Content about 2nd millennium

December 19, 2011
CVS/pharmacy reaches out to last-minute holiday shoppers

With Christmas less than a week away, CVS Caremark is reminding shoppers that they can find gifts and deals at their local CVS/pharmacy.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — With Christmas less than a week away, CVS Caremark is reminding shoppers that they can find gifts and deals at their local CVS/pharmacy.

December 7, 2011
P&G reaffirms commitment to Children's Safe Drinking Water program

After announcing the sale of its Pur water purification business to Helen of Troy, Procter & Gamble noted that the sale did not include its water purification technology that enables P&G's corporate philanthropy program to provide clean, drinkable water to countries worldwide.

CINCINNATI — After announcing the sale of its Pur water purification business to Helen of Troy, Procter & Gamble noted that the sale did not include its water purification technology that enables P&G's corporate philanthropy program to provide clean, drinkable water to countries worldwide.

December 6, 2011
Target makes up for lackluster comps with last-minute sale

Target may have a chance to bounce back from its anemic 1.8% November comps increase during a period that included strong Black Friday performances for most retailers with its "Almost Last Minute Sale," a new savings event that will offer discounts on items from the most popular gift categories.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target may have a chance to bounce back from its anemic 1.8% November comps increase during a period that included strong Black Friday performances for most retailers with its "Almost Last Minute Sale," a new savings event that will offer discounts on items from the most popular gift categories, including home, apparel and accessories, toys, and electronics.

The three-day sale will take place Dec. 8 through Dec. 10 in stores and at Target.com.

December 5, 2011
Ingles reports positive Q4, full-year results

Ingles Markets recorded key increases in its fourth-quarter and full-year results for fiscal year 2011, which ended Sept. 30, the retailer announced Monday.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Ingles Markets recorded key increases in its fourth-quarter and full-year results for fiscal year 2011, the retailer announced Monday.

For the fourth quarter ended Sept. 30, net sales increased 5.8% to $905.8 million, compared with the year-ago period, while comparable-store sales (excluding gasoline) rose 2.2%, compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.

December 5, 2011
Suppliers’ views on working with Walmart

Optimism, skepticism, confidence and concern were among the range of emotions shared by Walmart suppliers who participated in the second annual Walmart Supplier Survey conducted by Drug Store News’ sister publication Connecting Northwest Arkansas.


Optimism, skepticism, confidence and concern were among the range of emotions shared by Walmart suppliers who participated in the second annual Walmart Supplier Survey conducted by Drug Store News’ sister publication Connecting Northwest Arkansas.


(To view the full results of the Walmart Supplier Survey, click here.)

December 5, 2011
With Grant Pill assuming new responsibilities at CVS, 2011 shapes up to be big year for company

The year 2011 has shaped up to be quite the year for CVS Caremark, with Larry Merlo taking the helm following the retirement of Tom Ryan, longtime CVS/pharmacy executive Mike Bloom resigning and Judy Sansone assuming responsibility for the merchandising organization at CVS/pharmacy.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The year 2011 has shaped up to be quite the year for CVS Caremark, with Larry Merlo taking the helm following the retirement of Tom Ryan, longtime CVS/pharmacy executive Mike Bloom resigning and Judy Sansone assuming responsibility for the merchandising organization at CVS/pharmacy. Well, the year isn't over yet, and Grant Pill — who is regarded as a bright, young merchant — now has responsibility for one of the most critical areas of CVS' business.

November 23, 2011
Not Your Mother's bolstering distribution by 7,500-plus retail outlets

Hair care brand Not Your Mother’s has announced that it is adding more than 7,500 new retail outlets to its distribution in January.

TAMPA, Fla. — Hair care brand Not Your Mother’s has announced that it is adding more than 7,500 new retail outlets to its distribution in January.

November 23, 2011
PLMA: Buying private-label Thanksgiving items could help consumers save nearly 33%

Opting for private-label Thanksgiving staples could help consumers save nearly 33%, according to a new survey conducted by the Private Label Manufacturers Association.

NEW YORK — Opting for private-label Thanksgiving staples could help consumers save nearly 33%, according to a new survey conducted by the Private Label Manufacturers Association.

November 22, 2011
Fred's reports strong Q3 results

Discount retailer Fred's realized positive third-quarter results, thanks to "strong customer traffic, higher gross margins in its general merchandise and pharmacy departments, as well as improved management of controllable operating costs," Fred's CEO Bruce Efird said.

