Content about Expect

September 13, 2011

More than a quarter of Americans expect to spend less during the holidays this year, according to a survey by American’s Research Group, Reuters reported.

NEW YORK — More than a quarter of Americans expect to spend less during the holidays this year, according to a survey by American’s Research Group, Reuters reported.

About 27% of people surveyed said they planned to spend less this year, while about 55% expect to spend only as much as last year. The question was one of several exclusively asked for Reuters as part of a larger America's Research Group survey.

August 30, 2011

Dollar General results showed that low-end consumers have some spending power and a taste for its brand of discount retail.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General results showed that low-end consumers have some spending power and a taste for its brand of discount retail.

Sales increased 11.2% to $3.58 billion at the company’s 9,641 stores, while same-store sales increased 5.9% and net income increased 25% to $181 million, excluding nonrecurring charges related to the early repayment of debt. On that same basis, earnings per share increased to 52 cents, four cents better than analysts expected and nearly 24% higher than the prior-year profit of 42 cents.

August 17, 2011

Strong performances in key categories and higher gas profitability helped BJ’s Wholesale Club exceed its earnings guidance for the second quarter.

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — Strong performances in key categories and higher gas profitability helped BJ’s Wholesale Club exceed its earnings guidance for the second quarter.

The company reported net income for the period ended July 30 of $45.7 million, or 84 cents per diluted share. The company's guidance called for net income in the range of $40.5 to $42.5 million and earnings in the range of 74 cents to 78 cents per diluted share. For second quarter 2010, BJ's reported net income of $35.8 million, or 67 cents per diluted share.

August 11, 2011

It is with great sadness that Drug Store News reports the unexpected passing of ECRM CEO and founder Charlie Bowlus, who has died from complications following emergency surgery three weeks ago.

SARASOTA, Fla. — It is with great sadness that Drug Store News reports the unexpected passing of ECRM CEO and founder Charlie Bowlus, who has died from complications following emergency surgery three weeks ago.

July 28, 2011

GlaxoSmithKline expects to close the deal on the divestiture of several over-the-counter brands that were identified in April, the company stated Tuesday as part of its second-quarter earnings results.

PHILADELPHIA — GlaxoSmithKline expects to close the deal on the divestiture of several over-the-counter brands that were identified in April, the company stated Tuesday as part of its second-quarter earnings results.

"The divestment of noncore OTC assets in the [United States] and Europe will further aid our strategy to accelerate growth and increase the focus of our Consumer Healthcare business," GSK stated. "We are making progress to divest these products by late 2011, subject to realizing appropriate value for shareholders."

July 21, 2011

Expect flat back-to-school sales this year as parents continue to be cautious with their spending, the National Retail Federation found in its latest survey.

WASHINGTON — Expect flat back-to-school sales this year as parents continue to be cautious with their spending, the National Retail Federation found in its latest survey.

In its back-to-school survey, conducted by BIGresearch, NRF found that consumers are purchasing more store-brand or generic items (39.9%), comparison shopping more online (29.8%) and shopping for sales (50%). Additionally, nearly half of survey respondents said the economy is forcing them to simply spend less in general (43.7%).

July 7, 2011

Fred's on Thursday reported sales of $179 million for the five weeks ended July 2, representing a relatively flat 0.1% increase, compared with the year-ago period.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred's on Thursday reported sales of $179 million for the five weeks ended July 2, representing a relatively flat 0.1% increase, compared with the year-ago period.

Comparable-store sales for the month dropped 0.7%, compared with an increase of 1.7% in the same period last year.

June 1, 2011

Capital spending for the retail industry is expected to increase 16% in 2011 to $42.5 billion, with all subsegments projecting double-digit percentage increases — except for mass merchants, whose growth is projected to rise 9% — according to a survey by Equity Research.

NEW YORK — Capital spending for the retail industry is expected to increase 16% in 2011 to $42.5 billion, with all subsegments projecting double-digit percentage increases — except for mass merchants, whose growth is projected to rise 9% — according to a survey by Equity Research.

