." He was referring to a family of four hanging onto a scooter zipping though the heavily congested traffic. A light bulb went off even as he was …