Content about Arkansas

February 3, 2012
NPD Group to receive, analyze Walmart's point-of-sale information

NPD Group is expanding its portfolio of solution-oriented products and services by acquiring data from Walmart's U.S. stores and website.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. —  NPD Group is expanding its portfolio of solution-oriented products and services by acquiring data from Walmart's U.S. stores and website.

January 31, 2012
J&J recalls one lot of Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort lotion

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Cos. last week voluntarily recalled from retailers one lot of Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort lotion that was distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson Consumer Cos. last week voluntarily recalled from retailers one lot of Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort lotion that was distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.

This is not a consumer level recall and no action is required by consumers, the company stated.

January 24, 2012
Sam's Club expands Simply Right with vitamin line

Sam's Club has expanded its Simply Right brand to include a line of quality and affordable vitamins, the retailer announced.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club has expanded its Simply Right brand to include a line of quality and affordable vitamins, the retailer announced.

Sam's Club said its brand, which replaces its Member's Mark line, features refined packaging and vitamins that are formulated to deliver the same benefits in a smaller pill, making it ideal for members and families who have difficulty swallowing pills, Sam's Club said. The line includes triple strength fish oil, Co Q-10 softgels, glucosamine HCl and vitamin D3.

January 20, 2012
Cornell departs Sam's Club, Brewer becomes CEO

In an unexpected turn of events, Brian Cornell is stepping down as Sam’s Club president and CEO and will be replaced by Rosalind Brewer, who currently serves as president of the Walmart U.S. East business unit.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — In an unexpected turn of events, Brian Cornell is stepping down as Sam’s Club president and CEO and will be replaced by Rosalind Brewer, who currently serves as president of the Walmart U.S. East business unit. The company announced a number of other senior personnel changes as well in advance of the new fiscal year.

In a statement, Walmart said Cornell, 52, recently informed the company that he and his wife would like to move back to the Northeast for family reasons. His departure comes as Sam’s has experienced strong sales growth.

January 9, 2012
Walmart preps for tax season

Walmart announced that it is helping customers prepare for tax season by offering low-cost tax preparation services and free in-store federal form 1040EZ filing. The retailer also will provide $3 and $6 check-cashing services.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it is helping customers prepare for tax season by offering low-cost tax preparation services and free in-store federal form 1040EZ filing. The retailer also will provide $3 and $6 check-cashing services.

"We believe Americans shouldn't have to pay exorbitant prices on their everyday financial needs," almart Financial Services VP Daniel Eckert said. "It's their money and we want to make sure they can cash checks, pay bills and transfer money at a low price."

December 29, 2011
Sam's Club unveils New Year's resolutions-based health screenings program

To help its members keep their New Year's resolutions, including weight loss, eating better and quitting smoking, Sam's Club will offer a variety of free in-club health screenings and smoking-cessation consultations.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — To help its members keep their New Year's resolutions, including weight loss, eating better and quitting smoking, Sam's Club will offer a variety of free in-club health screenings and smoking-cessation consultations.

December 6, 2011
Sam's Club, Salvation Army help deserving families through annual campaign

Sam's Club announced that it is teaming up with the Salvation Army and Off the Field professional football players' wives association for the fifth annual Dream Drive for the Salvation Army.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club announced that it is teaming up with the Salvation Army and Off the Field professional football players' wives association for the fifth annual Dream Drive for the Salvation Army.

Twenty pre-selected families from the Salvation Army Adopt-A-Family program in 10 different cities will receive $1,000 worth of gifts, including food, clothes, personal items and toys from Sam's Club. As part of the Dream Drive campaign, Off the Field representatives will be shopping at their local Sam's Clubs on Dec. 8 to purchase items for these families.

December 5, 2011
Higher healthcare calling motivates

Senior Walmart executives regularly invoke the name of Sam Walton when it serves to reinforce a point regarding the company’s business model or the cultural principles on which Walton is said to have founded the company.

