Content about Chicago

January 30, 2013

The winner of a contest sponsored by the Quaker Oats Co. will appear with an NFL rookie quarterback in an event sponsored by the company to promote healthy living.

CHICAGO — The winner of a contest sponsored by the Quaker Oats Co. will appear with an NFL rookie quarterback in an event sponsored by the company to promote healthy living.

Quaker, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, said 10-year-old Hunter Paulin would join the Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck at the Kids Day at NFL Experience Driven by GMC, where Luck will introduce him to kids from the New Orleans area during a Quaker Oatmeal breakfast event before they run football drills. Luck and Paulin will encourage kids to eat healthy, stay active and serve as role models for healthy living.

January 24, 2013

In the height of the one of the worst flu seasons in recent years, Kleenex is hand-delivering care packs to unsuspecting fans all across North America. Three fans will receive what could be the surprise of a lifetime.

DALLAS — In the height of the one of the worst flu seasons in recent years, Kleenex is hand-delivering care packs to unsuspecting fans all across North America. Three fans will receive what could be the surprise of a lifetime.

 

January 24, 2013

One-in-5 consumers between the ages of 35 years and 54 years are choosing products due to a loyalty card discount, SymphonyIRI Group reported Wednesday as part of its fourth quarter 2012 MarketPulse survey.

CHICAGO — One-in-5 consumers between the ages of 35 years and 54 years are choosing products due to a loyalty card discount, SymphonyIRI Group reported Wednesday as part of its fourth quarter 2012 MarketPulse survey. And almost one-third are forsaking their preferred brands due to a sale price. The survey found that shopper sentiment dropped to its lowest point since Q3 2011.

January 23, 2013

Growth in 2013 will be slow-going in the first half of 2013 but will pick up at the end, suggested James Russo, SVP global consumer insights for Nielsen, during a webinar Wednesday afternoon.

CHICAGO — Growth in 2013 will be slow-going in the first half of 2013 but will pick up at the end, suggested James Russo, SVP global consumer insights for Nielsen, during a webinar Wednesday afternoon. "The consumer remains in maintenance mode," he said. "Consumers are being pragmatic in their spending. Uncertainty dominates."

January 21, 2013

Glenn Kraiss, retired EVP store operations for Walgreens, died Jan. 18 at age 79. His career with Walgreens spanned 50 years to his retirement in 1999.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Glenn Kraiss, retired EVP store operations for Walgreens, died Jan. 18 at age 79. His career with Walgreens spanned 50 years to his retirement in 1999.  

“Glenn was instrumental to Walgreens' success during a period of terrific growth for the company," stated Greg Wasson, Walgreens president and CEO. "During his 50-year career, he was a friend to coworkers around the country, a true leader for our store operations division and a mentor to more Walgreens folks than he may have realized.”

January 18, 2013

United Airlines on Friday announced the opening of the airline’s new employee health clinic at O’Hare International Airport. The clinic, managed by Walgreens, will serve a broad scope of employees’ health needs.

CHICAGO — United Airlines on Friday announced the opening of the airline’s new employee health clinic at O’Hare International Airport. The clinic, managed by Walgreens, will serve a broad scope of employees’ health needs, such as urgent care for routine illness, travel and other immunizations including flu shots, prepackaged medications, job-related physical training and pre-employment physicals, at no cost to employees. 

January 15, 2013

Lifes2good Natural Healthcare recently announced the introduction of a pair of new hair growth supplements: Viviscal Extra Strength and Viviscal Man.

CHICAGO — Lifes2good Natural Healthcare recently announced the introduction of a pair of new hair growth supplements: Viviscal Extra Strength and Viviscal Man. 

The new extra-strength formulation contains 50% more of the active ingredient AminoMar, a proprietary blend of ingredients and proteins said to promote existing hair growth. It also contains new ingredients biotin, iron and zinc.  

January 14, 2013

The worst of the flu season may be over, at least for those on the East Coast. In a late morning press conference with reporters on Friday, Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said, "We are seeing a decrease in some regions."

Just don't tell that to anyone living in New York or Boston or Chicago, at least not before slipping on a facemask first.

ATLANTA — The worst of the flu season may be over, at least for those on the East Coast. In a late morning press conference with reporters on Friday, Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said, "We are seeing a decrease in some regions." 

Just don't tell that to anyone living in New York, Boston or Chicago, at least not before slipping on a facemask first.  

