Content about Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange

April 2, 2013

Centene Corp. has purchased specialty pharmacy provider AcariaHealth for a combination of cash and stock, Centene said Tuesday.

ST. LOUIS — Centene Corp. has purchased specialty pharmacy provider AcariaHealth for a combination of cash and stock, Centene said Tuesday.

Monday's purchase of AcariaHealth, formally known as Specialty Therapeutic Care Holdings, was financed through a combination of 1.7 million shares of Centene stock, cash and up to $15.3 million of Centene stock from an equity offering related to funding.

April 2, 2013

Rite Aid is offering free allergy screenings, information and a range of products as the allergy season approaches, the retail pharmacy chain said Tuesday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering free allergy screenings, information and a range of products as the allergy season approaches, the retail pharmacy chain said Tuesday.

March 29, 2013

Walmart and Target are ramping up offerings of private-label products directed at multicultural and health-conscious consumers, according to a new study.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Walmart and Target are ramping up offerings of private-label products directed at multicultural and health-conscious consumers, according to a new study.

The findings were part of a study by market research firm Packaged Facts on mass merchandisers, "The Supercenter Grocery Shopper: U.S. Consumer Patterns at Walmart, Target, Meijer and Fred Meyer." The report noted that mass merchandisers in recent years have marketed private-label food and beverage products that rival those of national brands in price, value and quality.

March 28, 2013

AmerisourceBergen on Thursday announced that it has divested its Canadian pharmaceutical distribution business, AmerisourceBergen Canada Corporation, to Kohl & Frisch Limited, a Canadian-owned national full-line distributor. ABCC represented approximately 2% of AmerisourceBergen’s total revenues.

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — AmerisourceBergen on Thursday announced that it has divested its Canadian pharmaceutical distribution business, AmerisourceBergen Canada Corporation, to Kohl & Frisch Limited, a Canadian-owned national full-line distributor. ABCC represented approximately 2% of AmerisourceBergen’s total revenues.

March 26, 2013

Kroger on Tuesday announced the planned retirement of VP and pension investment officer, Rich Manka, effective July 15.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday announced the planned retirement of VP and pension investment officer, Rich Manka, effective July 15.

"Throughout his career, Rich has been a trusted member of Kroger's leadership team," stated Mike Schlotman, Kroger's CFO. "Pension plan trustees and participants alike have benefited from his vast knowledge and influence on investment strategies and plan designs. We thank Rich for his contributions to our company and industry and wish him the very best."

March 22, 2013

About $209.3 million worth of Target's debt has been put up for sale as the company moves to refinance $679 million worth of debt due between 2028 and 2031, the mass merchandise retailer said.

MINNEAPOLIS — About $209.3 million worth of Target Corp.'s debt has been put up for sale as the company moves to refinance $679 million worth of debt due between 2028 and 2031, the mass merchandise retailer said.

Target announced plans to purchase $170 million in 6.75% debentures due 2028, $154.9 million in 6.65% debentures due 2028 and $354 million in 7% debentures due 2031.

The company said the $209.3 million tendered so far represented 20.31%, 25.22% and 38.32% of the totals of the three respective security titles.

 

March 21, 2013

The Network of Executive Women, whose mission is to attract, retain and advance women in the retail and consumer products industry through education, leadership and business development, has unveiled its "2012 Annual Report."

CHICAGO — The Network of Executive Women, whose mission is to attract, retain and advance women in the retail and consumer products industry through education, leadership and business development, has unveiled its "2012 Annual Report."

The report opens with the personal stories of 10 network members, who explain how their engagement with NEW changed their companies, careers and lives. Among those features are Kim Tisdale, manager of expense payables at Wal-Mart Stores, and Chris Albi, VP merchandising at Kroger.

March 19, 2013

In the wake of a new partnership announcement between Walgreens and AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health announced on that its pharmaceutical distribution contract with Walgreens that is scheduled to expire at the end of August 2013 will not be renewed.

DUBLIN, Ohio — In the wake of a new partnership announcement between Walgreens and AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health announced on Tuesday that its pharmaceutical distribution contract with Walgreens that is scheduled to expire at the end of August 2013 will not be renewed.

March 19, 2013

Walgreens will no longer source branded prescription medicines directly from suppliers beginning in September, the Chicago-based retailer announced as part of a significant partnership between Walgreens, Alliance Boots and AmerisourceBergen that includes Walgreens and Alliance Boots potentially taking a 7% stake in the Pennsylvania wholesaler.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens will no longer source branded prescription medicines directly from suppliers beginning in September, the Chicago-based retailer announced Tuesday as part of a significant partnership between Walgreens, Alliance Boots and AmerisourceBergen that includes Walgreens and Alliance Boots potentially taking a 7% stake in the Pennsylvania wholesaler. Walgreens will begin sourcing generic medicines from AmerisourceBergen beginning in the calendar year 2014.  

