Consumer Confidential: Pump prices hold steady, Zippo expands its horizons

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Here’s your touch-my-monkey Monday roundup of consumer news from around the Web:

-- With missiles raining down on Libya, you’d think there’d be a sudden explosion in pump prices. But the surprising outlook is: not so much. A gallon of regular now averages $3.54, according to AAA. That’s down almost a penny from the $3.55 reported a week ago. But SoCal drivers are still feeling the pinch. The average hereabouts is $3.97 for a gallon of regular. Oil is still about $100 a barrel, which indicates that we won’t be seeing a break at the pump any time soon. But if things settle down in Libya sooner than later, perhaps oil will head south again, which would bring gas prices down, which would be a good thing indeed.

-- What does a company do when it makes a cool product that’s associated with something decidedly uncool? In the case of Zippo lighters, the Pennsylvania business is moving to get away from its ties to smoking (uncool) and extend its retro-chic cachet to new products, such as watches and clothes (cool). Zippo Manufacturing says it’s looking to expand its retail presence through kiosks and Zippo-brand specialty stores. Company research finds that consumers are open to the idea of Zippo gear that fits the company’s image of being ‘rugged, durable, made in America, iconic.’ I’m thinking the company may have something there. And I can’t wait to add some zip to my wardrobe with a Zippo zip-up hoodie.

-- David Lazarus