Although capital spending will be up, it remains well below 2007’s peak of $56 billion. Also, unlike these peak years when a significant portion of spending was dedicated to new store growth, the emphasis will be on maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, e-commerce and remodels.

May 20, 2011

Target plans to spend more than it had forecast this year on its entry into the Canadian market as it nails down more of the best retail locations sooner than expected.

NEW YORK — Target plans to spend more than it had forecast this year on its entry into the Canadian market as it nails down more of the best retail locations sooner than expected.

The retailer said it will be able to “clarify” within weeks the number and locations of the first 100 to 150 stores it will open in Canada.

“We expect to close on higher value lease transactions sooner than expected,” Target CFO Doug Scovanner told analysts on a conference call Wednesday.

May 18, 2011

Cancer drugs are expected to see sharp increases in spending and use by 2013, according to the latest drug trend report by pharmacy benefit manager Medco Health Solutions.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Cancer drugs are expected to see sharp increases in spending and use by 2013, according to the latest drug trend report by pharmacy benefit manager Medco Health Solutions.

The overall drug trend for 2010 was 3.7%, lowered by higher rates of generic drug dispensing; more than 71% of drugs dispensed were generics. Specialty drugs, mostly branded biologics, accounted for 70.1% of the overall drug trend, with especially strong growth in cancer drugs, whose drug trend reached 21.2%.

April 28, 2011

Net income for Safeway dropped due to a tax charge and the retailer's decision to repatriate $1.1 billion from its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, although the company noted revenue rose nearly 5%.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Net income for Safeway dropped due to a tax charge and the retailer's decision to repatriate $1.1 billion from its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, although the company noted revenue rose nearly 5%.

Net income for the first quarter ended March 26 dropped to $25.1 million, or 7 cents per diluted share, compared with $96 million, or 25 cents per diluted share, in first quarter 2010. Excluding the tax charge, Safeway said first-quarter net income was $105.3 million, or 29 cents per diluted share.

April 21, 2011

Take Care Health Systems on Thursday announced a new relationship with Ochsner Health System that is expected to increase opportunities for clinical collaboration and improve patient access to high-quality, convenient and affordable healthcare options in the greater New Orleans area.

NEW ORLEANS — Take Care Health Systems on Thursday announced a new relationship with Ochsner Health System that is expected to increase opportunities for clinical collaboration and improve patient access to high-quality, convenient and affordable healthcare options in the greater New Orleans area.

April 13, 2011

Target expects sales from its upcoming Canadian stores to total more than $6 billion by 2017, Dow Jones reported.

NEW YORK — Target expects sales from its upcoming Canadian stores to total more than $6 billion by 2017, Dow Jones reported.

Speaking to Wall Street analysts, CFO Douglas Scovanner said Tuesday that Target expects to have more than 200 stores in Canada within the next five to 10 years, with the stores generating about $6 billion Canadian ($6.27 billion in U.S. dollars based on Tuesday’s exchange rate).

Target’s initial group of stores will open through the chain’s purchase in January of up to 220 leases held by Hudson's Bay Co.'s Zellers stores.

March 31, 2011

Expect to see Hershey products carrying a higher price tag.

HERSHEY, Pa. — Expect to see Hershey products carrying a higher price tag.

In an effort to offset input costs, the chocolate giant said it would implement a weighted average price increase of about 9.7% across its instant consumable, multipack, packaged candy and grocery lines.

March 25, 2011

Expectations of improved profitability at Dollar General mean the company will keep the pedal to the metal in terms of expansion.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT — Expectations of improved profitability at Dollar General mean the company will keep the pedal to the metal in terms of expansion.

(THE NEWS: Dollar General keeps growing. For the full story, click here)

March 24, 2011

Procter & Gamble and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries will bring their over-the-counter product lines and capabilities together in a deal they expect to be completed this fall.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries will bring their over-the-counter product lines and capabilities together in a deal they expect to be completed this fall.