March 18, 2013

Rite Aid is stocking Easter and spring supplies at its stores in anticipation of the holiday and season, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is stocking Easter and spring supplies at its stores in anticipation of the holiday and season, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

The 4,623-store chain said items at its stores included chocolate bunnies, marshmallow Peeps, SweeTarts, Ducks & Bunnies, Cadbury Eggs and other candy brands, as well as baskets and other accessories.

In addition, the company is selling such gardening supplies as planters, figurines, bird feeders, wind chimes and outdoor fountains and lighting, including solar-powered devices.

 

March 15, 2013

Kroger's board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 15¢ per share to be paid on June 1 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 15.

CINCINNATI — Kroger's board of directors on Thursday declared a quarterly dividend of 15¢ per share to be paid on June 1 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 15.

In 2012, the company's board of directors raised the quarterly dividend by approximately 30%, to 15¢ per share. Since reinstating dividends in 2006, Kroger has increased the dividend each year and expects to continue to do so, the company noted.

March 15, 2013

Target has purchased two online retailers of cooking equipment in a move designed to expand its cooking and kitchenware business, said the mass merchandise retailer, which has lately made major investments in multichannel retailing.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has purchased two online retailers of cooking equipment in a move designed to expand its cooking and kitchenware business, said the mass merchandise retailer, which has lately made major investments in multichannel retailing.

Target announced the purchase of Cooking.com and CHEFS Catalog, both of which will continue to operate under their current names as a single, wholly owned subsidiary of Target. Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.

March 14, 2013

Target has sold its consumer credit card portfolio to TD Bank Group for $5.7 billion, the mass merchandise retailer said.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has sold its consumer credit card portfolio to TD Bank Group for $5.7 billion, the mass merchandise retailer said.

March 8, 2013

It has been just over a year since Frank Scorpiniti took the helm at Canada's Rexall Pharma Plus. And, as the Canadian retail market continues to heat up, the company has officially taken the lid off a reinvention of its business, from its stores and its brand, to the products and services in its stores.

It has been just over a year since Frank Scorpiniti took the helm at Canada's Rexall Pharma Plus. And, as the Canadian retail market continues to heat up, the company has officially taken the lid off a reinvention of its business, from its stores and its brand, to the products and services in its stores.

March 7, 2013

Kroger on Thursday reported total sales of $96.8 billion, up 7.1% as compared with the prior fiscal year.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday reported total sales of $96.8 billion, up 7.1% as compared with the prior fiscal year. After adjusting for the extra week in fiscal 2012, total sales increased to $94.8 billion or 4.9% compared with the prior fiscal year. Excluding fuel, total sales increased 6% over the same period last year. Further adjusting for the extra week, total sales excluding fuel increased 4%.

March 7, 2013

Rite Aid's same-store sales for February 2013 decreased by 3.6% over the previous year, including a 1.3% decrease in front-end same-store sales and a 4.7% decrease in pharmacy same-store sales, the retail pharmacy chain said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's same-store sales for February 2013 decreased by 3.6% over the previous year, including a 1.3% decrease in front-end same-store sales and a 4.7% decrease in pharmacy same-store sales, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

Front-end comps attributable to flu-related OTC products were flat, while pharmacy comps included a negative effect of 695 basis points from new generic introductions. Same-store prescription count increased 0.3%, including a 0.1% decrease attributable to flu shots and prescription flu drugs.

March 6, 2013

Fast Company magazine and Target Corp. are sponsoring a competition to develop a new mobile experience for Target, with a grand prize of $75,000.

NEW YORK — Fast Company magazine and Target are sponsoring a competition to develop a new mobile experience for Target, with a grand prize of $75,000.

The Co.Labs and Target Retail Accelerator is a competition to create either a mobile app or a mobile-enabled website design for the retailer, taking places at the Fast Co. Grill in Austin, Texas, blocks away from the SXSW conference. Entries will be accepted between this Friday and April 30, and seven finalists will be selected in May and awarded $10,000 to develop their prototypes.

