The high cost of GPS technology - which, in most vehicles still pushes north of $1,000 and can run almost double that in a few models -- has kept sales in check. But Chevrolet's BringGo system, a smartphone-based navigation package that uses the cloud, will cost buyers just $50.

In San Francisco, local eBay users have started receiving beta invites from eBay for an iOS app that will allow shoppers to pick up items from local stores without leaving the house. EBay is offering beta users $15 off their first order and free same-day delivery for their first three. Orders will come with a $5 delivery charge once the freebies are used up, forcing users to weigh the value of their time against the frustrations of local parking.

Samsonite International is acquiring high-end luggage and leather goods firm Hartmann from Clarion Capital Partners for $35 million. "The Hartmann brand is an important addition to our portfolio and gives us the ability to successfully expand our presence in the global luxury luggage section," stated Tim Parker, chairman and CEO, Samsonite.

Heinz has launched a Spotify play button on its Facebook page in the UK. The brand wants its fans to compile summer playlists to build on the association between its sauces and the year's warmest months. Heinz has posted 110 songs on the Heinz Tomato Ketchup Facebook page, with consumers able to vote for the five they would like to keep. The end marketing result will be an "Ultimate Summer" playlist featuring 40 tracks.

The NPD Group's latest ReCount census of commercial restaurant locations finds that numbers of both independent and chain restaurants have risen, the first time since 2009 that both sectors have increased. As of March 31, 2012, the number of independent restaurants stood at 320,194, a net increase of 984 from the Spring 2011 ReCount. Independents had shown a net loss of 1,331 in 2011 and 1,172 in 2010.The count for chain restaurants stood at 272,367 on March 31, or 46% of the total. The number of chain locations increased by 1,888 in the past year.

When it comes to snacks, c-stores are stealing share from other stores. In 2011, c-store growth percentages almost doubled those of other channels. There were a total of 2,597 product introductions in 2011, including 287 crackers; 461 nuts and seeds; 382 potato chips; 357 cereal bars; 114 popcorn products; and 998 other items. The most popular snack time is 2 p.m. Total c-store salty snack sales increased 24% over the last five years. Margins have grown 35%.

Wendy's is continuing its positioning in Japan as a high-end outlet, offering two limited-time offers: the Lobster Surf & Turf Burger and the Premium Caviar & Lobster sandwich. Both sandwiches feature Omar lobster meat imported from Canada, according to Wendy's marketing materials. Each sandwich is priced at U.S. $16.28. Or you can shell out (get it?) U.S. $20.11 for the Garden Sensation salad with lobster and caviar.

Tervis, a maker of plastic insulated cups, celebrates the men who paint their faces and the girls who dress like princesses in its second-ever national advertising campaign. Using the line, "Be a fan. Even when you can't be," the campaign features people living out their fan dreams in unlikely places (like the DMV or the beach). The effort highlights the many different licensing agreements the company has with professional sports teams and colleges, as well as other well-known brands.

Maxfield & Oberton, the maker of the desk toy Buckyballs, is taking to the airwaves to enlist public support against a Consumer Product Safety Commission ruling that the product should be banned. Despite several case in which children required surgery after swallowing the magnetic balls, the company says the ban is unfair and that the ruling will put the company out of business.

In its last Olympic sponsorship, Adidas is enlisting celebrities as diverse as singer Nicki Minaj, designer Jeremy Scott, rapper Big Sean and NBA star Derrick Rose to appear in the latest outing in its "Adidas is all in" effort, touting the company's Adidas Originals line. The new is meant to appeal to Millennials' "own beat" using Minaj's song "Masquerade" as its soundtrack.