March 24, 2011

The 2011 NACDS Marketplace Conference will take place in Boston, June 25 to 28. More than 230 retail companies — representing more than $500 billion in annual buying power — and more than 90% of the consumer packaged goods industry is expected to attend. To learn more, Drug Store News talked with NACDS SVP member programs and services Jim Whitman and NACDS director of conference exhibits and registration Roy McGrath.

DSN: Why is Marketplace more important than ever? What’s new this year?

March 22, 2011

Though Dollar General's fourth-quarter sales growth came in at slightly below analysts' expectations, the company still is considered a good investment.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Though Dollar General's fourth-quarter sales growth came in at slightly below analysts' expectations, the company still is considered a good investment.

"Overall, longer term, the stock remains one of our top picks given the company's robust store growth opportunity and strong execution of its merchandising and operational initiatives," according to analysts at Bernstein Research.

March 18, 2011

Consumers can expect to find less packaging with their food and beverages in the coming years as manufacturers look to eliminate waste.

WASHINGTON — Consumers can expect to find less packaging with their food and beverages in the coming years as manufacturers look to eliminate waste.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association found that by 2020, 2.5 billion lbs. of waste is expected to be avoided. This is on top of the 1.5 billion lbs. of packaging avoided since 2005.

March 18, 2011

Tops Markets shoppers should expect to see something new on store shelves.

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. — Tops Markets shoppers should expect to see something new on store shelves.

The regional supermarket chain recently announced its implementation of nutrition scoring system NuVal, which allows consumers to see the nutritional value of foods they purchase by looking at the items' shelf tags. Tops, who will roll out the program in 1,000 stores, joins a breadth of retailers that have rolled out the NuVal system in their stores.

March 17, 2011

Rising gas prices will prompt consumers to be more mindful of their spending habits, according to Nielsen projections.

NEW YORK — Rising gas prices will prompt consumers to be more mindful of their spending habits, according to Nielsen projections.

In the United States, Nielsen noted, households could be paying an extra $52.50 with a 50-cent increase in gas prices, $105 with a $1 increase and $210 if prices jump up $2, prompting consumers to tighten their wallets. This will mirror historic trends, which include increased trip compression, more value-conscious shopping alternatives and increased use of coupons, Nielsen said.

March 14, 2011

Beginning in mid-March, the AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour will embark on another 10-month tour to provide an expected $14 million worth of free health tests.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Beginning in mid-March, the AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour will embark on another 10-month tour to provide an expected $14 million worth of free health tests.

March 9, 2011

You can expect to see quite a bit of co-promotional activity between PediaCare and Little Remedies in the 2011-2012 cough-cold season, Prestige Brands president and CEO Matthew Mannelly told investors Wednesday morning at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2011 Consumer Conference held here.

NEW YORK — You can expect to see quite a bit of co-promotional activity between PediaCare and Little Remedies in the 2011-2012 cough-cold season, Prestige Brands president and CEO Matthew Mannelly told investors Wednesday morning at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2011 Consumer Conference held here.

March 8, 2011

Safeway on Tuesday said that it expects to earn $1.60 to $1.80 per diluted share during the quarter, after the company's board approved a $1.1 billion dividend from Canada to the United States.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Tuesday said that it expects to earn $1.60 to $1.80 per diluted share during the quarter, after the company's board approved a $1.1 billion dividend from Canada to the United States.

The dividend, Safeway said during its 2011 investor conference, will be used to pay off $600 million of U.S. debt, and the company will use the remainder of the dividend for share repurchases.

February 24, 2011

Expect to see Heinz in a whole new way.

ATLANTA — Expect to see Heinz in a whole new way.

The company said it has entered a strategic partnership with Coca-Cola to implement the soft drink giant's PlantBottle packaging in the production of its Heinz Ketchup bottles. PlantBottle packaging is made of PET plastic bottles that are fully recyclable and use less nonrenewable resources than traditional PET plastic bottles, according to the companies. Heinz said the adoption of the PlantBottle technology will be the biggest change to its iconic ketchup bottles since they first introduced plastic in 1983.