Content about Economy of the United States

January 6, 2011

Shaw’s Supermarkets, a Supervalu banner, on Wednesday announced five store closures in the coming week — three in Massachusetts and two in Rhode Island — according to published reports.

WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — Shaw’s Supermarkets, a Supervalu banner, on Wednesday announced five store closures in the coming week — three in Massachusetts and two in Rhode Island — according to published reports.

Shaw’s currently operates 174 stores in New England.

January 5, 2011

Anticipating customer needs makes USA a force in Goliath’s backyard

PINE BLUFF, Ark. — USA Drug grew up in Arkansas, home turf of Walmart. But to characterize the 140-unit drug store operator as David to Walmart’s Goliath doesn’t do justice to this feisty retail innovator, which wields plenty of clout across the nation’s midsection, under a variety of store banners. 

January 5, 2011

Coming off strong Q1, Walgreens' Dec. sales grow

Shortly after announcing a record-setting first quarter last month, Walgreens reported on Wednesday that its December sales rose 7.5% to $6.8 billion.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Shortly after announcing a record-setting first quarter last month, Walgreens reported on Wednesday that its December sales rose 7.5% to $6.8 billion.

The chain said that Duane Reade stores, which Walgreens acquired in April 2010, contributed 2.5 percentage points.

Meanwhile, Walgreens also raked in a 9.5% increase for its total front-end sales, thanks to a spike in customer traffic and basket size. Pharmacy sales for the chain, which accounted for 58.6% of total sales for the month, saw a 6% boost.

January 5, 2011

CVS boosts ExtraCare program with Beauty Club

As announced at CVS Caremark's 2010 analyst meeting in October and reported by Drug Store News, the company's retail division is extending its successful ExtraCare loyalty program by officially launching the new ExtraCare Beauty Club, the first-ever beauty club program for the retail pharmacy industry.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — As announced at CVS Caremark's 2010 analyst meeting in October and reported by Drug Store News, the company's retail division is extending its successful ExtraCare loyalty program by officially launching the new ExtraCare Beauty Club, the first-ever beauty club program for the retail pharmacy industry.

CVS/pharmacy is launching the beauty club program during the People's Choice Awards 2011 on CBS at 9 p.m. EST.

January 5, 2011

Life after Kinray

WHITESTONE, N.Y. — Call him “Stewie Rah Rah.” He doesn’t mind. Stewart Rahr, the man in the bright yellow sunglasses who led Kinray to become the nation’s top independently owned pharmaceutical wholesaler, soon will have more time for his other interests.

January 5, 2011

ReportersNotebook — General Merchandise, 1/10/11

Supplier News — Pampers is looking to provide new resources and support for Latina moms and their babies through its latest initiative. The company announced the creation of the Madrinas Network, which will offer moms the opportunity to opt-in to receive tips and information on their baby’s development through a mobile messaging platform, and to join the Pampers Madrinas network at  Facebook.com/PampersLatino.  

January 5, 2011

Supplier survey: Working with Walmart

ROGERS, Ark. — If the eyes are the window to the soul, then Walmart’s suppliers are the window to its future, thanks to the truly unique relationship the retailer enjoys with its trading partners. Walmart brought new meaning to the concept of collaboration when it pursued a strategy of data transparency decades ago that enabled fact-based decision-making. Suppliers embraced what, at the time, was a novel approach in the retail industry, and their support over the years facilitated Walmart’s expansion, sales growth for all concerned and low prices for consumers. 

January 5, 2011

Travel clinics, immunizations take flight at Bartell Drugs

SEATTLE — You can say Bartell is getting into the travel business.

 Bartell, which had an estimated $353.4 million in sales in 2009, began operating travel clinics eight years ago and now has them at 10 of its 59 stores. They were the brainchild of pharmacists Jolene Kalmbach and Sharon Woodward, who got the idea after noticing that patients’ doctors often lacked necessary expertise in travel medicine and that commercial travel clinics were overbooked.

January 4, 2011

Kodak's new Pulse digital frame gets social

Kodak's popular wireless frame with its own e-mail address is keeping up with the times.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Kodak's popular wireless frame with its own e-mail address is keeping up with the times.