MEMPHIS — Discount retailer Fred's realized positive third-quarter results, thanks to "strong customer traffic, higher gross margins in its general merchandise and pharmacy departments, as well as improved management of controllable operating costs," Fred's CEO Bruce Efird said.

Total sales for the retailer rose 2% to $444.4 million, compared with the year-ago period, while comparable-store sales were flat. Net income increased 16% to $9 million, compared with last year, while earnings per diluted share rose 20% to 24 cents.

November 21, 2011
CVS/pharmacy kicks off annual campaign to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

CVS/pharmacy once again is supporting the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Thanks and Giving campaign, and will offer CVS/pharmacy shoppers more options to support the research.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy once again is supporting the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Thanks and Giving campaign, and will offer CVS/pharmacy shoppers more options to support the research.

This year marks the eighth year for the annual in-store fundraiser. St. Jude is one of the world's leading centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other deadly childhood diseases, and since partnering in 2004, CVS/pharmacy and its customers have raised more than $25 million for the hospital.

November 18, 2011
Safeway raises $1M for wounded warrior project

Safeway announced that its stores raised $1 million for the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that exists to honor and empower military men and women who incurred service-related injuries on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway announced that its stores raised $1 million for the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that exists to honor and empower military men and women who incurred service-related injuries on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

The money was raised during Veteran's Day weekend by all Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick's, Randalls, Genuardi's, Tom Thumb and Carrs stores in the United States

November 16, 2011
Giant Eagle looks to its own for CEO, president positions

Giant Eagle has named Laura Shapira Karet CEO and John Lucot president and COO. Both appointments are effective Jan. 9, 2012.

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle has named Laura Shapira Karet CEO and John Lucot president and COO. Both appointments are effective Jan. 9, 2012.

Karet, 42, is taking over the position from her father David Shapira, who will assume the position of executive chairman of Giant Eagle's board of directors. Shapira has served as CEO since 1980.

November 15, 2011
Family Dollar arrives in California

Family Dollar is expanding into California for the first time with the opening of four new stores in Ontario, Rialto, Riverside and Fontana.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar is expanding into California for the first time with the opening of four new stores in Ontario, Rialto, Riverside and Fontana. The company's aggressive growth plans also include 450 to 500 new stores to be opened in fiscal 2012.

November 14, 2011
Safeway hosts numerous events to honor nation's vets

Safeway dedicated Veterans Day weekend to pay tribute to past and present service members and raise money for an organization that provides programs and outreach to those who were severely injured while serving their country.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway dedicated Veterans Day weekend to pay tribute to past and present service members and raise money for an organization that provides programs and outreach to those who were severely injured while serving their country.

Beginning Veterans Day, Nov.  11 through Nov. 13, all U.S. Safeway stores helped raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project.

November 11, 2011
Pawlenty and ‘who’s who’ of retail pharmacy headline 13th annual Issues Summit

The list of participating companies in the 13th Annual Drug Store News Group Industry Issues conference — which will be held Tuesday, Nov. 29, at the highly prestigious New York Athletic Club — reads like a “who’s who” of pharmacy retailing.

NEW YORK — CVS/pharmacy. Rite Aid. Walgreens. Sam’s Club. Ahold. H-E-B. The Katz Group. Giant Eagle. Good Neighbor. Health Mart. The list of participating companies in the 13th Annual Drug Store News Group Industry Issues conference — which will be held Tuesday, Nov. 29, here at the highly prestigious New York Athletic Club — reads like a “who’s who” of pharmacy retailing.

November 11, 2011
Walgreens breaks down Express Scripts business in 8-K filing

In an 8-K filing earlier this week, Walgreens broke down its Express Scripts business and challenged many assertions that have been made regarding contract negotiations with Express Scripts.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — In an 8-K filing earlier this week, Walgreens broke down its Express Scripts business and challenged many assertions that have been made regarding contract negotiations with Express Scripts. The overarching theme of the filing suggested Express Scripts has little to gain without Walgreens within the pharmacy network fold but much to lose.

November 7, 2011
Kiss My Face names CEO

Kiss My Face, a maker of natural personal care, has named Steve Michaelson as CEO.

GARDINER, N.Y. — Kiss My Face, a maker of natural personal care, has named Steve Michaelson as CEO.

The industry veteran has held high-level leadership positions at a diverse set of retailers, including chief marketing officer at Supervalu, CEO of Internet retailer Fresh Direct and SVP of Wegmans.

