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June 20, 2011

The new small-format Walmart Express stores that opened earlier this month are an interesting concept with intriguing growth potential. But for the time being, and possibly for much longer, competitors need not concern themselves with the small stores.



BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The new small-format Walmart Express stores that opened earlier this month are an interesting concept with intriguing growth potential. But for the time being, and possibly for much longer, competitors need not concern themselves with the small stores.


At least that’s what Walmart wants the marketplace to believe following the opening of the first few of the 15,000-sq.-ft. stores earlier this month in northwest Arkansas.


June 17, 2011

Walmart is moving forward with what could be characterized as a rollout of its Neighborhood Market format nearly 13 years after the first unit opened in fall 1998. Just don’t call it a Neighborhood Market.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is moving forward with what could be characterized as a rollout of its Neighborhood Market format nearly 13 years after the first unit opened in fall 1998. Just don’t call it a Neighborhood Market.

June 17, 2011

Walmart has rebranded the small-format food-and-drug combo store Neighborhood Market as Walmart Market.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Walmart has rebranded the small-format food-and-drug combo store Neighborhood Market as Walmart Market.

(THE NEWS: Coming soon: More Walmart Market stores. For the full story, click here.)

June 14, 2011

Nickelodeon is launching the first products themed after one of its live-action comedy series exclusively at Walmart.

LAS VEGAS — Nickelodeon is launching the first products themed after one of its live-action comedy series exclusively at Walmart.

U.S. and Canadian Walmart stores will carry the more than 250 products based on the show "Victorious," including apparel, accessories, entertainment and school supplies. Most stores will begin carrying the items in July through the back-to-school shopping season.

June 13, 2011

Walmart opened its first Express stores earlier this month to mixed reviews about the impact of the new format on the company domestic growth. At 15,000 sq. ft., Walmart opened the first Express location in Gentry, Ark., last week, but offered media and investment analysts a preview of the store prior to the company’s shareholders meeting on June 3.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Walmart opened its first Express stores earlier this month to mixed reviews about the impact of the new format on the company domestic growth. At 15,000 sq. ft., Walmart opened the first Express location in Gentry, Ark., last week, but offered media and investment analysts a preview of the store prior to the company’s shareholders meeting on June 3.

(THE NEWS: Walmart Express makes debut. For the full story, click here.)

June 6, 2011

As promised, Walmart unveiled its smaller-format store concept, dubbed Walmart Express, this past week.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — As promised, Walmart unveiled its smaller-format store concept, dubbed Walmart Express, this past week.

As previously reported by Drug Store News, the first store opened in the Gentry, Ark., market just in time for the company's shareholders meeting that was held last Friday morning. Two additional stores, located in Prairie Grove and Gravette, will open as soon as this week.

June 3, 2011

Generic drug maker Watson Labs is hoping to market a generic version of a Pfizer drug for erectile dysfunction.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Labs is hoping to market a generic version of a Pfizer drug for erectile dysfunction.

Watson announced Thursday that it had filed a regulatory approval application with the Food and Drug Administration to market a generic version of Viagra (sildenafil citrate) tablets in 25-mg, 50-mg and 100-mg strengths.

June 3, 2011

After nearly four hours of music, cheering, celebrity appearances and brief presentations by senior executives, Walmart president and CEO Mike Duke wrapped up the company’s annual shareholders’ extravaganza Friday morning by sharing five priorities associated with serving what he called the next generation of customers.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — After nearly four hours of music, cheering, celebrity appearances and brief presentations by senior executives, Walmart president and CEO Mike Duke wrapped up the company’s annual shareholders’ extravaganza Friday morning by sharing five priorities associated with serving what he called the next generation of customers.

May 31, 2011

Procter & Gamble announced that it has filed a lawsuit against a private-label manufacturer and distributor of mouthwash for allegedly violating the former's intellectual property.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble announced that it has filed a lawsuit against a private-label manufacturer and distributor of mouthwash for allegedly violating the former's intellectual property.

P&G claimed in its suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, that Vi-Jon's mouthwash product carries a bottle and label shape design that is too similar to P&G's Scope Outlast mouthwash.

May 20, 2011

Walmart and Target are the top go-to shopping destinations for college students, according to a new study.

OBERLIN, Ohio — Walmart and Target are the top go-to shopping destinations for college students, according to a new study.

May 17, 2011

Procter & Gamble is taking its packaging for three of its laundry products to the past.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble is taking its packaging for three of its laundry products to the past.

The company said that its Bounce, Downy and Tide brands will sport a retro look for a limited time, giving a nod to P&G's past advertising for the products.

Tide, Bounce and Downy vintage packages will be available at Target from May 22 through June 10. What's more, P&G will feature $1-off coupons for Tide and Bounce and 75-cent coupons for Downy in Sunday newspapers nationwide on May 29.

May 17, 2011

Walmart reported first-quarter earnings that were above the company's guidance, reflecting stability and strength in global operations, according to company president and CEO Mike Duke.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart reported first-quarter earnings that were above the company's guidance, reflecting stability and strength in global operations, according to company president and CEO Mike Duke.

Walmart's net income was $3.4 billion, or 98 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $3.3 billion, or 87 cents per diluted share.

