Starbucks' new Blonde Roast coffee debuted nationally on Tuesday, offering consumers a milder brewed coffee option for the first time in the coffeehouse chain's 40-year history. The milder roast offerings include two new flavors: Veranda Blend, described as "mellow and soft," and Willow Blend, which also is available in a decaf version and is described as "bright and clean."

Columbus, Ohio-based chain DSW Inc. plans to open between 35 and 40 stores in 2012, up from an initial plan of 15 to 20 new stores this year. The footwear and accessories retailer also raised its annual earnings guidance. "The expansion of our footprint into new and existing markets is a key growth initiative for us," said Mike MacDonald, president and CEO, DSW Inc. The majority of the new stores are slated to open in the second half of 2012, according to the company.

Urban Outfitters CEO Glen T. Senk resigned on Monday. The company named chairman and co-founder Richard Hayne as his replacement. Senk joined the Philadelphia-based company in 1994 as president of Anthropologie. He became a director in 2004 and CEO in 2007. Senk indicated that he plans to pursue another opportunity, but that he will remain with the company for a period of time to assist management with the transition. He has also resigned from the board of directors.

LeBron James takes a lead role in a new PSA from the U.S. Army and the Ad Council that encourages kids not to drop out of school and also raises awareness about the dropout rate. The ads, created pro bono by Publicis, New York, will appear on TV, radio, outdoor, print and digital in advertising time that is donated by the media. The campaign is also being distributed via dedicated social media sites at Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. James himself was drafted by the NBA out of high school and never attended college.

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In the most car-design friendly international auto show in years, the new Ford Fusion and the Lexus LF-LC took top honors as the best production and best concept cars. The vehicles faced tough competition at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which is packed with stunning concepts and production models. Ballots at the annual Eyes on Design Awards at the show were filled with more than 50 concept and production vehicles, revealed during the two days of media previews.

Minhee Cho is probably the wrong person to do a PR screwup with, as Cho is a PR person herself. After going to a Papa John's she tweeted a photo of her receipt, on which a racial stereotype was applied instead of her name.

Dell will expand the role of SVP/CMO Karen Quintos to include responsibility for the company's public and large enterprise and consumer and small- and medium-sized business marketing teams. The new responsibilities will take effect on Feb. 1 when Dell begins its fiscal year.

National drug store chain is going high end for its flagship in Chicago. The Deerfield, Ill.-based chain will have such things as a sushi bar, a spa, and a 700-bottle wine collection at the 27,350-square-foot flagship store at State and Randolph streets. The two-level, glass-encased store's revamped pharmacy and health clinic are also designed so pharmacists interact directly with customers.

A growing number of grocers are signing up to have the foods they sell evaluated and ranked for nutritional content by third-party ratings companies. Two such companies, NuVal and Guiding Stars, license their scoring systems to more than 3,000 grocery stores nationwide, according to officials at the companies.