Content about Hy-Vee

REDLANDS, Calif. — Midwestern supermarket chain Hy-Vee is expanding its use of a mapping platform made by geographic information systems firm Esri to aid its real estate decision-making, Esri said Wednesday.

Esri said this would allow Hy-Vee to enhance its site selection, using location analytics that combine demographic and psychographic data.

NEW YORK — Two Hy-Vee stores in Iowa will start composting food waste, produce and floral trimmings, according to published reports.

The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gazette reported that Hy-Vee stores in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids had partnered with Des Moines, Iowa-based organics recycler Green RU, which will pick up the waste from the stores and haul it to nearby compost centers. The newspaper reported that the company was considering whether to expand the pilot program throughout the chain.

NEW YORK — DSN has reported for many years on the emergence of dietitians in supermarket pharmacies, and an article that appeared in Advertising Age Sunday confirms how big the trend has become.

The advertising industry publication reported that while traditionally found more often at hospitals, dietitians are appearing at supermarket chains like Hy-Vee, Wegmans and Giant Eagle.

CHEROKEE, Iowa — The Hy-Vee Drugstore in Cherokee, Iowa, will merge with the company's supermarket in the town next month, the supermarket pharmacy chain said Wednesday.

"Having all our pharmacists together at the same location creates a more efficient operation and enables us to add Sunday hours, a service customers have requested," Hy-Vee assistant VP operations for the company's northwest district Tim Stupka said.

NEW YORK — Hy-Vee's new store in Overland Park, Kan., will include a beer and wine bar, according to published reports.

The Kansas City Star reported that the company's new store would be the first in the Kansas City, Mo., area to offer such a bar and one of the few in the country to do so.

Many of Hy-Vee's newest stores throughout the Midwest already include sushi bars, cafes and other food-service venues in addition to traditional supermarket products and services.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The retired head of Midwestern supermarket chain Hy-Vee took home the top honor at a recent supermarket industry conference.

The Food Marketing Institute said Monday that it gave its most prestigious honor — the Sidney R. Rabb Award for excellence in serving the consumer, the community and the industry — to retired Hy-Vee chairman and CEO Ric Jurgens at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference.

ANKENY, Iowa — A supermarket chain and a convenience store chain in the Midwest have launched a program that they said would allow customers to save on gasoline at all their stores.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — A Midwestern supermarket-pharmacy chain is taking part in an event that's part of a program whose stated goal is to make Iowa the healthiest state in the country.

Hy-Vee announced that more than 100 of its stores would take part in the second Healthiest State Walk on Wednesday. Hy-Vee stores will help organize the one-kilometer walks in their communities and offer prizes to encourage people, businesses and schools to participate.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Specialty pharmacy is one of the fastest-growing segments of pharmacy today, but only a minority of specialty drugs that end up in patients' hands are dispensed through retail pharmacy channels.

But with the growing importance of specialty due to the aging population and the commoditization of the market for primary care drugs, more retailers want in on the action, so it wouldn't be in their interest to have PBMs conquer too big a share of the market.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — State fair cuisine usually is one of those things people should avoid if they care about their cholesterol level and waistline. But one retail chain is offering an alternative at the Iowa State Fair's opening ceremonies.

URBANDALE, Iowa — Hy-Vee will close a store in central Iowa to prepare for the opening of a new store next door that the company called its "most innovative."

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — After announcing the retirement of its leader last December, Hy-Vee has named a new chairman and CEO.

The retailer said its president and COO, Randy Edeker, will become chairman, president and CEO, effective June 1. Edeker, 30-year veteran of Hy-Vee, replaces Ric Jurgens, who has served as Hy-Vee CEO since 2003 and chairman since 2006. Back in December 2011, Jurgens announced his intention to retire and nominate Edeker as his successor.