November 4, 2011
South of France Natural Body Care launches social media campaign, gains shelf space at mass

South of France Natural Body Care is launching a social media campaign anchored by its new blog, TheSoapDishMagazine.com, which went live Friday.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — South of France Natural Body Care is launching a social media campaign anchored by its new blog, TheSoapDishMagazine.com, which went live Friday.

October 24, 2011
In wake of Bloom departure, CVS recasts key positions

CVS has named Judy Sansone SVP merchandising and has expanded the roles of chief marketing officer Rob Price and EVP internal operations, real estate and supply chain Scott Baker, the company announced Monday.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Less than a month following the departure of former EVP merchandising and supply chain Mike Bloom to lead Family Dollar, it's official — Judy Strauss Sansone will lead CVS’ merchandising team, the company announced Monday, naming the 30-year CVS veteran SVP merchandising.

October 14, 2011
Former CVS Caremark head Tom Ryan joins Advent International's Operating Partner Program

Global private equity firm Advent International has announced that Tom Ryan, former chairman and CEO of CVS Caremark, has joined the firm’s Operating Partner Program. In this role, Ryan will advise and work closely with Advent’s investment professionals to identify opportunities and generate post-investment value at retail and healthcare companies globally.

BOSTON — Global private equity firm Advent International has announced that Tom Ryan, former chairman and CEO of CVS Caremark, has joined the firm’s Operating Partner Program. In this role, Ryan will advise and work closely with Advent’s investment professionals to identify opportunities and generate post-investment value at retail and healthcare companies globally.

October 13, 2011
Safeway sales positive thanks to fuel, loyal shoppers

Sales at Safeway are looking up thanks in large part to fuel gains, but the grocer's loyalty card program is expected to continue driving that sales momentum into next year as the company rolls out its Just for U digital marketing platform and explores health-and-wellness initiatives.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Sales at Safeway are looking up thanks in large part to fuel gains, but the grocer's loyalty card program is expected to continue driving that sales momentum into next year as the company rolls out its Just for U digital marketing platform and explores health-and-wellness initiatives.

October 12, 2011
NEW elects five new board members

The Network of Executive Women has elected five new members at large to its board of directors.

CHICAGO — The Network of Executive Women has elected five new members at large to its board of directors.

New board members are Mike Byron, president of supplier diversity for Supervalu; Sarah Chartrand, SVP diversity, talent management and organizational development for Ahold USA; Marnette Perry, SVP Kroger; Suzanne Sears, VP global market development at Kimberly-Clark; and Karen Stuckey, SVP merchandising and general merchandise manager of the home division for Walmart Stores.

October 11, 2011
Merlo takes the helm

CVS Caremark’s annual meeting of shareholders in May was of special importance as it marked the official retirement of former chairman and CEO Tom Ryan, who left the growing company in the hands of a strong, capable new leader — Larry Merlo.


CVS Caremark’s annual meeting of shareholders in May was of special importance as it marked the official retirement of former chairman and CEO Tom Ryan, who left the growing company in the hands of a strong, capable new leader — Larry Merlo.


“I’m passing [the company over] to a great leader, one whom I respect and who knows this business. Larry will take this company to great heights,” Ryan told shareholders in May.


October 7, 2011
Hormel Health Labs brings new healthcare food products to select Walgreens stores

Diamond Crystal Brands said its Hormel Health Labs brand is introducing its line of healthcare food products to select Walgreens stores.

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Diamond Crystal Brands said its Hormel Health Labs brand is introducing its line of healthcare food products to select Walgreens stores.

Hormel Health Labs products cater to customers that deal with such health conditions as dysphagia (for swallowing difficulty), malnutrition, digestion, muscle maintenance and poor appetite. In line with this, Hormel Health Labs also is introducing such items as Hormel Thick and Easy puree meals for dysphagia, which are shelf-stable meals that microwave in 60 seconds.

October 5, 2011
Walmart Foundation, American Heart Association introduce Simple Cooking with Heart

In an effort to encourage Americans to cook low-cost, heart-healthy meals at home, the charitable arm of Walmart and the American Heart Association have partnered on a new initiative.

DALLAS — In an effort to encourage Americans to cook low-cost, heart-healthy meals at home, the charitable arm of Walmart and the American Heart Association have partnered on a new initiative.

The Simple Cooking with Heart program includes live demonstrations, online how-to videos, tips, recipes and free downloadable "host kits," which encourage people to host in-home parties to practice cooking simple, affordable and healthy meals with family, friends and neighbors, the Walmart Foundation and the American Heart Association said.