The new generation of Kodak Pulse digital frames, which have Wi-Fi capability, will allow users to comment on photos they receive from friends and family with a Quick Comment button on the frame's touchscreen. What's more, the Pulse frame also connects to Facebook and Kodak Gallery albums, so pictures automatically are streamed to the frame.

January 4, 2011

Merriwether to lead retail services for Sears, Kmart

Sears Holdings' SVP procurement and finance has been promoted.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings' SVP procurement and finance has been promoted.

Deidra Cheeks Merriwether now holds the title of SVP and president of retail services, succeeding James Haworth. In this role, Merriwether, who joined the corporation in 2001, will be responsible for the oversight and leadership of retail services for the broadline retailer's Kmart and Sears stores.

Merriwether currently serves as a member of Sears Canada's board of directors and is the executive sponsor of the company's African-American Associate Network.

January 4, 2011

Publix to debut private-label cheese line

Publix is rolling out imported and domestic private-label specialty cheeses in its deli department.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix is rolling out imported and domestic private-label specialty cheeses in its deli department.

Publix customers will have the opportunity to learn about the specialty cheeses — including such varieties as asiago and Spanish manchego — now offered at stores through weekly sales ads, Publix.com and in-store promotions and presentations, the company said.

January 4, 2011

Report: Kroger to spruce up Houston market

It seems that Kroger is looking to upgrade some of its stores in the Houston area, according to published reports.

HOUSTON — It seems that Kroger is looking to upgrade some of its stores in the Houston area, according to published reports.

The grocer is planning on opening a Marketplace store — a larger-scale model — in Willis, Texas, and will do major overhauls on five stores and minor remodels on six stores, according to the Houston Chronicle. The report also noted that Kroger planned to close two underperforming stores in the area as well.

January 4, 2011

Rite Aid beats analysts' estimates; positive comps across the board

Rite Aid brought the New Year in with a bang, recording monthly same-store sales increases across both the front end and back bench for the first time in almost two years.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid brought the New Year in with a bang, recording monthly same-store sales increases across both the front end and back bench for the first time in almost two years.

January 3, 2011

Dollar General drives job growth

Building on its plans to open 625 new stores in fiscal 2011, Dollar General on Monday resolved to create 6,000 new jobs.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Building on its plans to open 625 new stores in fiscal 2011, Dollar General on Monday resolved to create 6,000 new jobs.

In addition to expanding within its 35-state operating area, Dollar General also has targeted such new markets as Connecticut, Nevada and New Hampshire.

January 3, 2011

Drug stores expected to close out 2010 on strong note

Credit Suisse analysts on Monday projected strong front-end sales and improved pharmacy comparisons for December.

NEW YORK — Credit Suisse analysts on Monday projected strong front-end sales and improved pharmacy comparisons for December.

“Industry front-end sales growth will accelerate in December on easier comparisons and increased promotional activity,” Credit Suisse research analyst Edward Kelly noted. “Sales last year were negatively impacted by low levels of seasonal inventory (especially at Walgreens) and unusually soft flu activity after an early start to the season,” he added.

December 28, 2010

Sears/Kmart to add new online movie download service

Sears has partnered with Sonic Solutions to bring an online movie download service to Sears and Kmart customers.

NOVATO, Calif. — Sears has partnered with Sonic Solutions to bring an online movie download service to Sears and Kmart customers. The new Alphaline Entertainment service, available at Alphaline.roxionow.com, enables the retailers’ customers to download new movies the same day they are released on DVD/Blu-ray.

Sonic is working with Sears on a multiphase rollout that includes making the service available from a broad range of connected devices and ensuring compatibility with studio-supported digital programs.

December 22, 2010

Coca-Cola Foundation awards $4 million in grants to various organizations

The philanthropic arm of Coca-Cola donated funds to 38 organizations that support water conservation, community recycling, active healthy living and education.

ATLANTA — The philanthropic arm of Coca-Cola donated funds to 38 organizations that support water conservation, community recycling, active healthy living and education.

December 22, 2010

Hy-Vee notes 11th-hour shoppers this Christmas

Store directors at Hy-Vee said they noticed customers delay to purchase certain items until Christmas Eve.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Store directors at Hy-Vee said they noticed customers delay to purchase certain items until Christmas Eve.

