Content about Chicago

February 10, 2012
SymphonyIRI Group: Focus on in-store merchandising continues to bear fruit

According to “Merchandising Trends: Driving Consumption through Shopper Marketing,” a new report published earlier this week by SymphonyIRI Group, merchandising continues to play an important role at retail.

CHICAGO — According to “Merchandising Trends: Driving Consumption through Shopper Marketing,” a new report published earlier this week by SymphonyIRI Group, merchandising continues to play an important role at retail. In 2011, 47% of consumer packaged goods categories enjoyed increased merchandising support, including displays, feature ads, feature and display combined, and price reduction only.

February 9, 2012
CVS offers health screenings, pharmacist Facebook chat for American Heart Month

Recognizing that cardiovascular disease affects about 80 million people in the United States and is the No. 1 killer of Americans, CVS/pharmacy announced on Thursday that it is providing several free services, educational information and special product offers during February's American Heart Month.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Recognizing that cardiovascular disease affects about 80 million people in the United States and is the No. 1 killer of Americans, CVS/pharmacy announced on Thursday that it is providing several free services, educational information and special product offers during February's American Heart Month.

February 8, 2012
CVS' Project Health to deliver more than $21M worth of preventive health screenings

CVS/pharmacy announced on Wednesday the launch of Project Health (Proyecto Salud in Spanish), a wellness program delivering more than $21 million worth of free health screenings to multicultural communities.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy announced on Wednesday the launch of Project Health (Proyecto Salud in Spanish), a wellness program delivering more than $21 million worth of free health screenings to multicultural communities.

February 2, 2012
Gatorade announces multiyear partnership with Heisman trophy winner

A Heisman trophy recipient and National Football League quarterback has inked a deal with an iconic sports drink brand.

CHICAGO — A Heisman trophy recipient and National Football League quarterback has inked a deal with an iconic sports drink brand.

February 1, 2012
Jewel-Osco honors African-American vendors during Black History month

Supervalu-owned Jewel-Osco has announced that it will celebrate Black History Month this February with its 13th annual “A Taste of Black History” program, a monthlong initiative to honor the contributions of Jewel-Osco’s African-American vendors and help them build on their success in the retail food business.

ITASCA, Ill. — Supervalu-owned Jewel-Osco has announced that it will celebrate Black History Month this February with its 13th annual “A Taste of Black History” program, a monthlong initiative to honor the contributions of Jewel-Osco’s African-American vendors and help them build on their success in the retail food business.

In addition to numerous in-store sampling events featuring African-American vendor products, Jewel-Osco will host a private reception on Feb. 16, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Chicago’s South Shore Cultural Center.

February 1, 2012
SymphonyIRI breaks down the digital consumer with new analysis

SymphonyIRI Group on Tuesday unveiled its latest segmentation solution called DigitaLink, which leverages SymphonyIRI’s Consumer Network Panel, MarketPulse research and analytic capabilities to segment shoppers into unique profiles, enabling suppliers and retailers to better manage marketing efforts with online consumers.

CHICAGO — SymphonyIRI Group on Tuesday unveiled its latest segmentation solution called DigitaLink, which leverages SymphonyIRI’s Consumer Network Panel, MarketPulse research and analytic capabilities to segment shoppers into unique profiles, enabling suppliers and retailers to better manage marketing efforts with online consumers.

January 31, 2012
Single-cup coffee category continues to have audience, Mintel finds

Seventeen percent of coffee drinkers enjoy consuming one "cup of joe" at a time, according to new Mintel research.

CHICAGO — Seventeen percent of coffee drinkers enjoy consuming one "cup of joe" at a time, according to new Mintel research.

January 26, 2012
Ralphs, Food 4 Less announce children's hospital fundraising campaign

Kroger banners Ralphs and Food 4 Less are raising funds to support children's hospitals.

LOS ANGELES — Kroger banners Ralphs and Food 4 Less are raising funds to support children's hospitals.

The chains' children's hospital fundraising campaign will run from Jan. 29 to May 19. Ralphs will support children's hospitals in Southern California, while Food 4 Less will raise funds for children's hospitals in Southern California, southern Nevada and the greater Chicago area. The supermarket chain's Foods Co Division also is collecting donations for children's hospitals in central and northern California.

January 26, 2012
Walmart opens second supercenter in Chicago

Walmart on Wednesday opened its second supercenter in Chicago.

NEW YORK — Walmart on Wednesday opened its second supercenter in Chicago.

