News

Campbell Soup Company begins 2014 with two new executives in key roles as it looks to drive sales in Asia and increase marketing effectiveness in the United States following a difficult first quarter.

New York -- The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.8% in November to 98.3 (2004 = 100), following a 0.1% increase in October, and a 1% increase in September.

New York -- Village Tea Distribution Company Inc., in partnership with Village Tea Direct LLC, has launched the company's updated e-commerce platform. The site features a more product-focused interface with consumers.

Columbus, Ohio – Kroger reportedly recent spent $9 million on renovating a store in the Columbus, Ohio, area, and plans to spend another $9.4 million renovating three other stores in the area of its headquarters city. According to the Columbus Dispatch, this spending is part of a larger $330 million the retailer plans to spend on renovations by the end of the current fiscal year.

Purchase, N.Y. – U.S. retail sales reportedly rose 3.5% between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. According to data from MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, sales of holiday-related categories, such as clothing, electronics and luxury goods, rose 2.3%, after rising 0.7% in 2012.

SED International Holdings chairman Sham Gad has assumed the role of CEO at the troubled supply chain management provider and distributor of consumer electronics and small appliances.

Gad fills a role previously held by Mike Hagan who was appointed to the position on an interim basis in October following the resignation of former CEO Robert O’Malley.

Framingham, Mass. – 3-D printing technology is rapidly gaining traction and heading toward mainstream acceptance and usage. According to a new research study from International Data Corporation (IDC), the worldwide 3-D printer market will experience tremendous unit and revenue growth from 2012 to 2017, with compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) of 59% and 29%, respectively.

Dallas – Michaels Stores Inc., which has been privately held since 2006, is planning to launch an IPO in 2014. According to a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), private equity owners Bain Capital Partners and Blackstone Group will retain control of the retailer after the public stock sale.