Senior Walmart executives regularly invoke the name of Sam Walton when it serves to reinforce a point regarding the company’s business model or the cultural principles on which Walton is said to have founded the company. Dr. John Agwunobi, president of health and wellness for Walmart U.S., took the practice a step further recently when he participated in a panel presentation with other top executives at a conference put on by the Center for Retailing Excellence at the University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business.


December 5, 2011
Small formats promise easy access

Walmart’s first small-format Express stores have only been open about six months, but strong initial consumer acceptance, coupled with increasingly flexible real estate, points to the near certainty of an eventual rollout.


Walmart’s first small-format Express stores have only been open about six months, but strong initial consumer acceptance, coupled with increasingly flexible real estate, points to the near certainty of an eventual rollout.


The stores range between 10,000 and 15,000 sq. ft., offer about 13,000 products and were developed so Walmart could tap potential growth opportunities in rural and urban markets. Walmart expects to end its current fiscal year in late January 2012 with 11 Walmart Express stores following the opening of the first units in northwest Arkansas.


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.)

November 22, 2011
UnitedHealthcare acquires XLHealth

A UnitedHealth Group company announced its plans to acquire a sponsor of Medicare Advantage health plans in an all-cash transaction.

MINNETONKA, Minn. — A UnitedHealth Group company announced its plans to acquire a sponsor of Medicare Advantage health plans in an all-cash transaction.

November 16, 2011
Sam's Club donates $1 million to help end child hunger

Sam's Club announced that it will donate $1 million to support child hunger programs through Feeding America as part of its Holiday Taste of Sam's Club event, which will be held from Nov. 18 to 20.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club announced that it will donate $1 million to support child hunger programs through Feeding America as part of its Holiday Taste of Sam's Club event, which will be held from Nov. 18 to 20.

November 15, 2011
Walmart turns the comps corner as holidays arrive

Walmart delivered a long-awaited same-store sales increase of 1.3% at its U.S. stores division in the third quarter and pointed to ongoing momentum for the holidays with comps guidance ranging from flat to up 2%.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart delivered a long-awaited same-store sales increase of 1.3% at its U.S. stores division in the third quarter and pointed to ongoing momentum for the holidays with comps guidance ranging from flat to up 2%.

November 14, 2011
Sam's Club reveals Black Friday deals

Sam's Club has revealed 60 featured deals for its annual, members-only Day After Thanksgiving Event (D.A.T.E.).

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club has revealed 60 featured deals for its annual, members-only Day After Thanksgiving Event (D.A.T.E.).

The event will take place at all Sam's Club locations nationwide at 5 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 25.

Members who participate in the event will be able to enjoy complimentary breakfast from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. In addition, shoppers who join Sam's Club or upgrade to Plus Membership while in-club through the weekend will receive a $20 gift card.

November 10, 2011
Walmart officially unveils Black Friday circular online

Walmart on Thursday officially released its Black Friday circular on its website and Facebook page to help families save money this holiday season, and will host shopping events as early as 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart on Thursday officially released its Black Friday circular on its website and Facebook page to help families save money this holiday season, and will host shopping events as early as 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

November 9, 2011
Walmart denies exploring primary care healthcare platform

According to a request for information released Tuesday and reported by Kaiser Health News, Walmart is in the process of piecing together a comprehensive low-cost primary care healthcare platform.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — According to a request for information released Tuesday and reported by Kaiser Health News, Walmart is in the process of piecing together a comprehensive low-cost primary care healthcare platform.

However, Walmart later denied this report in a statement released to the public on Wednesday. "The RFI statement of intent is overwritten and incorrect. We are not building a national, integrated, low-cost primary care healthcare platform," stated John Agwunobi, SVP and president of Walmart U.S. health and wellness.

November 7, 2011
Sam's Club salutes military members with new membership offering

Members of the military can enjoy savings at Sam's Club with the introduction of a new membership offering.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Members of the military can enjoy savings at Sam's Club with the introduction of a new membership offering.