January 9, 2013

"2012 was definitely an important year for Walgreens," Greg Wasson, Walgreens president and CEO, told shareholders here Wednesday afternoon at the chain's annual shareholder meeting. "We did make some tough choices to protect and solidify … our position for the long term," he said. "[But] our vision is crystal clear to become the first choice for health and daily living in America."

 CHICAGO — "[The year] 2012 was definitely an important year for Walgreens," Greg Wasson, Walgreens president and CEO, told shareholders here, at the Navy Pier, Wednesday afternoon, at the chain's annual shareholder meeting. "We did make some tough choices to protect and solidify … our position for the long term," he said. "[But] our vision is crystal clear to become the first choice for health and daily living in America."

January 9, 2013

Men are an ideal target for online beauty and beauty retailers may want to consider expanding more marketing efforts to further leverage this growing opportunity, according to recent research from Mintel.

CHICAGO — Men are an ideal target for online beauty and beauty retailers may want to consider expanding more marketing efforts to further leverage this growing opportunity, according to recent research from Mintel.

The ease and convenience features of online shopping appeal to some 60% of men ages 18 of 34 years who buy beauty products and agree that buying online is more convenient than shopping in store. This compares with 52% of women of the same age and 41% of their older male counterparts (ages 55 years and older), according to Mintel.

January 9, 2013

A company that makes smoothies for dieters has introduced a new small size designed for convenience.

CHICAGO — A company that makes smoothies for dieters has introduced a new small size designed for convenience.

RightSize announced the launch of 8-oz. single-serve packs of its smoothies in the Lean Cocoa Bean, SkinniVanilli, Slend-A-Berry and Leano Cappuccino flavors.

January 9, 2013

A movement toward a more team-based, coordinated approach to patient care has helped drive increased demand for advance practice clinicians, as well as an increase in salaries for this group, according to findings of a recently released survey.

CHICAGO — A movement toward a more team-based, coordinated approach to patient care has helped drive increased demand for advance practice clinicians, as well as an increase in salaries for this group, according to findings of a recently released survey.

January 4, 2013

Sales of smoking cessation aids are projected to reach $1 billion in 2012 with continued growth driving sales as high as $1.2 billion by 2017, market research firm Mintel reported.

CHICAGO — Sales of smoking cessation aids are projected to reach $1 billion in 2012 with continued growth driving sales as high as $1.2 billion by 2017, market research firm Mintel reported Thursday. 

January 4, 2013

Record attendance is expected at the event scheduled for May 21 through May 23 in Chicago due in part to format changes by event organizer the National Confectioners Association and the strength of merchandise categories represented at the mega event.

CHICAGO — Retailer and supplier consolidation has led to the demise of some conventional trade shows, but that’s not the case with the Sweets & Snacks Expo.

Record attendance is expected at the event scheduled for May 21 through May 23 in Chicago due in part to format changes by event organizer the National Confectioners Association and the strength of merchandise categories represented at the mega event.

December 28, 2012

Hillshire Brands will introduce new products in the frozen breakfast category over the next few years in an effort for the company to become the most innovative meat-centric food company throughout North America.

CHICAGO — Hillshire Brands will introduce new products in the frozen breakfast category over the next few years in an effort for the company to become the most innovative meat-centric food company throughout North America.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Hillshire, backed by an enhanced marketing and advertising campaign, will offer new easy-to-heat breakfast bowls, quesadillas, burritos and egg sandwiches.

December 28, 2012

Solidifying Perrigo’s leadership position in topical foam-based generic prescription pharmaceuticals, the company announced it has signed a definitive merger agreement and completed the acquisition of Cobrek Pharmaceuticals.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Solidifying Perrigo’s leadership position in topical foam-based generic prescription pharmaceuticals, the company announced it has signed a definitive merger agreement and completed the acquisition of Cobrek Pharmaceuticals, a privately-held, Chicago-based drug development company, for approximately $45 million.

December 19, 2012

Revamping the center store could present an opportunity worth more than $440 billion for supermarkets, according to a new study by SymphonyIRI.

CHICAGO — Revamping the center store could present an opportunity worth more than $440 billion for supermarkets, according to a new study by SymphonyIRI.

December 13, 2012

Holiday shoppers continued their quest for the perfect gifts during the week ended Dec. 8, according to ShopperTrak. Consumer activity drove a 7.8% increase in foot traffic and 6.5% increase in sales from the previous week.