January 20, 2012
Lawrence Benjamin named SymphonyIRI chairman

SymphonyIRI Group on Thursday identified the executives sitting on its new board of directors, including the naming of Lawrence Benjamin as chairman.

CHICAGO — SymphonyIRI Group on Thursday identified the executives sitting on its new board of directors, including the naming of Lawrence Benjamin as chairman.

A 25-year veteran, Benjamin most recently held several executive positions at Royal Ahold, including CEO of U.S. foodservice, COO of Ahold's U.S. retail businesses, EVP and a seat on the company's global board. Previously, he was CEO for NutraSweet and president of the frozen meals division of Kraft. Benjamin currently is a senior adviser at New Mountain Capital.

January 20, 2012
Walgreens adds big touch of tech

Walgreens in early January brought the latest example of its flagship retail pharmacy to life in Chicago. And, like it’s counterpart in New York, the interactive technology really sets the store apart from traditional retail pharmacy experiences.

CHICAGO — Walgreens in early January brought the latest example of its flagship retail pharmacy to life in Chicago. And, like it’s counterpart in New York, the interactive technology really sets the store apart from traditional retail pharmacy experiences. Two endcaps across from the pharmacy feature interactive touchscreens — one features information on smoking cessation, the other on heart health. Adjacent to the pharmacy’s pick-up window is a self-serve prescription checkout that dispenses a patient’s prescriptions.


January 19, 2012
Walgreens unveils newly renovated stores in Indianapolis

Walgreens has transformed 68 locations in the Indianapolis market into health and daily living destinations.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has transformed 68 locations in the Indianapolis market into health and daily living destinations.

The drug store chain hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday at a store located on 16th and Meridian in Indianapolis. On hand at the ceremony were Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson, former Indianpolis Colts coach Tony Dungy and Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind.

The stores are part of Walgreens' pilot program that launched last year in Chicago.

January 18, 2012
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Diabetes prevention, management can be aided by healthy diet, regular exercise

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is reminding consumers that the first-line defenses against Type 2 diabetes are a healthy diet and regular exercise, and that these defenses can be aided with the help of a registered dietitian.

CHICAGO — The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is reminding consumers that the first-line defenses against Type 2 diabetes are a healthy diet and regular exercise, and that these defenses can be aided with the help of a registered dietitian.

The organization issued a press release following the announcement that celebrity chef Paula Deen had Type 2 diabetes and was working with Novo Nordisk to shed light on the issue.

January 17, 2012
SymphonyIRI: Shoppers optimistic yet frugal

U.S. shoppers believed that the economy improved in the last six months of 2011 and that growth will continue through the first six months of 2012, but many remain cautious with their spending, according to SymphonyIRI's fourth quarter 2011 MarketPulse survey.

CHICAGO — U.S. shoppers believed that the economy improved in the last six months of 2011 and that growth will continue through the first six months of 2012, but many remain cautious with their spending, according to SymphonyIRI's fourth quarter 2011 MarketPulse survey.

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 16, 2012
Walgreens taps out a little bit of sunshine in last week's meetings

It couldn't have been choreographed better if Bob Fosse himself had orchestrated Walgreens' annual shareholders' meeting.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — It couldn't have been choreographed better if Bob Fosse himself had orchestrated Walgreens' annual shareholders' meeting. It started on Monday, Jan. 9, when Walgreens' executive team entertained reporters to unveil the latest flagship location on State and Randolph. That evening, Illinois governor Pat Quinn and Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel stood with flagship architect Joe Magnacca and officially christened the new store before Tuesday's grand opening.

January 11, 2012
Walgreens outlines five key strategies to change the pharmacy retail industry

One day before Walgreens hosted its 2012 annual shareholder meeting in Chicago on Wednesday afternoon, the chain showcased its latest flagship store to its hometown crowd. And even as Walgreens stares down its Express Scripts counterparts across the field, the head office made one thing perfectly clear to Chicago and its shareholders: Walgreens no longer is on a path to own well; it's on a path to dominate well.

CHICAGO — One day before Walgreens hosted its 2012 annual shareholder meeting here Wednesday afternoon, the chain showcased its latest flagship store to its hometown crowd. It was Jordanesque — Chicago knows what a championship team looks like, the Cubs notwithstanding — and even as Walgreens stares down its Express Scripts counterparts across the field, the head office made one thing perfectly clear to Chicago and its shareholders: Walgreens no longer is on a path to own well; it's on a path to dominate well.

