Unilever Co.

Unilever wants to sell its Soft & Beautiful, TCB and Pro-Line Comb-Thru brands to Strength of Nature. The sale excludes TCB’s business in Africa.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed and it is expected to close in early December.

Leading consumer products company Helen of Troy saw solid growth in all its business segments during the second quarter, which led to record sales of its stable of well known brands, but stagnant profits.
Sales increased 11.1% to $319 million during the quarter ended August 31, but profits were essentially flat at $23.3 million, or 72 cents a share, compared to $23 million, or 72 cents a share. Gross margins declined to 38.6% from 40.7% the prior year while expenses as a percent of sales declined to 29.1% from 30%.

International Dispensing Corporation, a packaging research and development company that specializes and manufactures game-changing innovations for the food and beverage industry, has promoted Tom Shaver to COO.

Boston — Marketing analytics firm Dunnhumby Tuesday announced it has launched Dunnhumby Ventures, an investment firm that will focus on financing retail technology start-ups.  

The company said the new venture will fund startup businesses that are embracing data for innovations along the consumer’s path to purchase. Average initial investments will be $100,000 to $500,000.

Dunnhumby, a leading customer science company, has launched Dunnhumby Ventures, a seed-stage investment fund focusing on innovations in retail technology. 

Dunnhumby Ventures will serve as a support mechanism for innovators, helping to fund startup businesses that are embracing data for innovations along the consumer’s path to purchase. Dunnhumby Ventures will also provide strategic input and mentorship. Average initial investments will range from $100,000 to $500,000.

ZAANDAM, Netherlands — Dutch supermarket-operating company Ahold has appointed Abbe Luersman as the company’s chief human resources officer.

Ahold said that Luersman, who will report to CEO Dick Boer, will assume the new position on Nov. 1. Ahold's U.S. division operates the Stop & Shop, Giant Food Stores of Carlisle, Pa., and Giant Food of Landover, Md., supermarket banners, as well as the Peapod online grocery service.

NEW YORK — The Carlyle Group has appointed former Procter & Gamble executive Susan Arnold as an operating executive in the firm’s Global Consumer & Retail group. Arnold begins her new role at the firm in September. 

As an operating executive, Arnold will provide strategic guidance to Carlyle professionals throughout the investment process, from sourcing to acquisition to exit and advise portfolio company executives on management, operational, branding and growth strategies.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Pinnacle Foods is buying Wish-Bone salad dressings from Unilever for $580 million.

Combined annual sales, which include the liquid and dry-mix salad dressings under the Wish-Bone and Western brands, total approximately $190 million.

"The transaction enhances our ability to offer consumers meal solutions and recipe ideas across our broad portfolio of brands," Pinnacle Foods CEO Bob Gamgort said in a statement.

CAMDEN, N.J. — Campbell Soup Company announced that it is in final and exclusive negotiations for the potential sale of its business in Europe to CVC Capital Partners, a leading global private equity firm. 

PEORIA, Ill. — Kwikee, a leading provider of free product images as well as nutrition and ingredient information, has created an application programming interface for retailers and e-commerce developers that need information for consumer products. 

The Kwikee API will provide companies with a trusted source of accurate product information and images from the thousands of brands who pay for their product content to be represented in Kwikee's database.