CHICAGO — Holiday shoppers continued their quest for the perfect gifts during the week ended Dec. 8, according to ShopperTrak. Consumer activity drove a 7.8% increase in foot traffic and 6.5% increase in sales from the previous week.

December 12, 2012

Bausch & Lomb is actively exploring a sale that could command upward of $10 billion, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal published Tuesday.

CHICAGO — Bausch & Lomb is actively exploring a sale that could command upward of $10 billion, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal published Tuesday. 

According to the report, Bausch & Lomb has been entertaining informal inquiries since the announcement that the company may soon issue an initial public offering. If no buyer materializes, the eye care company still plans to pursue an IPO, the report noted.

December 11, 2012

Fans of "Zombieland" take heart — should the world come to an end, the last Twinkie will be available at a Chicago-area Jewel Osco.

ITASCA, Ill. — Fans of "Zombieland" take heart — should the world come to an end, the last Twinkie will be available at a Chicago-area Jewel Osco. 

Jewel-Osco, a Supervalu company, on Monday announced that beginning Tuesday morning the retailer will begin selling what are believed to be the last shipments of Hostess products. More than 20,000 boxes of Twinkies will be sold at regular price through select Chicago-area Jewel-Osco stores, the company stated. "Customers looking for Ding Dongs, Zingers and Orange Cupcakes will also be in luck."

December 5, 2012

Rice-A-Roni has introduced single-serve, microwavable, flavored rice cups for people in search of a quick meal.

CHICAGO — Rice-A-Roni has introduced single-serve, microwavable, flavored rice cups for people in search of a quick meal.

The instant food brand announced Wednesday the introduction of the new cups, which include long-grain rice, toasted vermicelli and others, and require only water and microwaving for three-an-a-half minutes.

December 5, 2012

The overwhelming majority of retailers offer some kind of service for mobile shoppers, with Walgreens named among those leading the way, according to a new study.

CHICAGO — The overwhelming majority of retailers offer some kind of service for mobile shoppers, and one national retail pharmacy chain was named among those leading the way, according to a new study.

Digital marketing and e-commerce company Acquity Group released results of a report showing that 82% of retailers have a mobile-optimized site, 72% have a mobile or tablet app, and 66% have both. Most of them, 88%, use basic mobile capabilities like shopping carts, while 85% use featured products, 63% use customer reviews, and 54% use contact forms.

December 4, 2012

Bausch + Lomb recently introduced a new consumer-preferred cap design across its Renu multi-purpose contact lens solution brand.

CHICAGO — Bausch + Lomb recently introduced a new consumer-preferred cap design across its Renu multi-purpose contact lens solution brand. 

The design and overseal snap provides for an added ease of use, the company stated.  

The Renu brand in July celebrated 25 years on the shelf. First introduced in 1987, the brand helped revolutionize the contact lens solution category as a daily, single-bottle contact lens care regimen.

December 4, 2012

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday joined representatives from Walgreens to celebrate the grand opening of a new Walgreens flagship store in the Bucktown-Wicker Park neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon, taking the opportunity to remind Chicagoans about the importance of getting a flu shot this season.

CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday joined representatives from Walgreens to celebrate the grand opening of a new Walgreens flagship store in the Bucktown-Wicker Park neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon, taking the opportunity to remind Chicagoans about the importance of getting a flu shot this season.

November 30, 2012

It's only fitting that Walgreens placed its 8,000th store opening among the stars of Hollywood. It's not only a stellar achievement in and of itself, but the company's latest flagship store — and the first one on the West Coast — continues to emphasize Walgreens' out-of-this-world approach to drug store retailing.

Except you can't really call it drug store retailing, anymore. Not really. Because the other reason Hollywood is an appropriate backdrop to Walgreens' West Coast flagship is the fact that Walgreens has effectively transformed its big-box stage into a retail theater where each new grand location portrays a little of that flair in each new urban setting. That was evident in its second flagship store along Broadway in New York with its museum chronologically picturing those who have been honored in the Canyon of Heroes. And it's also evident in the second placement of a Walgreens' flagship store in Chicago.

It's only fitting that Walgreens placed its 8,000th store opening among the stars of Hollywood. It's not only a stellar achievement in and of itself, but the company's latest flagship store — and the first one on the West Coast — continues to emphasize Walgreens' out-of-this-world approach to drug store retailing.