Supply Chain

The transaction creates one of the largest packaged food companies in North America, with sales of approximately $18 billion annually. It will also position ConAgra Foods as the largest private label packaged food business in North America, with combined private label sales of approximately $4.5 billion.

Coty Inc. announced the appointment of Marc Rey as president, Coty Prestige U.S., and regional vice president, Coty Prestige, North America, starting Jan. 2, 2013.

Current Nestl Waters North America Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer, Kim Jeffery, plans to step down after 20 years, and 34 years with the company, to assume a non-executive Chairman position.

In advance of the biggest online shopping day of the year, the Consumer Fraud Center issued its annual Cyber Monday Shopping Alert to warn consumers of the growing use by cyber criminals of legitimate web sites such as Amazon Marketplace to sell illegal or counterfeit goods.

Hostess Brands, Inc. has been forced by a Bakers Union strike to shut down all operations and sell all company assets. But with high brand recognition, it's expected that other companies may be interested in keeping products, like Twinkies and Ding Dongs, alive.

A recent Huggies marketing program realized a whopping 56 percent click-through and 55 percent e-mail open rate, which drove 630,000 visitors to Huggies' site. Social referrals amplified the campaign reach by about 700 percent, proving that consumers today seek advice from friends and peers for product insights and deals, before making purchase decisions.

The move may incite a bidding war with Bayer, which offered approximately $1.2 billion in October to acquire the leading provider of branded vitamins, nutrition supplements and nutrition bars in the United States and elsewhere.

The former P&G executive will be responsible for global management of Avon's brand and marketing, including consumer insights, commercial marketing, digital marketing, and product category strategy and execution. She will also have oversight of Avon research & development, new product development and packaging, and the Liz Earle business.