Content about Franchises

WESTLAKE, Ohio — TravelCenters of America, operator of the TA and Petro Stopping Centers travel center brands, on Wednesday launched its "Get Moving. Stay Fit." program designed to help professional drivers live a healthier lifestyle by focusing on nutrition and physical fitness.

The program was designed in cooperation with the President’s Challenge, the premier program of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.

NEW YORK — Rite Aid board member Michel Coutu has resigned, effective Wednesday, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

Coutu's notification follows an announcement by The Jean Coutu Group Tuesday that it had sold 72.5 million Rite Aid shares, reducing its stake in the company to 11.7%.

In addition, board member and former chairman Mary Sammons notified the company Wednesday that she wouldn't seek reelection as a director at its annual shareholder meeting.

It has been just over a year since Frank Scorpiniti took the helm at Canada's Rexall Pharma Plus. And, as the Canadian retail market continues to heat up, the company has officially taken the lid off a reinvention of its business, from its stores and its brand, to the products and services in its stores.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews on Monday received her flu shot from a Rexall Pharma Plus pharmacist, kicking off the annual Ontario flu vaccination campaign.

“Getting a flu shot for Ontarians will be as easy as visiting any Rexall Pharma Plus pharmacy,” stated Frank Scorpiniti, CEO of Rexall Pharma Plus. “With over 250 locations and 700 certified pharmacists in Ontario, Rexall Pharma Plus makes it easy to receive flu shots any time, any day, no appointment needed.”

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Through the support of Rexall’s vendors and partners, Rexall’s annual vendor golf classic raised more than Canadian $250,000 for the Rexall Foundation earlier this month.

The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research received a C$10,000 donation at the Aug. 14 event.  The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research is an organization dedicated to eliminating the challenges of Prader-Willi Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, through the advancement of research.

LONGUEUIL, Quebec — Canadian retail pharmacy operator the Jean Coutu Group posted big increases in sales and profits that stemmed in large part from its sale earlier this year of much of its stake in U.S. retail pharmacy chain Rite Aid.

LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- The Jean Coutu Group has sold 56 million of its approximately 234.4 million shares in Rite Aid, the company said Friday.

The Canadian retailing group said the $83.6 million, $1.51-per-share sale, which amounts to a nearly 24% reduction in the number of Rite Aid shares the company owns, would reduce its stake in Camp Hill, Pa.-based Rite Aid to 19.85%. The Jean Coutu group still owns about 178.4 million shares in the 4,667-store chain.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The move by Katz Group to shed its independent and franchise businesses marks a shift in the Canadian market and likely sets the stage for even more changes north of the border. And while it remains unclear just how the pharmacy retail landscape in Canada will look in the years ahead, what is clear is that the winds of change are blowing, and industry eyes will remain fixed on the Canadian market, perhaps now more than ever.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it is helping customers prepare for tax season by offering low-cost tax preparation services and free in-store federal form 1040EZ filing. The retailer also will provide $3 and $6 check-cashing services.

"We believe Americans shouldn't have to pay exorbitant prices on their everyday financial needs," almart Financial Services VP Daniel Eckert said. "It's their money and we want to make sure they can cash checks, pay bills and transfer money at a low price."

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — The retirement of Katz Group Canada CEO Andy Giancamilli come February will mark the rise of pharmacy veteran Frank Scorpiniti, who will take the helm of the Canadian retailer.


Scorpiniti joined Katz Group Canada in April 2011 as COO. Long regarded as one of the bright young executives in retail pharmacy, Scorpiniti now will get a chance to lead a progressive Canadian pharmacy chain, with a hot new Rexall Healthy Living concept, a national presence under Rexall and a slew of innovative programs like the employer-based Rexall Network program.


NEW YORK — The Mondays Campaigns — a nonprofit organization founded in 2005 in association with Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins'  Bloomberg School of Public Health and Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications — is bringing its Healthy Monday initiative to Piggly Wiggly Carolina in September.

Beauty junkies in Canada have a new option when shopping for products. A new format recently unveiled by Katz Group Canada’s flagship Rexall drug store chain is aimed at making its stores “an innovative health destination.”


The Rexall Healthy Living Pharmacy format features a combined skin care and beauty care department. The goal: to focus on derm versus just cosmetics.