March 4, 2013

The Center for Healthcare Supply Chain Research, the foundation of the Healthcare Distribution Management Association, announced the appointment of three directors to its board: including Gregory Drew, president of Value Drug; Peyton Howell, president of global sourcing and manufacturer relations at AmerisourceBergen; and, Kirk Kaminsky, SVP operations of McKesson Specialty Health.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Center for Healthcare Supply Chain Research, the foundation of the Healthcare Distribution Management Association, on Friday announced the appointment of three directors to its board: including Gregory Drew, president of Value Drug Company; Peyton Howell, president of global sourcing and manufacturer relations at AmerisourceBergen; and, Kirk Kaminsky, SVP operations of McKesson Specialty Health.

March 1, 2013

Eight directors were elected to serve on the board for AmerisourceBergen for a one-year term at the company's annual shareholders' meeting, the wholesaler announced.

NAPLES, Fla. — Eight directors were elected to serve on the board for AmerisourceBergen for a one-year term at the company's annual shareholders' meeting held here Thursday, the wholesaler announced. Of the eight, Douglas Conant was up for election before shareholders for the first time. AmerisourceBergen's board voted Conant in on Jan. 2. 

March 1, 2013

Rite Aid announced Friday that it had expanded its "virtual clinic" model to additional markets, now offering NowClinic Online Care service in 58 stores.

Retail clinics are an area in which Rite Aid has not invested to the same degree as Walgreens and CVS, but NowClinic shows that there are more ways to offer clinical services in a retail pharmacy setting than building an actual clinic. In 2011, Rite Aid became the first to provide such virtual clinics in a retail pharmacy setting when it launched the program as a pilot in nine stores in Detroit.

Rite Aid announced Friday that it had expanded its "virtual clinic" model to additional markets, now offering NowClinic Online Care service in 58 stores.

Retail clinics are an area in which Rite Aid has not invested to the same degree as Walgreens and CVS, but NowClinic shows that there are more ways to offer clinical services in a retail pharmacy setting than building an extra clinic. In 2011, Rite Aid became the first to provide such virtual clinics in a retail pharmacy setting when it launched the program as a pilot in nine stores in Detroit.

February 27, 2013

Rite Aid announced the two winners of the 2012 Favorite Pharmacy Team Member contest: a pharmacy technician from Ada, Ohio, and a long-time customer of the Birmingham, Mich., store.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid announced the two winners of the 2012 Favorite Pharmacy Team Member contest: a pharmacy technician from Ada, Ohio, and a long-time customer of the Birmingham, Mich., store. Both were selected at random from more than 13,000 entries in the annual contest honoring Rite Aid's pharmacy team members for their commitment to customer care and service.

February 27, 2013

Target is planning a rollout in Canada that will be bigger than any single year's worth of its store openings in the United States ever, executives of the company said Wednesday morning in a call with Wall Street analysts to discuss the mass merchandise retailer's fourth-quarter and full-year 2012 results.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target is planning a rollout in Canada that will be bigger than any single year's worth of its store openings in the United States ever, executives of the company said Wednesday morning in a call with Wall Street analysts to discuss the mass merchandise retailer's fourth-quarter and full-year 2012 results.

February 26, 2013

Several pharmacy retailers got top place in a recent consumer satisfaction survey.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Several pharmacy retailers got top place in a recent consumer satisfaction survey.

A report released Tuesday by the American Customer Satisfaction Index ranked Rite Aid at the top among drug store chains, with a score of 77, a 3% improvement over last year. Walgreens gained 1%, for a score of 76, while CVS ranked 75, a 3% gain. The survey noted that CVS hit a low two years ago due to cost-cutting efforts.

February 25, 2013

Health insurer Aetna is offering individual health insurance plans to Costco members in Florida, the insurer said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Health insurer Aetna is offering individual health insurance plans to Costco members in Florida, the insurer said.

The Costco Personal Health Insurance program includes five plans and offers medical benefits, dental options, a network of doctors and hospitals and other services, as well as lower copays on prescriptions at the club retailer's pharmacies.

February 25, 2013

Bob Miller has a knack for turnarounds. In 1999, he took over Rite Aid as chairman and CEO, helping to stabilize the drug store chain at a time when Rite Aid was on the brink of bankruptcy, and many analysts were projecting Rite Aid would fold.

Bob Miller has a knack for turnarounds. In 1999, he took over Rite Aid as chairman and CEO, helping to stabilize the drug store chain at a time when Rite Aid was on the brink of bankruptcy, and many analysts were projecting Rite Aid would fold.

Miller joined Rite Aid soon after building Fred Meyer into a supermarket powerhouse. Kroger acquired the Midwest chain in a $8 billion deal in 1999.