Consumer and retail news: 10 things you need to know today

Facebook/Matt Corby

This photo prompted the class-action lawsuit against Subway.

1. The best things to buy in March

Many February deals may still be in effect, albeit with smaller selections on goods such as winter apparel, breakfast and snacks, and Valentine's Day chocolate.

2. A photo forced Subway to make a major change to its sandwiches

An Australian customer showed a Subway footlong sub next to a tape measure that indicated the sandwich was only 11 inches long. As part of the settlement agreement, Subway will start requiring franchisees to measure the bread they serve to ensure that footlong subs are 12 inches and 6-inch subs are no less than 6 inches.

3. Dunkin' Donuts is fighting back against Starbucks and McDonald's

Amid falling sales and increased competition, Dunkin' Donuts is revamping its counter and drive-thru menus at its 8,400 U.S. restaurants to emphasize its signature coffee and "all day breakfast" options. It's also taking away combo meal options.

4. Starbucks' new flavor is blowing up on the internet because it reminds people of Harry Potter

Harry Potter fans were quick to call Starbucks' new Smoked Butterscotch drink "butterbeer". In an interview with Bon Appetit in 2002, the author says she imagines butterbeer tastes like "less sickly butterscotch."

5. The Girl Scouts got $5.5 million in free advertising

With an estimated value at $5.5 million, Girl Scouts' free promotion at the Oscars was even more valuable than another recent piece of unpaid advertising: Peyton Manning's Budweiser shout-out after the Super Bowl.

6. Amazon could change your shopping experience with its own retail stores

Amazon has the potential to be an example for traditional retail stores. Amazon is known for trying new things, and it could use its technology and massive amount of user data to come up with a new way of shopping in-store.

7. McDonald's Sweden is testing Happy Meal boxes as virtual reality headsets

Happy Goggles are on its way to 14 restaurants at McDonald's in Sweeden. The VR Happy Meal headsets are part of promotion in the region to push "Sportlov", a recreational holiday, during which many families go skiing, reports Ad Week.

8. A Chick fil A in Georgia is challenging families to put away the cell phones

A Chick fil A in Suwanee, Georgia developed a 'cell phone coop' in which families are encouraged to drop their cell phones in a box so that they can enjoy a meal together, according to FOX 8 Cleveland. If the families go through with it, they earn a free ice cream.

9. Taco Bell is serving a new item in Canada

Taco Bell is introducing 'Cheetos Crunchwrap sliders' to its menu in Canada. It's a smaller-sized Crunchwrap, that combines its crunchwrap with Cheetos jalapeno snacks, sold for $3.00, according to IGN.

10. McDonald's releases new McFlurry flavor

The Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry is coming to McDonald's menus in the UK and Australia, reports Fortune.