Specialty items, including such products as cocktail sauce, heavy whipping cream and batteries; stock-up items, including beverages and eggs; and gifts and entertainment items tend to be purchased in the 11th hour.

December 22, 2010

Kodak names chief customer officer

A Kodak corporate VP was appointed chief customer officer this week.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A Kodak corporate VP was appointed chief customer officer this week.

Gustavo Oviedo, who also served as the company's general manager, worldwide sales and customer operations, will fill his role as chief customer officer and general manager, worldwide regional operations on Jan. 1. Oviedo will report to Kodak chairman and CEO Antonio Perez. With this new role, he will serve on Kodak's executive council. Prior to this appointment, Oviedo was a member of the company's operations council.

December 21, 2010

CVS Caremark Charitable Trust awards $3.3 million in grants

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust announced on Tuesday that $3.3 million in grants has been awarded to 72 nonprofit organizations across the country.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust announced on Tuesday that $3.3 million in grants has been awarded to 72 nonprofit organizations across the country.

About half of these grants align with CVS Caremark All Kids Can, a program focused on making life easier for children with disabilities and for their families. The other half of the grants will provide support for medical services for the underinsured and uninsured.

December 21, 2010

Pfizer to recall lot of Lipitor

Pfizer on Monday announced that it intends to recall one lot — approximately 19,000 bottles — of Lipitor 40-mg tablets (atorvastatin calcium) distributed in the United States because of one customer’s report of an uncharacteristic odor related to the bottles in which these lots of Lipitor were packaged.

NEW YORK — Pfizer on Monday announced that it intends to recall one lot — approximately 19,000 bottles — of Lipitor 40-mg tablets (atorvastatin calcium) distributed in the United States because of one customer’s report of an uncharacteristic odor related to the bottles in which these lots of Lipitor were packaged.

The bottles were supplied by a third-party bottle manufacturer. A medical assessment found that the risk of health consequences to patients appears to be minimal, Pfizer reported.

December 21, 2010

Report: Shaw's may be pulled from sale block

Supervalu is having difficulty divesting its New-England-based Shaw’s chain for more than $1 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, and the Minnesota grocery conglomerate may be ready to take down its "for sale" sign.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu is having difficulty divesting its New-England-based Shaw’s chain for more than $1 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, and the Minnesota grocery conglomerate may be ready to take down its "for sale" sign.

According to the report, Shaw’s has been on the block for several months with no takers. Many bids from private-equity firms actually came in below the asking price.

December 21, 2010

Walmart tops holiday Web traffic

Walmart had high Web traffic numbers for the week ended Nov. 27, which included Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to data released from Experian Hitwise.

NEW YORK — Walmart had high Web traffic numbers for the week ended Nov. 27, which included Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to data released from Experian Hitwise.

The big-box retailer topped the list at 25.88% of all Web traffic, or 88 million visits, with Target ranking second at 15.26%, or 51.8 million visits.

Meanwhile, Sears.com accounted for 6.21% of multichannel Web traffic, or 21.1 million visits for the week, just under JCPenney at 21.5 million visits, or 6.34% of total Web traffic.

December 20, 2010

Kroger recalls pet food due to possible contamination

Kroger recalled select packages of pet food sold in some of its retail stores because the products may contain aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxic chemical byproduct from the growth of a certain fungus.

CINCINNATI — Kroger recalled select packages of pet food sold in some of its retail stores because the products may contain aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxic chemical byproduct from the growth of a certain fungus.

The recall affects Kroger stores in 17 states, as well as Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Baker's stores in Nebraska; Food 4 Less stores in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana (Chicago area); and Jay C, Hilander, Owen's, Pay Less and Scott's stores in Illinois and Indiana.

December 17, 2010

Eileen Myers joins The Little Clinic

The Little Clinic has appointed Eileen Myers as director of prevention and health management. She will be responsible for leading the health-and-wellness initiatives and for overseeing the rollout of an expanded scope of services for the clinic operator.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — The Little Clinic has appointed Eileen Myers as director of prevention and health management. She will be responsible for leading the health-and-wellness initiatives and for overseeing the rollout of an expanded scope of services for the clinic operator.