Content about Economy of the United States

SAN DIEGO — Pfizer is partnering with San Diego biotech company Zacharon Pharmaceuticals to develop treatments for rare genetic disorders Zacharon said Thursday.

Under the collaboration, which could garner Zacharon up to $210 million, the companies will discover and develop pharmaceutical drugs for treating lysosomal storage disorders, a class of illnesses that includes Fabry disease, Gaucher disease, Pompe disease and Tay-Sachs disease.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens VP clinical affairs David Lorber will present during the Pinsonault Associates Managed Markets Summit on April 12 in Miami, Fla., the retailer announced Thursday.

The session, titled "Employer Issues in Specialty Pharmacy," will examine concerns for payers, including cost management and containment, benefit and coverage decisions, formulary and medical policy, pipeline management, provider network, member satisfaction and disruption, and compliance.

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.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday reported March sales of $6.3 billion, an increase of 7.6%. Duane Reade stores, acquired in April 2010, contributed 280 basis points to the total sales increase for the month.

Total front-end sales increased 8.4% in March, including 470 basis points from Duane Reade stores. Despite the negative impact of this year’s later Easter, which falls on April 24 compared with April 4 last year, comparable-store front-end sales increased 1.6%. Customer traffic in comparable stores increased 0.8%, while basket size increased 0.8%.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart has named the top eight toys for the summer.

The toys on the Hot 8 list all are designed for outdoor use and are made by such brands as Power Wheels, Little Tikes and Fisher Price.

This year's Hot 8 list includes:

• Banzai Splash Blast Lagoon pool;

PEAPACK, N.J. — Pfizer will sell its Capsugel business to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. for nearly $2.4 billion, the drug maker said Monday.

Capsugel, which develops hard capsules and drug-delivery systems, generated about $750 million in sales last year. The company will maintain its New Jersey headquarters after the sale is complete.

SALISBURY, N.C. — One week after Food Lion announced its grocery giveaway, another Delhaize America banner has kicked off a similar program.

Harveys said members of its Hometown Rewards loyalty program have the chance to win free groceries for a year. Additionally, customers also can instantly win 1-of-more-than-5,000 free national and private-brand items now through April 26.

Customers can participate in this sweepstakes at participating Harveys stores in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.

MONTVALE, N.J. — Grocer A&P is launching a discount program that offers seniors savings on groceries purchased at A&P, Pathmark, Waldbaum's, Food Emporium and Superfresh banner stores.

On April 4, the company is launching its "Senior Appreciation Days" program, starting with "Senior Appreciation Mondays," a new special discount program for seniors in all Pathmark banner stores.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Profit grew by nearly 10% to $123.2 million and sales advanced 8.3% to nearly $2.3 billion as Family Dollar remained on a consistent growth trajectory during its second quarter, ended Feb. 27.

Earnings per share for the period increased 21% to 98 cents, compared with 81 cents in the prior-year's second quarter.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Procter & Gamble announced that it has teamed up with its grocery retail partners to create a mobile application designed to help consumers live and shop more sustainably.

The app, called "My Carbon Footprint," works on iPhone, iPad or Droid devices. It is an interactive, social media-enabled carbon footprint gauge powered by P&G's Future Friendly initiative, P&G reported. It will become available on Earth Day, April 22.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Delhaize U.S. banners Food Lion Family, Bloom and Bottom Dollar Food earned their 10th consecutive Energy Star award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The company was 1-of-46 organizations recognized in the sustained excellence category and among 111 overall 2011 Energy Star award winners chosen from more than 20,000 partners in the Energy Star program.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — "Dispense-as-written" prescriptions are exacerbating medication nonadherence and costing the U.S. healthcare system billions of dollars, according to a new study by researchers at Harvard University, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and CVS Caremark.