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MINNEAPOLIS — Superheroes like Superman, Batman, Green Lantern and others will be showing up at Target stores this summer.

The mass merchandise retailer has signed a deal with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment to introduce Justice League merchandise. Other characters in the comic franchise include Aquaman, Cyborg, The Flash and Wonder Woman. The collection will appear at all Target stores on Sunday and will include products like melamine dinnerware, sand toys and beach towels. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — H. D. Smith on Tuesday announced the establishment of H. D. Smith Specialty Solutions, an organization structured to provide focus and alignment around specialty and traditional brand products, solutions and services. The wholesaler also announced the realignment of select executive leadership positions to best capitalize on the growing needs resulting from recent geographic and service expansions. These expansions include the acquisition of Valley Wholesale Drug in October 2012 and a planned majority ownership investment in Triplefin announced in January 2013.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The New York Metro Division of H. D. Smith Wholesalers on Tuesday announced it has been preparing for the Nor'easter — anticipated to impact the northeastern United States as soon as Wednesday — by following the same emergency preparedness protocols the wholesaler had put into action both before and after Hurricane Sandy. 

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores has named Jocelyn Wong to the position of SVP, chief marketing officer. Wong will report to Michael Bloom, president and COO.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — As of Sept. 1, some 1.2 million Pennsylvanians will be able to go to bed at night secure in the knowledge that their jobs won't be drowned out by some online juggernaut. And by the middle of September, 3.1 million Californians will be able to breathe that same sigh of relief. That's how many retail employees there are across those two states.

WAYNE, Pa. — The Emerson Group has appointed a leader for its newly created consulting group.

The marketing and sales management company said that Diane Manwaring will serve as president of the Emerson Consulting Group, which will offer such services as strategic planning, due diligence, category assessments and feasibility studies to clients.

GALESBURG, Ill. — Local doctor Paul Kinsinger is gaining traction for his Dr. Paul's Piggy Paste product, a cream to improve toenail appearance, according to an article published Monday by the Register-Mail.

WAYNE, Pa. — Emerson Group has expanded its team, the company announced.

Mark Schumacher, an industry veteran that has worked as a retailer HBC category manager, will focus on category and shopper insights for Emerson Group.

Prior to joining Emerson Group, Schumacher was the director of category development at homeopathic manufacturer Boiron.

WAYNE, Pa. — The Emerson Group announced that former Actavis executive Brad Blake has joined the company.

Blake will focus on Actavis, an Emerson client, and its business to continue the current strong relationship between the two companies. Additionally, Blake also will concentrate on other private-label business for Emerson and be responsible for Publix, Winn-Dixie and Dollar Tree.

Brad has been in the consumer packaged goods and over-the-counter business since 1982.