Walmart and Target may be struggling with declining traffic, but the popularity of so-called dollar stores is growing. Shopping by the 46.5 million Americans living below the poverty line-that's $24,000 for a family of four--helped boost the annual U.S. market for deep discount stores by 45.7% to $48.2 billion between 2008 and 2013, according to London-based market researcher Euromonitor International. The firm projects the sector to grow to $57 billion in 2018.

In a development that was likely inevitable, Little Caesars, the budget pizza chain, plans to roll out the Soft Pretzel Crust Pepperoni Pizza. The $6 large pizza is a limited-time product that hits stores Sept. 1, but if sales are hot, it could become a permanent menu item, says CEO David Scrivano. The move comes as pretzels have found their way into everything from Wendy's burger buns to Blizzards at Dairy Queen. Also, Sonic rolled out a hot dog with a pretzel bun and Dunkin' Donuts put pretzel bread into its sandwiches.

You are a successful agency executive in the Meat Packing district, so you really have nothing to worry about. Well, it's Friday, so here's some data from Down Under. Spiders. Yes, those. A new study says they appear to grow larger in cities than in the wilderness. And they are also multiplying faster. Now, off to Central Park with blanket and jousting stick.

Six months ago dairy workers at a U.S. farm supplying Nestle were charged with animal cruelty. Now, the world's largest food and beverage company is setting animal welfare standards for its 7,300 worldwide suppliers. Animal rights groups call it the strongest such move by a major food company to date. Nestle is partnering with World Animal Protection to help it define an animal welfare roadmap.

Sears Holdings has extended its string of unprofitable quarters to nine, losing $573 million in its fiscal second quarter. Sears Chairman and CEO Edward Lampert, who also controls the parent of Sears and Kmart, called the results "unacceptable." But he said the company is on course toward a members-oriented retailer where loyal customers receive discounts on merchandise.

Over 640,000 people have spoken up as part of Oxfam's Behind the Brands Campaign over the past 18 months. The campaign urges the 10 biggest food and drink companies to do more on gender inequality, land reform and climate change. Kellogg and General Mills will join Mars, Unilever and Nestl in signing BICEP's Climate Declaration.

Gone are the days when a big chunk of truck sales were to suburban cowboys. Still, Chevrolet is hoping to woo that segment for its Silverado line with the launch of a new series of Rally editions that, it promises, will give the truck a "new attitude." The new Rally packages will be offered across the line for 2015 on the Silverado. And, yes, it's Rally packages, plural.

Heineken's strong suit used to be the Northeast is focusing on the southern tier and Mexico. The company's CEO Jean-Francois Boxmeer said that in the latter case it has seen double-digit growth for its Mexico-market products. The eponymous brand, he conceded, has to be deployed with a regional focus now as the Northeast, its former stronghold, weakens.

Burgers are the No.1 main-course dish on British menus, but their popularity is slipping, researcher Horizons reports. The study says 17% fewer dishes on menus featured burgers in the June 2014. But that's not because the U.K. likes American food less. Hot dogs are on 86% more British menus than they were a year ago. Second is pork ribs, at 15%. Also American names are big: Chicken Louisiana Skins and New Yorker Crunchy Salad at Frankie and Benny's are examples.

Honda is looking to strengthen the bond between young buyers, who like to personalize their cars and its subcompact Fit. The Japanese maker is going to show them what can be done and give them a running look at process via social media. Honda enlisted six groups to produce customized cars for the 2014 SEMA show in Las Vegas. The customerizers will detail their work on Tumblr leading up to the November show.