Sales & Marketing

Campbell’s Chunky soup, the official soup sponsor of the NFL, has enlisted Seattle Seahawk Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman as the face of the 2014 “Mama’s Boy” campaign.

Columbus, Ohio -- Chute Gerdeman, a global design consultancy, announced an expanded executive team, including the appointment of Brian Shafley as CEO.

“We are in one of the most productive and innovative periods of Chute Gerdeman’s 25-year history,” said Chute Gerdeman Co-chairman Denny Gerdeman. “With these promotions, we have assembled a highly-talented leadership team that is building on the exciting opportunities at hand.”

CVS Caremark is changing its corporate name to CVS Health to reflect its broader health care commitment and its expertise in driving the innovations needed to shape the future of health.

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- Home furnishings retailer West Elm will open a store in Pittsburgh, on Sept. 4.

Located in Bakery Square, the new store will feature a curated selection of products made in Pennsylvania, part of West Elm’s Local initiative. The initiative, launched this year, taps into local entrepreneurship by empowering the teams in West Elm stores to find area makers and designers, building and nurturing a creative network that celebrates craftspeople and differentiates the brand with regional assortments.

The Family Dollar board is under new pressure to walk away from a deal with Dollar Tree after Dollar General further increased an already more generous counter offer.

Early Monday Dollar General increased its all cash offer to $80 a share from $78.50 a share and increased the number of stores it said it would be willing to divest to 1,500 from 700. The company also said it would be willing to pay Family Dollar a $500 million reverse break-up if the deal failed to secure antitrust clearance.

For the second consecutive quarter, Toys “R” Us has delivered positive comparable store net sales results in its U.S. and international segments.

After several years of market weakness, the company’s international business as whole has begun to rebound, driven primarily by net sales increases in Japan and the U.K. Business in China and Southeast Asia remains strong, as the company continues its expansion in that region.

Washington, D.C. -- Household purchases unexpectedly fell 0.1% in July, after rising 0.4% the prior month, according to figures released by the Commerce Department. It was the first drop in six months. On a more positive note, confidence among households hit a seven-year high in August, according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index.

The Mall at Short Hills (New Jersey) will launch the holidays with its 13th annual “Santa Paws” promotion, as shoppers have pictures taken with Santa--pets in tow. On Nov. 9 and Nov. 16, shoppers will bring their canine companions--in costume, if desired--to the Ice Palace at Grand Court on the lower level of The Mall at Short Hills and have a holiday photo taken.