The National Retail Federation - an association representing some 1.6 million businesses worldwide - said marketing in the Super Bowl will drive record consumer spending to the tune of $77 each, up from $68 last year. Viewers will buy not only food and drinks for Big Game parties, but TVs, sports apparel, footwear and other goods. The NRF said that could add up to $14 billion.

What do supermarkets need to do to embrace Millennials? "Local, community connections and local causes are on trend from the Millennial perspective," said Justin Dye, EVP and COO, East Region, New Albertsons, on a panel at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference in Miami. "On the food side, organic produce, proteins, local products, and local grower tie-ins are important." But, he added, it's also about authentic, real service. And taking care of the needs of the community."

The Stanley Cup playoffs are still months away, but the NHL already has plans for the 2015-16 campaign around the Bridgestone Winter Classic and two matches under the Coors Light Stadium Series banner. It will also reboot the World Cup of Hockey, with six national teams from the U.S., Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic plus and two teams of European and North American players.

If you want to see the really weird things QSRs do with their menus, dig a hole straight through the Earth. You'll come out in the Philippines, where fusion cuisine means anything plus anything. Take KFC's new "Double Down Dog": a hot dog covered with melted cheese and shoved into a piece of fried chicken shaped like a hot dog bun. You know you want it, but the company has not yet announced plans to offer the hot dog in the United States. Please don't.

Sports Authority has tapped Ron Stoupa to be EVP and CMO. The Englewood, Colo.-based chain has 466 locations throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Stoupa comes from a five-year stint at The Pep Boys, where he last served as CMO. Before that he was director of marketing at Bass Pro Shops as director of marketing. Prior to that, he spent six year with ConAgra in a marketing role.

Procter & Gamble reported disappointing results Tuesday after a strong dollar made it more difficult to sell products overseas. The Cincinnati-based company posted a $2.4 billion quarterly profit for the second quarter - a 31% drop from the same period last year. Sales were also down 4% to $20.2 billion for the second quarter.

Pork Belly Banh Mi sandwich, a salad with a charred tomato vinaigrette dressing, and Smart Fit Chicken Noodle soup with kale are new items from Cosi Inc.'s new executive chef Philip Kafka. The QSR chain hopes healthy can turn a profit. Said CEO R.J. Dourney said in a recent interview, "There's a tailwind for fast casual. It's a great time to be in the healthy, better-for-you segment."

For the second year, Turner Sports' on-air crew from the NBA on TNT - Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson - will team with DC icons Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and The Flash. It's part of TNT's multi-platform marketing push to support its broadcast of the NBA All-Star Game. The TV guys and the superheroes will race from Barclays Center to Madison Square Garden.

Starbucks Corp. has appointed Kevin Johnson as president and chief COO, effective March 1. He replaces the company's current COO, Troy Alstead, who will take a sabbatical beginning March 1. Johnson, a Starbucks board member since 2009, served as CEO of Juniper Networks from 2008 through 2013. Prior to that, he served as the president of the Platforms Division at Microsoft Corp.

Because Japan and China aren't on the best of terms, and China loves cars, Toyota could lose its spot as the number-one automaker. Volkswagen continues to dominate there. Japanese makers, in general, have had serious problems making headway in China, especially after tempers flared due a dispute between the two Asian nations over ownership of a chain of strategically placed islands. Toyota reclaimed the top spot globally last year.