May 9, 2011

New York City -- Massmart Holdings Ltd. promised to add jobs if Wal-Mart Stores is allowed to buy a controlling stake in the South African wholesaler, CEO Grant Pattison. His remarks were made on Monday at a tribunal in Pretoria, South Africa, that will determine whether Wal-Mart will be able to go through with the deal.

May 1, 2011

During the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting, Procter & Gamble is showcasing several of its health and beauty brands, such as Old Spice, Fusion, CoverGirl and Pantene, as well as its efforts to further partner with retailers to bolster sales via its health and beauty studios.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — During the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting, Procter & Gamble is showcasing several of its health and beauty brands, such as Old Spice, Fusion, CoverGirl and Pantene, as well as its efforts to further partner with retailers to bolster sales via its health and beauty studios.

Women who visit the P&G Him/Her Studio are able to indulge in such services as hair and makeup touch-ups, and guys can take advantage of grooming services.

April 29, 2011

Walmart announced that through its charitable arm, the Walmart Foundation, it is committing $1 million in cash and in-kind donations to support emergency relief efforts following the recent Southern storms, Midwest floods and Texas wildfires.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that through its charitable arm, the Walmart Foundation, it is committing $1 million in cash and in-kind donations to support emergency relief efforts following the recent Southern storms, Midwest floods and Texas wildfires.

April 28, 2011

Procter & Gamble announced on Thursday that its beauty and grooming segments posted single-digit increases in net sales during the third quarter.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble announced on Thursday that its beauty and grooming segments posted single-digit increases in net sales during the third quarter.

Beauty net sales rose 5% to $4.9 billion, on 5% volume growth. Organic volume, which excludes the net impact of Zest and minor fragrance divestitures, increased 6%, and organic sales grew 4%. The company noted that volume growth was driven by double-digit growth in developing regions, while volume in developed regions was flat.

April 25, 2011

Action Alley — branded feature displays and four-sided fixtures in the main aisles — marked its return to all Walmart stores this past holiday season, and signified Walmart’s return to promotional intensity.


April 25, 2011

It has been a challenging few years for Walmart among ongoing sales difficulties, restructuring of senior leadership and the pursuit of a new, yet familiar, strategic direction. Despite all the turmoil and the constant media attention it received, Walmart’s health-and-wellness business unit remained a steady performer through 2010.


April 12, 2011

Walmart and Sears Holdings have both announced their commitment to helping military members maintain employment when moving from one community to another.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. and HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Walmart and Sears Holdings have both announced their commitment to helping military members maintain employment when moving from one community to another.

The commitment is in line with the new Joining Forces initiative, launched by First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden to raise awareness around the challenges that military personnel and their spouses endure when moving from one community to another.

April 11, 2011

A provider of retailer supplier education services has named a 31-year Walmart veteran as its president and CEO.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — A provider of retailer supplier education services has named a 31-year Walmart veteran as its president and CEO.

8th & Walton said Mike Cockrell, who most recently served as chief merchandising officer of Walmart's Indian joint venture with Bharti before his retirement in February, would lead the company's efforts to accelerate growth initiatives while enhancing existing services.

April 11, 2011

A drug originally developed by scientists in the Soviet Union to treat allergies and currently under investigation by Pfizer and Medivation did not yield significant results in a late-stage clinical trial of patients with Huntington disease, a disorder that leads to cognitive decline, the companies said Monday.

NEW YORK — A drug originally developed by scientists in the Soviet Union to treat allergies and currently under investigation by Pfizer and Medivation did not yield significant results in a late-stage clinical trial of patients with Huntington disease, a disorder that leads to cognitive decline, the companies said Monday.

April 11, 2011

Walmart is looking to distinguish itself from the competition.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is looking to distinguish itself from the competition.

The retailer announced that it is reinvigorating its price leadership promise, bringing back products its customers have asked for and simplifying its ad match policy.

April 8, 2011

Target once again has taken the top spot as the retailer with the strongest consumer brand equity, according to the latest Harris poll.

NEW YORK — Target once again has taken the top spot as the retailer with the strongest consumer brand equity, according to the latest Harris poll.

This marked the second consecutive year Target has led the way in the "value retail" category, with an increasing gap noted between the company and runner-up Walmart, according to the "2011 Harris Poll EquiTrend" study. Target led the way with a ranking of 74.1, while Walmart had a ranking of 70.8. The industry average in the value retail category was 67.3.

April 6, 2011

Walmart announced that, through the Walmart Foundation, it has donated $319 million in cash and $480 million in in-kind contributions around the globe during the fiscal year ended Jan. 31.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that, through the Walmart Foundation, it has donated $319 million in cash and $480 million in in-kind contributions around the globe during the fiscal year ended Jan. 31.

According to Walmart, the company's U.S. giving grew by 64%, largely due to donations of produce, meats, poultry and other nutritious food to local food banks from Walmart stores, Sam's Club locations and distribution centers.

April 4, 2011

Coca-Cola's 100% recyclable beverage packages have premiered on store shelves.

ATLANTA — Coca-Cola's 100% recyclable beverage packages have premiered on store shelves.

The company's Dasani and Odwalla brands' single-serving bottles now will feature PlantBottle packaging, which is touted as the first-ever fully recyclable plastic beverage bottle produced using plants.

Coca-Cola said that in 2010, more than 2.5 billion PlantBottle packages were available across nine countries. For 2011, that number is expected to double to more than 5 billion PlantBottle packages in more than 15 countries.