Shopko plans to close 39 locations at the end of February. The discount retailer has been hindered by the consumer pullback in brick-and-mortar shopping. Shopko is working with legal counsel Kirkland & Ellis and BRG for restructuring assistance. The company currently operates 363 stores. In 2005, it was purchased by Sun Capital Partners.

Ferrero, parent company of Nutella, is interested in buying Campbell's international business for what could be a $2 billion deal, according to Italian daily Il Sole 24 Ore, which first broke the news. Rather than sell the entire company outright, Campbell Soup announced back in August a plan to divest two businesses — its international operations and refrigerated-foods business, according to the NY Business Journal.

Samsung has unveiled the new Galaxy A8s, its first phone with the company’s Infinity-O edge-to-edge display. It’s also the first Samsung phone without a headphone jack. Apple’s 2016 removal of the jack was contentious, though, and the company was mocked for its explanation for the decision, which VP of worldwide marketing, Phil Schiller, attributed to “courage.”

Foot Locker and Adidas are working with musicians Kid Cudi, Raury and H.E.R. and athletes Patrick Mahomes, Donovan Mitchell and Candace Parker for the launch of Asterisk Collective, described as “a platform empowering creative partners to make a difference in the world through their respective initiatives, positively impacting communities all over the world.”  The effort, which will be supported by a footwear collection from Adidas, includes a dedicated website, digital, social media and point of purchase.

Marriott’s Starwood Hotel Group is dealing with the aftermath of a massive security breach.  Marriott security procedures have been in the global spotlight resulting in various legal and criminal actions taken by authorities against the largest hotel chain in the world -- including the state of Hawaii, which is threatening Marriott Hotels with billions of dollars in fines. “A PR nightmare has been unfolding for Marriott resulting in making the brand speechless in avoiding responses to the media,” according to eTurboNews.

Calvin Klein is planning a new “consumer-centric” marketing strategy that will see the brand shift to a “digital-first, socially amplified model, with video the preferred format," according to WWD. “We will be exiting pure print advertising effective February 2019,” said a Calvin Klein note seen by WWD. All future partnerships will be led by digital content and “we will only consider print pages as a complement to these programs.”  

Walmart plans to acquire the assets of Art.com — the world’s largest online retailer in the wall décor category with two million curated images — including its catalog, IP, trade name, and U.S. operations. Founded in 1998,  Art.com's offerings range from affordable posters to limited edition prints and art pieces. It also offers personalized print-on-demand capabilities.

ESL Investments, the hedge fund run by Sears chairman and CEO Eddie Lampert, submitted a $4.6 billion bid to purchase Sears’ remaining 500 stores as well as Sears brands Kenmore and DieHard. Sears filed for bankruptcy in October. The acquisition would be via a newly-formed company, called Newco, according to Chain Store Age. ESL “envisages significant strategic initiatives and investments in a right-sized network of large format and small retail stores, digital assets and interdependent operating businesses.”

Keith Weed is retiring from his role as chief marketing officer at Unilever. Weed joined Unilever in 1983 and became chief marketing and communications officer in 2010. The news comes in the wake of the appointment of Alan Jope as chief executive of the FMCG giant, replacing the departing Paul Polman, according to Campaign. Jope is president of the company's personal care division.

Mountain Dew is debuting a beverage early next year that is not a soda or an energy drink, but will be placed with the latter in stores. “Game Fuel (not to be confused with the powdered G Fuel), a specially concocted refreshment that Mountain Dew is calling ‘the first drink made by gamers, for gamers.' It’s essentially an evolution of some of the limited edition varieties of the past,” according to Forbes.