Content about Canada

May 8, 2012
Research: Canadian researchers discover pathway to developing universal flu vaccines

University of British Columbia researchers may have found a way to develop universal flu vaccines and eliminate the need for seasonal flu vaccinations, university officials announced Tuesday.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — University of British Columbia researchers may have found a way to develop universal flu vaccines and eliminate the need for seasonal flu vaccinations, university officials announced Tuesday.

May 3, 2012
Keurig portfolio to expand with Eight O'Clock Coffee products

A leader in specialty coffee and single-serve brewing systems has partnered with a company known for its whole bean coffee brand in a new multiyear agreement.

WATERBURY, Vt., and MONTVALE, N.J. — A leader in specialty coffee and single-serve brewing systems has partnered with a company known for its whole bean coffee brand in a new multiyear agreement.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters said Eight O'Clock Coffee's namesake brand, as well as Tetley tea and Good Earth tea, will available in K-Cup and Vue packs for Keurig single-cup brewing systems.

May 1, 2012
Sears Holdings offers peek at Q1 earnings

Sears Holdings, the parent company of Kmart, expects to make a profit of between $155 million and $195 million in first quarter 2012, compared with a $165 million loss in first quarter 2011, the company said Tuesday.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings, the parent company of Kmart, expects to make a profit of between $155 million and $195 million in first quarter 2012, compared with a $165 million loss in first quarter 2011, the company said Tuesday.

In a statement released in advance of its annual shareholders meeting Wednesday, Sears Holdings said the profit includes $235 million from the sales of stores in the United States and Canada, which generated $440 million of cash proceeds.

May 1, 2012
SpyRu to make market debut

SpyRu is set to launch this month its new line of high-protein, low-calorie beverages.

CINCINNATI — SpyRu is set to launch this month its new line of high-protein, low-calorie beverages.

April 20, 2012
Jean Coutu Group reduces stake in Rite Aid

The Jean Coutu Group has sold 56 million of its approximately 234.4 million shares in Rite Aid, the company said Friday.

LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- The Jean Coutu Group has sold 56 million of its approximately 234.4 million shares in Rite Aid, the company said Friday.

The Canadian retailing group said the $83.6 million, $1.51-per-share sale, which amounts to a nearly 24% reduction in the number of Rite Aid shares the company owns, would reduce its stake in Camp Hill, Pa.-based Rite Aid to 19.85%. The Jean Coutu group still owns about 178.4 million shares in the 4,667-store chain.

April 17, 2012
Mission, EffRx sign agreement for osteoporosis drug

A U.S. drug maker has made a deal with a Swiss company to manufacture and sell a new osteoporosis treatment in North America.

SAN ANTONIO — A U.S. drug maker has made a deal with a Swiss company to manufacture and sell a new osteoporosis treatment in North America.

Mission Pharmacal announced Tuesday a patent and technology licensing agreement with Freienbach, Switzerland-based EffRx Pharmaceuticals for Binosto (alendronate sodium) effervescent tablets in the United States and Canada. Financial terms were not disclosed.

March 30, 2012
Competition really heating up in Canada

The news that Target has revealed the locations of its first 12 stores in Quebec is just one more reminder that the competition in Canada is really going to heat up.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The news that Target has revealed the locations of its first 12 stores in Quebec is just one more reminder that the competition in Canada is really going to heat up.

(THE NEWS: Target confirms locations of 12 Quebec debut stores. For the full story, click here)

March 29, 2012
Target confirms locations of 12 Quebec debut stores

Target has revealed the locations of its first 12 stores in Quebec.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has revealed the locations of its first 12 stores in Quebec. As previously announced, Target purchased the leasehold interests of 189 sites currently operated by Zellers and plans to open 125 to 135 stores in Canada, the majority of which will open in 2013.

Target said it intends to announce additional Quebec store locations in the coming months.

Target plans to open stores in the following locations in fall 2013:

  • Galeries D'Anjou, Anjou

  • Place Portobello, Brossard

March 20, 2012
L'Oréal Paris, Toronto International Film Festival ink partnership

Beauty brand L'Oréal Paris has signed on as a major sponsor and official beauty partner of the Toronto International Film Festival and will roll out an array of programs designed to provide the ultimate Hollywood Red Carpet beauty experience to festival goers and fashion followers across Canada.

