Content about Economy of the United States

May 21, 2013
Walgreens offers veterans and active duty military Memorial Day discount

To celebrate the service and commitment of the nation’s military and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country, Walgreens is offering a Memorial Day discount to all veterans and active duty military personnel.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — To celebrate the service and commitment of the nation’s military and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country, Walgreens is offering a Memorial Day discount to all veterans and active duty military personnel.

On Monday, May 27, shoppers with a valid military ID or proof of service will receive 15% off eligible store items and 20% off Walgreens, Nice! and W brand products at any Walgreens or Duane Reade drugstore nationwide.

May 20, 2013
Target tests omnichannel initiatives at new San Francisco office

Target is hoping to tap Silicon Valley talent in developing its omnichannel business, the company said.

NEW YORK — Target is hoping to tap Silicon Valley talent in developing its omnichannel business, the company said.

The mass merchandise retailer announced the opening of a new office in San Francisco that will allow it to work with technology companies in the area to create new digital and mobile shopping programs.

May 17, 2013
Pennsylvania supermarket operator to open fourth full-service restaurant

Wegmans in June will open The Pub at Wegmans, a full service restaurant and bar at their Allentown, Pa., location, the company announced.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Wegmans in June will open The Pub at Wegmans, a full service restaurant and bar at their Allentown location, the company announced Thursday. Led by Executive Chef Geno Nosenzo and using the fresh ingredients sold on-site in the store, The Pub at Wegmans will serve an array of dishes that go beyond typical pub standards, as well as cocktails, wines by the bottle or glass and an extensive selection of craft beer.

May 17, 2013
Supervalu refinances $1.5 billion senior secured term loan agreement

Supervalu successfully completed the refinancing of its existing $1.5 billion senior secured term loan agreement.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Thursday successfully completed the refinancing of its existing $1.5 billion senior secured term loan agreement. The amendment reduces the interest rate margin from 5% to 4% and reduces the LIBOR floor from 1.25% to 1% for LIBOR based loans. 

May 16, 2013
Brookshire's heralds new Super 1 Foods with grand opening event

On May 1, Brookshire's Grocery held a grand opening ceremony for a new Super 1 Foods located at 9 Fair Ave. in Winnsboro, Texas, with a ribbon-cutting event. The company converted the store, which it purchased last year, from the Kaye's Fod Market format.

WINNSBORO, Texas — On May 1, Brookshire's Grocery Co. held a grand opening ceremony for a new Super 1 Foods located at 9 Fair Ave. here with a ribbon-cutting event. The company converted the store, which it purchased last year, from the Kaye's Fod Market format.

On hand for the ribbon-cutting was Chamber of Commerce president Dustin Wright and Brookshire Grocery Co. president and CEO Rick Rayford. Super 1 Foods Store Director Josh Black presented donation checks totaling $1,000 each to Franklin Parish High School and Dixie Youth Baseball.

May 16, 2013
Revamped Food Lion stores to include cheaper private labels, fresher produce

Food Lion has revamped 178 of its stores and hired 800 new employees, the Delhaize Group-owned supermarket chain said.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion has revamped 178 of its stores and hired 800 new employees, the Delhaize Group-owned supermarket chain said.

The company said the stores would offer an improved shopping experience — such as faster checkout service — fresher produce through the "Fresh from the Field" initiative and cheaper private label products. The changes were made to stores in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

May 16, 2013
Simon Doonan and Nexxus create window dressing at Radio City Duane Reade store

Nexxus Salon Hair Care, in what it called a “first-of-its-kind” installation at a drug store chain, unveiled a window display tribute to the Tony Awards and Broadway at the Duane Reade store across from Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Nexxus Salon Hair Care, in what it called a “first-of-its-kind” installation at a drug store chain, unveiled a window display tribute to the Tony Awards and Broadway at the Duane Reade store across from Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan. The installation was created by Simon Doonan, creative ambassador for Barneys New York, who is best known for his whimsical, and sometimes outrageous, window displays.

May 16, 2013
Tardy tax refunds, cool weather impact Walmart’s Q1

Walmart Stores reported profit and sales lower than Wall Street expectations as the retail giant struggled against the payroll tax increase, delayed tax returns and an unseasonably cold spring impacting its U.S. sales.

Bentonville, Ark. — Walmart Stores on Thursday reported profit and sales lower than Wall Street expectations as the retail giant struggled against the payroll tax increase, delayed tax returns and an unseasonably cold spring impacting its U.S. sales. The retailer also scaled back its earnings expectations for the current three-month period.

