Retail

Either through specialized expertise in stores, like lululemon and Under Armour, or by ease of access to a wide variety of products, like Amazon, this year's fastest-growing retailers are going beyond function to a more emotional connection as the key to rapid growth.

The next five to seven years will a see slow but steady wave of technology refresh penetrate the DSD market. Early adopters such as PepsiCo, Anheuser-Busch, and Nestl will lead the charge. VDC Research offers tips for DSD operators who must evaluate opportunities for mobile solutions to enhance existing processes or risk being left behind.

The executive joins Mars from Johnson & Johnson where he most recently served as the General Manager-Walmart Global Cross Functional team for the Consumer Products segment.

The Dutch producer of frozen snacks and meal components deploys a TXT solution to integrate its extended value chain.

The acquisition of Associated Brands will significantly strengthen TreeHouse's retail presence in private label dry grocery and will introduce a line of specialty tea products to complement its fast growing single serve coffee business.

After an initial success with a few hundred stations in 2011, Costa Express hatched ambitious plans to grow to 3,000 locations in less than five years and expand into new countries.

In addition to adding two new leaders, Campbell North America Innovation Vice President Darren Serrao has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Innovation and New Business Development.

Henkel selects Datalliance VMI as the next-generation platform for its consumer goods Vendor Managed Inventory program.