MONTREAL — Beauty brand L'Oréal Paris has signed on as a major sponsor and official beauty partner of the Toronto International Film Festival and will roll out an array of programs designed to provide the ultimate Hollywood Red Carpet beauty experience to festival goers and fashion followers across Canada.

March 5, 2012
Study: Canadians turning to local pharmacies for more health care

Patients in Canada increasingly are tapping into the healthcare knowledge, expertise and services available at their local pharmacy, with many of them talking to their pharmacist about one or more healthcare issues other than filling a prescription, according to the findings of a new Nielsen survey commissioned by the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores.

TORONTO — Patients in Canada increasingly are tapping into the healthcare knowledge, expertise and services available at their local pharmacy, with many of them talking to their pharmacist about one or more healthcare issues other than filling a prescription, according to the findings of a new Nielsen survey commissioned by the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores.

February 16, 2012
Simple for sensitive skin enters U.S. market

Unilever has introduced a U.K. facial skin care brand to the U.S. market with the launch of Simple Sensitive Skin Experts.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever has introduced a U.K. facial skin care brand to the U.S. market with the launch of Simple Sensitive Skin Experts.

The brand’s debut in the United States and Canada is marked by the unveiling of 13 facial skin care items, making it the only mass facial skin care line specifically for those with sensitive skin, Unilever stated.

February 8, 2012
Walmart Canada goes on offensive ahead of Target arrival

Walmart isn’t about to let the grass grow under its feet in Canada.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Walmart isn’t about to let the grass grow under its feet in Canada. The discounter plans to spend about $753 million this fiscal year to expand its store presence in Canada, before rival Target begins its push in the country.

February 3, 2012
Katz Group-McKesson deal sets stage for greater shifts in Canadian market

The move by Katz Group to shed its independent and franchise businesses marks a shift in the Canadian market and likely sets the stage for even more changes north of the border. And while it remains unclear just how the pharmacy retail landscape in Canada will look in the years ahead, what is clear is that the winds of change are blowing, and industry eyes will remain fixed on the Canadian market, perhaps now more than ever.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The move by Katz Group to shed its independent and franchise businesses marks a shift in the Canadian market and likely sets the stage for even more changes north of the border. And while it remains unclear just how the pharmacy retail landscape in Canada will look in the years ahead, what is clear is that the winds of change are blowing, and industry eyes will remain fixed on the Canadian market, perhaps now more than ever.

January 31, 2012
Katz Group to sell independent, franchise businesses to McKesson

In an effort to strengthen its focus on its corporate-owned Rexall and Rexall/Pharma Plus store network, Katz Group Canada has signed a definitive agreement to sell its banner pharmacy business, Drug Trading, and its franchise pharmacy business, Medicine Shoppe Canada, to McKesson for about CAD $920 million in cash.

TORONTO — In an effort to strengthen its focus on its corporate-owned Rexall and Rexall/Pharma Plus store network, Katz Group Canada has signed a definitive agreement to sell its banner pharmacy business, Drug Trading, and its franchise pharmacy business, Medicine Shoppe Canada, to McKesson for about CAD $920 million in cash.

The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of Canadian regulatory clearances, is expected to close in the first half of 2012.

January 31, 2012
Target to use pharmacy franchise model for its stores in Canada

Target on Monday announced it will seek independent pharmacists to own and operate the pharmacies in its stores in Canada.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target on Monday announced it will seek independent pharmacists to own and operate the pharmacies in its stores in Canada.

The chain said it will utilize a pharmacy franchise model for its stores north of the border, the first of which will open in March/April 2013. The strategy is different than in the United States, where Target operates its own in-store pharmacies.

January 30, 2012
Jamieson Labs to expand supplement business into U.S. from Canada

Toronto-based Jamieson Labs will be attempting to parlay its dietary supplement success in the Canadian marketplace into the U.S. market, according to Jamieson executives presenting at the ECRM Vitamin, Diet & Sports Nutrition EPPS conference in Atlanta in January.