Walmart’s net income rose 1.1% to $3.8 billion. Revenue edged up 1%, to $113.4 billion.

May 16, 2013
Target launches Sonia Kashuk fall 2013 collection

Target has launched the fall 2013 collection of Sonia Kashuk beauty products at its stores, the mass merchandise chain said.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has launched the fall 2013 collection of Sonia Kashuk beauty products at its stores, the mass merchandise chain said.


Pictured here: The Sonia Kashuk travel duffle bag.

May 16, 2013
Walmart goes to college

Walmart opened a new small-format store on the campus of Arizona State University as part of a pilot program, the mass merchandise retailer said.

TEMPE, Ariz. — Walmart opened a new small-format store on the campus of Arizona State University as part of a pilot program, the mass merchandise retailer said.

The company opened the 5,000-sq. ft. store in the Vista del Sol plaza at the university. The store includes health and wellness services, a pharmacy, convenient shopping services, convenience items and merchandise tailored to the campus. The Walmart on Campus store is the second in the country, the first having opened at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in January 2011.

May 15, 2013
Acosta appoints two executives to CVS team

Acosta Sales and Marketing has appointed two new executives, the company said.

NEW YORK — Acosta Sales and Marketing has appointed two new executives, the company said.

Patrick O'Reilly has been hired as VP and team leader for the company's CVS team. O'Reilly previously spent 25 years working for Eastman Kodak as director of sales for the drug channel and CVS team leader and was also VP sales for the drug channel at Foster Grant International.

Kevin Downey has been hired as director of Acosta's CVS team. He previously spent 25 years working for Mars North America and was the Mars CVS team leader.

May 15, 2013
Kroger unveils system that will convert food shrink into clean energy to power DC

Kroger on Wednesday unveiled a clean energy production system that will convert food that cannot be sold or donated into clean energy to help power its Ralphs/Food 4 Less distribution center in Compton, Calif.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Wednesday unveiled a clean energy production system that will convert food that cannot be sold or donated into clean energy to help power its Ralphs/Food 4 Less distribution center in Compton, Calif.

May 14, 2013
Bi-Lo Holding to transition Winn-Dixie distribution centers to wholesaler partner C&S

Bi-Lo Holding, parent company of Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, on Tuesday announced a long-term agreement under which Keene, N.H.-based C&S Wholesale Grocers will provide warehouse, transportation and most procurement services for all 480 Winn-Dixie stores and continue providing services to all 206 Bi-Lo stores.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Bi-Lo Holding, parent company of Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, on Tuesday announced a long-term agreement under which Keene, N.H.-based C&S Wholesale Grocers will provide warehouse, transportation and most procurement services for all 480 Winn-Dixie stores and continue providing services to all 206 Bi-Lo stores.

May 14, 2013
Nutrisystem names seasoned PR exec to head communications

Nutrisystem announced the appointment of Robin Shallow as VP public relations and corporate communications.

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — Nutrisystem on Tuesday announced the appointment of Robin Shallow as VP public relations and corporate communications. Shallow will drive consumer and corporate communications strategies for the Nutrisystem brand and will join the company on May 20.

Nutrisystem recently entered the retail space in a bigger way with distribution through Walmart. 

May 14, 2013
Study: CVS Caremark researchers explore demographic factors on medication adherence

A study conducted by researchers at CVS Caremark and Brigham and Women's Hospital and published in the May issue of the American Heart Journal found that non-white patients had 50% greater odds of statin medication nonadherence compared with white patients, while women had 10% greater odds of statin nonadherence compared with men.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — A study conducted by researchers at CVS Caremark and Brigham and Women's Hospital and published in the May issue of the American Heart Journal found that non-white patients had 50% greater odds of statin medication nonadherence compared with white patients, while women had 10% greater odds of statin nonadherence compared with men.

May 13, 2013
Walgreens, CVS Caremark extend network pharmacy provider agreement

Walgreens extended its agreement as a network pharmacy provider in the CVS Caremark pharmacy benefit management national retail network.

 DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday extended its agreement as a network pharmacy provider in the CVS Caremark pharmacy benefit management national retail network. The companies are not disclosing the financial and other confidential terms of the agreement.

May 10, 2013
Eleven Logli, Hilander stores to be unified under Schnucks brand

Schnucks is renaming all of the 11 Logli and Hilander stores it operates in Rockford, Ill., and Janesville, Wis., the supermarket company said.

