You don’t think Amazon is dominant enough in the online-retail world? Well, neither did they, so they are getting into the online grocery-delivery service.

Soap.com, an online retailer of health, cleaning and beauty products that happens to be owned by Amazon's Quidsi division, is getting into the grocery business.

Soap.com is adding “more than 10,000 nonperishable food items — including coffee and tea, cereal and pasta — for purchase on its website,” AP notes. Offering free shipping for orders over $39, all deliveries happen within one or two days of order.

The AP points out that Soap.com is entering an already growing field with Fresh Direct and Peapod already doing battle along with such traditional grocers as Safeway that provide online-ordering opportunities, while “Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced in April that it would test home grocery delivery in San Jose, Calif., with its ‘Walmart To Go’ business.”

New York City is leading U.S. cities, states and national organizations making a commitment to the National Salt Reduction Initiative.

Spurred by the support of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, NYC restaurants and packaged food purveyors are signing up to reduce sodium in food by 20 percent over the next five years.

Concerned by medical research that indicates salt's role in increasing blood pressure and thus the odds of a stroke or heart attack, the public-private partnership with the American Heart Association has garnered a groundswell of support in area restaurants and businesses.Continue reading...

E-grocer Fresh Direct has created an iPhone app especially for New Yorkers. (As if city dwellers needed another reason to stay in their homes for food delivery.) It was designed after executives learned that half of the online grocery store's consumers owned the Apple phone – Blackberry users need not apply.

Available to current Fresh Direct users, the new feature tracks and stores previous purchases made on its website through a company-made database. “We’re using the customer’s own shopping behavior to give them a better experience,” said CEO Rick Braddock.Continue reading...

With the help of Kenneth Cole, Macy's will launch another lower-priced brand. [Crain's]

Online grocery store Fresh Direct created an iPhone app for New York. [WSJ]

Sony, Intel team up for The Rocket Project, designed for students. [BrandFreak]

Not yet saved from bankrupcy, Christian Lacroix continues to create more lines. [NY Mag]

Akoo Jeans' controversial billboard in Newark will be taken down. [Huffington Post]

NBC's new sitcom 'Parenthood' will be exclusively sponsored by Nissan. [Brandweek]Continue reading...

Looking to save Abbey Road, Beatles fans turn to Facebook. [Bloomberg]

Non-Toyota drivers sigh in relief over their lack of drama. [Adweek]

Despite internal struggles, Playboy sees sales increase in the last quarter. [Daily Finance]

Ben & Jerry's plans on creating another Olympic-themed flavor. [Boston Herald]

As the Latin Music Awards approach, brands look for sponsorship. [Brandweek]

Disney tailors toward a gothic consumer for new 'Alice in Wonderland' products. [WSJ]Continue reading...