Sales & Marketing

Supermodel Gisele Bündchen’s flowing mane will be seen a lot in the coming year as Procter & Gamble signed the Brazilian beauty to serve as the worldwide representative for its Pantene hair care brand.

Lebanon, Tenn. — Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc has considered and rejected a recent filing and statement from top shareholder Sardar Biglari demanding that the company commence a sale process. Cracker Barrel has determined that the continued execution of the company’s existing business strategy is currently the proper course of action for the long-term best interests of the company and its shareholders.

An IPO from payment processor Square and the widespread reality of same day delivery are a few of the technology-oriented predictions, offered by Fortune’s San Francisco-based writer JP Mangalindan.

Manchester, Conn. — Bob’s Discount Furniture has signed a definitive agreement to sell a majority stake of its business to Bain Capital for an undisclosed amount. Bob's management team will continue to own a "significant stake" after the deal and will remain involved in operations, according to the company, which has been majority owned by private equity firm KarpReilly/Apax for the past nine years.

A search is underway for a new CEO at Crocs following an investment by private equity firm Blackstone and ongoing sales and profitability challenges which could see the funky footwear maker open fewer stores.

Crocs said John McCarvel planned to retire from his position as Croc’s president, CEO and board member around April 30, 2014 as the company rethinks its approach to growth with increased input from Blackstone representatives who will occupy two board seats.

New York -- Due to the holiday rush and related closings, Chain Store Age has extended the deadline for its 32nd annual Retail Store of the Year Design Competition until Wednesday, January 8, 2014.

More than 20 competition categories are featured, including department stores, supermarkets, discounters, restaurants, convenience stores, specialty stores, service, sustainability and pop-up stores. This year, for the first time, the competition also includes the category of in-store digital innovation.

Glendale, Calif. — DineEquity, Inc., parent company of IHOP Restaurants, has opened the first IHOP restaurant in Saudi Arabia. The restaurant, located in “Le Mall,” is part of a seven-brand restaurant destination in Jeddah, which opened Dec. 14.

Seattle — More than one million customers around the world joined the Amazon Prime membership program in the third week of December. The entire 2013 holiday season was the best ever for Amazon, with more than 36.8 million items ordered worldwide on Cyber Monday, or 426 items per second.