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Schnucks is renaming all of the 11 Logli and Hilander stores it operates in Rockford, Ill., and Janesville, Wis., the supermarket company said.

May 10, 2013
Target bridges mobile, social networking, coupons with Cartwheel

Target is beta testing a new app that allows users to save on items and share deals on Facebook.

NEW YORK — Target is beta testing a new app that allows users to save on items and share deals on Facebook.

A Bullseye View, Target's online magazine, announced the introduction of Cartwheel, where people can find offers on products by browsing the system or looking at friends' activites, and add up to 10 of their favorites to a list. Once a red check appears in the corner of the offer card, the item can be purchased, and customers can either print a special barcode from their desktop computers or use their mobile devices in-store to access it.

May 9, 2013
Costco comps increase 4% in April

Costco sales grew 7% in April over April 2012, the club retailer said.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp.'s sales grew 7% in April over April 2012, the club retailer said Thursday.

Costco reported sales of $7.98 billion for the four weeks that ended Sunday, compared with $7.48 billion during the same period last year. Sales for the 35-week period that ended Sunday were $69 billion, 9% higher than the $63.59 billion recorded last year.

Sales in the United States at continuously open stores since last April increased by 4%, while same-store sales for the 35 weeks that ended Sunday increased 6%.

May 9, 2013
Costco offers travel packages to members

Costco Wholesale is touting its latest offering to members: its own travel agency.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp. is touting its latest offering to members: its own travel agency.

Costco Connection, the club retailer's monthly member magazine, featured on the cover a profile of Costco Travel, which offers travel packages to destinations ranging from Hawaii and Las Vegas to Europe and Tahiti.

May 9, 2013
CVS launches nationwide new Total Home line of household essentials

CVS/pharmacy announced the official launch of Total Home, a new home care product line built on performance, reliability and premium quality that is now available exclusively at CVS/pharmacy stores nationwide.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Today, CVS/pharmacy announced the official launch of Total Home, a new home care product line built on performance, reliability and premium quality that is now available exclusively at CVS/pharmacy stores nationwide.

May 9, 2013
Merlo to shareholders: CVS Caremark 'uniquely' positioned to drive results

The damp weather in Woonsocket, R.I., failed to dampen spirits during CVS Caremark’s annual shareholder meeting as the pharmacy retailer recently wrapped up an “outstanding” 2012 and looks to the future with continued optimism.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The damp weather here in Woonsocket, R.I., failed to dampen spirits during CVS Caremark’s annual shareholder meeting Thursday morning, as the pharmacy retailer recently wrapped up an “outstanding” 2012 and looks to the future with continued optimism.

May 9, 2013
Omnichannel is everywhere

As the editor of DSN, I decide what stays in print and what gets cut. Spatial limitations dictated that this snippet from our Amazon story had to go. But in the age of the omnichannel shopper, where every retailer competes against everyone else for a bigger share of the customer's wallet, how can you do an in-depth profile on the world's largest online retailer and not talk about omnichannel?

As the editor of DSN, I decide what stays in print and what gets cut. Spatial limitations dictated that this snippet from our Amazon story had to go. But in the age of the omnichannel shopper, where every retailer competes against everyone else for a bigger share of the customer's wallet, how can you do an in-depth profile on the world's largest online retailer and not talk about omnichannel?

May 8, 2013
Delhaize Group CEO Pierre-Olivier Beckers to retire by year-end

Belgian international food retailer Delhaize Group, whose U.S. banners include Hannaford, Sweetbay and Food Lion, has announced that president and CEO Pierre-Olivier Beckers intends to retire from his executive role by the end of this year.

BRUSSELS, Belgium — Belgian international food retailer Delhaize Group, whose U.S. banners include Hannaford, Sweetbay and Food Lion, has announced that president and CEO Pierre-Olivier Beckers intends to retire from his executive role by the end of this year.
 
As part of Delhaize’s succession plan, Beckers will stay in his post until a new CEO is appointed and a smooth transition has taken place, the company stated. He will continue to serve on the board, in a nonexecutive capacity, after stepping down as CEO.

May 8, 2013
Majority of Buffalo, N.Y., Rite Aid stores converted to Wellness format

New York state's second-largest city has become the first market in which a majority of Rite Aid's stores have been converted to the Wellness format, the retail pharmacy chain said Wednesday.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York state's second-largest city has become the first market in which a majority of Rite Aid's stores have been converted to the Wellness format, the retail pharmacy chain announced Wednesday.