Sales of soups have dropped 14% since 2008. But New England Soup Shop is looking to build its business with an eco-friendly pouch. Taking a new marketing tack, the company is also sending its products along with competitive brands to food bloggers, suggesting critics do their own comparative taste tastes. Read the whole story...

Manufacturers will ship 44.6 million tablet computers this year, over 2.5 times as many as last year, per estimates from research firm IDC. Read the whole story...

Domestic sales of MillerCoors LLC fell 2.5% during the last quarter. The number-two brewer in the U.S. experienced lower sales of light brands: Miller Lite was down 2% in the third fiscal quarter, and fell 3% for the nine months ending Dec. 31. But Coors Light saw a 1.7% growth for the quarter, though it was flat for the nine-month period. Read the whole story...

Starbucks will let consumers at U.S. company-operated stores use BlackBerry or Apple iPhone or iPod to pay. Customers can use a Starbucks app at some 6,800 company stores and 1,000 Starbucks in U.S. Target Corp. locations. Read the whole story...

Chrysler Group will expand its hybrid portfolio in 2013, according to CEO Sergio Marchionne. The company will also introduce a new engine with nine-speed automatic transmission meant to save fuel. The new powertrain will be available on the sedan that will replace the Dodge Caliber, among other vehicles. Marchionne said Chrysler developed its own hybrid technology.

Analysts say among all Detroit automakers, Chrysler is most in danger if gasoline prices go up, because it lacks hybrid cars, an electric vehicle and new forms of gasoline-saving technologies for traditional engines. Read the whole story...

China President Hu Jintao will likely face pressure today from U.S. companies and President Obama on China trade restrictions favoring the country's domestic businesses. United States businesses want a piece of China's lucrative and growing technology market, but China's government is backing local companies.

Last week, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the U.S. is willing to give China access to American technology and offer more in the way of investment and trade opportunities here -- but only if China opens its own domestic market to American products. Read the whole story...

On the same day Steve Jobs left Apple for medical leave, the company posted $26.74 billion in revenue, beating analyst estimates of $24.38 billion. Read the whole story...