ATLANTA — Toronto-based Jamieson Labs will be attempting to parlay its dietary supplement success in the Canadian marketplace — the Jamieson brand was the No. 1 branded supplement in Canada across nine categories through December, the company reported — into the U.S. market, according to Jamieson executives presenting at the ECRM Vitamin, Diet & Sports Nutrition EPPS conference here earlier this month.

January 27, 2012
Target expands list of Canada stores opening next year

Just a few weeks after unveiling the locations of its first 24 stores in Canada, Target released an expanded list of stores that will debut in 2013.

MINNEAPOLIS — Just a few weeks after unveiling the locations of its first 24 stores in Canada, Target released an expanded list of stores that will debut in 2013.

The stores listed included two in Alberta, two in British Columbia, 29 in Ontario and one in Saskatchewan. Additional details can be viewed here.

January 26, 2012
Integrity Health targets 30-something women with Canadian diet aid

Integrity Health Products is bringing a line of diet aids from Canada, specifically targeting women between the ages of 30 and 50 years, to the U.S. market.

ATLANTA — Integrity Health Products is bringing a line of diet aids from Canada, specifically targeting women between the ages of 30 and 50 years, to the U.S. market.

"Most [diet aids] appeal to a younger woman, one who still buys into the 'magic pill' philosophy," the company stated. "We are speaking to the woman who's 'been there, done that' and expects more."

January 17, 2012
Medela launches Calma in the United States

A product exclusively designed for breast-fed babies has made its U.S. debut.

MCHENRY, Ill. — A product exclusively designed for breast-fed babies has made its U.S. debut.

January 17, 2012
Shoppers Drug Mart, RBC launch co-branded national program

Royal Bank of Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart are launching a nationwide program that makes it more convenient for Canadians to bank and earn rewards at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix locations throughout the country.

TORONTO — Royal Bank of Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart are launching a nationwide program that makes it more convenient for Canadians to bank and earn rewards at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix locations throughout the country.

January 16, 2012
Mintel Group names VP beauty, personal care division for U.S., Canada

Mintel Group, a supplier of consumer, product and media intelligence, has named Katie Gross as VP beauty and personal care division for the United States and Canada, based in Chicago.

CHICAGO — Mintel Group, a supplier of consumer, product and media intelligence, has named Katie Gross as VP beauty and personal care division for the United States and Canada, based in Chicago.

This new position will report to Jane Henderson, global president of the beauty and personal care division.

As VP America and Canada, Gross will direct the published and custom business. Her experience includes the beauty industry and consumer research. Gross rejoins Mintel from Toluna, a global online panel company.

January 6, 2012
Oh, Canada! Target unveils first stores up north

Target revealed Thursday the locations of the first 24 Canadian stores.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target revealed Thursday the locations of the first 24 Canadian stores.

Target said the stores will open in March/early April 2013 and will be located in Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto, among others. Additional locations will be announced in the coming months.

December 14, 2011
Nestlé releases nutrition, health, wellness 2011 scorecard

Nestlé on Tuesday released a scorecard on the company's progress in the areas of nutrition, health and wellness in the United States over the course of 2011.

NEW YORK — Nestlé on Tuesday released a scorecard on the company's progress in the areas of nutrition, health and wellness in the United States over the course of 2011.

"[In] the past year, Nestlé has introduced and expanded new NHW initiatives, announced several partnerships with leading industry organizations and launched multiple campaigns to increase nutrition awareness and help combat epidemic rates of obesity," the company stated.

December 14, 2011
Survey: Holiday shoppers plan to spend less; gift cards more popular in United States

A new survey by Angus Reid Public Opinion revealed a number of similarities and differences between the holiday shopping habits of people in North America and the United Kingdom.

NEW YORK — A new survey by Angus Reid Public Opinion revealed a number of similarities and differences between the holiday shopping habits of people in North America and the United Kingdom.

December 9, 2011
Hershey to acquire Brookside Foods

Hershey has set its sights on a privately held confectionery company based in Canada.

HERSHEY, Pa. — Hershey has set its sights on a privately held confectionery company based in Canada.

The chocolate giant said that it has reached an agreement to acquire Brookside Foods, which is based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, which primarily sells its product line in the United States and Canada. Brookside's annual net sales are approximately $85 million Canadian dollars, the companies said.