The retailer said that when military personnel — including those active or retired, their spouses and civilian military employees — join or renew as an advantage member or advantage plus member, the company will provide them with a $15 Sam's Club gift card to each primary membership.

Proof of military identification is required and the offer cannot be combined with any other membership offers, Sam's Club noted.

November 2, 2011
Sam's Club enhances holiday shopping experience

Sam's Club announced that it is making it easier for consumers to shop this holiday season with the launch of its holiday shopping site, SamsClub.com/gifts, and an enhanced mobile application that together streamline on-the-go and at-home shopping.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club announced that it is making it easier for consumers to shop this holiday season with the launch of its holiday shopping site, SamsClub.com/gifts, and an enhanced mobile application that together streamline on-the-go and at-home shopping.

November 2, 2011
Walmart lifts veil on Black Friday specials

Walmart is offering customers an early, exclusive preview of its Black Friday specials.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is offering customers an early, exclusive preview of its Black Friday specials.

Customers that sign up at Walmart.com for Walmart's Facebook page will be able to view top assortments across a variety of categories. Walmart also will hold an early holiday sale beginning Nov. 5.

Walmart recently announced it was bringing back its Christmas layaway program.

October 31, 2011
Sam's Club gears up for free digestive health screening

Sam's Club is offering a free digestive health screening this month.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club is offering a free digestive health screening this month.

October 24, 2011
Walmart looks to bring holiday cheer with Christmas price guarantee

Walmart announced that it is helping ensure customers pay the lowest price on holiday gifts with the launch of its Christmas price guarantee.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it is helping ensure customers pay the lowest price on holiday gifts with the launch of its Christmas price guarantee.

Customers who purchase eligible product at Walmart anytime between Nov. 1 and Dec. 25, and then find those same products advertised for less at another store, will receive a Walmart gift card for the difference through Dec. 25.

October 13, 2011
Comps nightmare ending at Walmart

Two years of declining same-store sales at Walmart are poised to end next month when the retailer reports third-quarter results that reflect positive momentum from a wide range of initiatives put in place during the past 12 months, judging from comments made by senior executives during an all-day meeting with analysts on Wednesday.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Two years of declining same-store sales at Walmart are poised to end next month when the retailer reports third-quarter results that reflect positive momentum from a wide range of initiatives put in place during the past 12 months, judging from comments made by senior executives during an all-day meeting with analysts on Wednesday.

October 10, 2011
NCPA names U.S. Compounding CEO independent pharmacist of the year

The National Community Pharmacists Association on Sunday named Eddie Glover, president and CEO of U.S. Compounding in Conway, Ark., the recipient of the 2011 Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year award.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Sunday named Eddie Glover, president and CEO of U.S. Compounding in Conway, Ark., the recipient of the 2011 Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year award.

September 28, 2011
Broader challenges await new Walmart Canada head

In her new role as president and CEO of Walmart Canada, Shelley Broader will be tasked with addressing new competition from Target and other retailers expanding into Canada. Broader, who joined Walmart Canada in 2010 as chief merchandising officer, will assume her new role, effective immediately.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — In her new role as president and CEO of Walmart Canada, Shelley Broader will be tasked with addressing new competition from Target and other retailers expanding into Canada. Broader, who joined Walmart Canada in 2010 as chief merchandising officer, will assume her new role, effective immediately.

Prior to Walmart, Broader held a range of key positions with Michael's and Hannaford Bros., as well as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

September 27, 2011
Castro-Wright retirement opens door for new social commerce leadership

Wal-Mart Stores is in search of a new head of its global e-commerce and global sourcing businesses, now that Eduardo Castro-Wright announced his retirement effective July 1, 2012.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores is in search of a new head of its global e-commerce and global sourcing businesses, now that Eduardo Castro-Wright announced his retirement effective July 1, 2012. Walmart said it intends to name new leadership for these businesses by the end of January, after which Castro-Wright will assist in the transition.