January 10, 2012
Premium offerings showcased at Walgreens' Chicagoland flagship

Walgreens on Tuesday brought the latest example of its flagship retail pharmacy to life in Chicago, tantalizing its hometown crowd with departments most shoppers normally wouldn't associate with a pharmacy.

CHICAGO — Walgreens on Tuesday brought the latest example of its flagship retail pharmacy to life here in Chicago, tantalizing its hometown crowd with departments most shoppers normally wouldn't associate with a pharmacy: a fully stocked sushi bar, quick-and-fresh deli offerings and a self-serve yogurt bar adjacent to a juice bar that, along with the healthy-for-you selection of juice, offers the “double-rich chocolate malted milk” that the retailer invented in 1922.

January 6, 2012
A&P turns to technology provider Galleria to optimize merchandising strategy

Galleria Retail Technology Solutions, a provider of retail and category optimization solutions, has announced that grocer A&P has chosen Galleria to help optimize its merchandising strategy and improve the customer experience within its more than 300 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic stores.

CHICAGO — Galleria Retail Technology Solutions, a provider of retail and category optimization solutions, has announced that grocer A&P has chosen Galleria to help optimize its merchandising strategy and improve the customer experience within its more than 300 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic stores.

A&P will roll out several of Galleria’s solutions throughout its family of supermarkets.

January 4, 2012
Morningstar names Costco's Jim Sinegal CEO of the Year

Investment research firm Morningstar has named the outgoing CEO of Costco Wholesale as its 2011 CEO of the Year, the company said Wednesday.

CHICAGO — Investment research firm Morningstar has named the outgoing CEO of Costco Wholesale as its 2011 CEO of the Year, the company said Wednesday.

Costco CEO Jim Sinegal, who retired on New Year's Day, received the recognition for what Morningstar called his "exemplary corporate stewardship, independent thinking" and creating "lasting value for shareholders."

December 22, 2011
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics team reviews iPhone health apps

A group of dietitians with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has conducted a review of smartphone applications for weight management, diabetes and gluten-free eating, the organization said.

CHICAGO — A group of dietitians with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has conducted a review of smartphone applications for weight management, diabetes and gluten-free eating, the organization said.

The AND — formerly the American Dietetic Association — said the purpose of the review, which includes 30 of the most popular, free iPhone apps, was to help consumers sift through the numerous apps available.

December 22, 2011
ShopperTrak report: Holiday sales increase nearly 22% for week ended Dec. 17

A report released Wednesday by ShopperTrak found that holiday shoppers boosted sales 21.7% over the previous week and 1.3% over the same week last year.

CHICAGO — A report released Wednesday by ShopperTrak found that holiday shoppers boosted sales 21.7% over the previous week and 1.3% over the same week last year.

According to ShopperTrak, sales increases during the week ended Dec. 17 made this December on pace to have higher retail sales than last year. Month-to-date figures are up 0.5% over December 2010.

December 22, 2011
Walgreens awards $14,000 in 'Expressions Challenge' for Chicago-area high schools

Six students in Chicago Public Schools' high schools last week were awarded more than $14,000 for their participation in a peer-to-peer learning program, sponsored by Walgreens, called the Expressions Challenge.

CHICAGO — Six students in Chicago Public Schools' high schools last week were awarded more than $14,000 for their participation in a peer-to-peer learning program, sponsored by Walgreens, called the Expressions Challenge.

Student participants submitted art, video/photography or essay/poetry entries on educational disciplines, including art, English and health.
   

December 20, 2011
Study: High blood pressure in middle age fair predictor of heart attack, stroke

A hike in blood pressure during middle age significantly raises the risk of having a heart attack or a stroke, according to new Northwestern Medicine research released Monday.

CHICAGO — A hike in blood pressure during middle age significantly raises the risk of having a heart attack or a stroke, according to new Northwestern Medicine research released Monday. The study offers a new understanding on the importance of maintaining low blood pressure early in middle age to prevent heart disease later in life.

December 14, 2011
Walgreens, Chicago health network gift flu vouchers to local patients in need

Walgreens and Access Community Health Network of Chicago on Tuesday teamed up in an effort to protect more people in Chicago’s medically underserved communities from the flu this season, through a new program in which Walgreens will provide more than 10,000 free flu shot vouchers for eligible Access patients.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Access Community Health Network of Chicago on Tuesday teamed up in an effort to protect more people in Chicago’s medically underserved communities from the flu this season, through a new program in which Walgreens will provide more than 10,000 free flu shot vouchers for eligible Access patients.