Content about Information

September 9, 2011
SymphonyIRI: Brand value, not price, key to driving loyalty

SymphonyIRI Group on Thursday released a brand report highlighting what elements help drive brand selection and brand loyalty.

CHICAGO — SymphonyIRI Group on Thursday released a brand report highlighting what elements help drive brand selection and brand loyalty.

September 8, 2011
Sears names new supply chain leader

Sears Holdings announced that former UPS executive Raj Penkar is joining the company as SVP and president of the company's supply chain.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings announced that former UPS executive Raj Penkar is joining the company as SVP and president of the company's supply chain.

In his new role, Penkar will be accountable for all aspects of the company's supply chain, including logistics, warehousing, inventory management and distribution. Prior to joining Sears, Penkar worked at UPS for 24 years and most recently served as president of UPS' customer solutions division.

August 9, 2011
Online retail sales continue positive trend

Online U.S. retail spending in second quarter 2011 reached $37.5 billion for the quarter, up 14% versus a year ago, ComScore reported Monday.

RESTON, Va. — Online U.S. retail spending in second quarter 2011 reached $37.5 billion for the quarter, up 14% versus a year ago, ComScore reported Monday. This growth rate represented the seventh consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and third consecutive quarter of double-digit growth rates.

July 19, 2011
A&P introduces Live Better Baby Club

Grocer A&P announced on Monday the launch of a new program, Live Better Baby Club, which is designed to help customers save on their baby-related purchases.

MONTVALE, N.J. — Grocer A&P announced on Monday the launch of a new program, Live Better Baby Club, which is designed to help customers save on their baby-related purchases.

Members of the Live Better Baby Club will receive an automatic 10% discount on baby products every time they shop at A&P, Pathmark, Superfresh, Waldbaum's and The Food Emporium stores.

June 30, 2011
Consumers still concerned over state of economy, turn to Internet for deals

Concerns over the health of the economy are far from over, as evidenced by a SymphonyIRI Group survey released Wednesday that found consumers are taking even more steps to save money due to their ongoing financial concerns, including turning to the Internet in search of the best deals.

CHICAGO — Concerns over the health of the economy are far from over, as evidenced by a SymphonyIRI Group survey released Wednesday that found consumers are taking even more steps to save money due to their ongoing financial concerns, including turning to the Internet in search of the best deals.

List making and coupon clipping still are top of mind for consumers as they struggle with high gas prices and question their job stability. Additionally, the survey uncovered that consumers are turning to the Internet to find the best deals, SymphonyIRI said.

June 16, 2011
Triple Double Oreo gets a home on store shelves

First came the Double Stuf; now Nabisco is bringing "milk's favorite cookie" to a whole new level.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — First came the Double Stuf; now Nabisco is bringing "milk's favorite cookie" to a whole new level.

The latest Oreo innovation, called the Oreo Triple Double, is a sandwich cookie that features three pieces of chocolate wafers that are separated by chocolate and vanilla cream. Oreo Triple Double cookies are hitting store shelves this summer, the company confirmed.

June 7, 2011
SmartSource looks to curb coupon fraud with QR codes

SmartSource has enhanced its online coupons with Quick Response codes that can provide real-time identification of fraudulent coupons.

NEW YORK — SmartSource has enhanced its online coupons with Quick Response codes that can provide real-time identification of fraudulent coupons.

June 2, 2011
Mitchell Bowlus named ECRM president

The CFO of Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing is stepping into a new role.

CLEVELAND — The CFO of Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing is stepping into a new role.

ECRM said that Mitchell Bowlus, who co-founded the company with CEO Charlie Bowlus in 1993, is assuming the role of president. Charlie Bowlus will be transitioning to a greater focus on software development, as well as humanitarian initiatives, ECRM said.

“Mitch has been instrumental in developing our business model and strategies, as well as our strong financial foundation, and is uniquely positioned to take us to the next level as president,” Bowlus said.

May 23, 2011
Mack Elevation tackles new path to purchase

Success is often one of the biggest blind spots a company can have, because you’re so busy doing well you don’t have the time to assess what it is you’re doing.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Success is often one of the biggest blind spots a company can have, because you’re so busy doing well you don’t have the time to assess what it is you’re doing. That is one of the core reasons for being for the Mack Elevation Forum, “a share group on steroids,” described program founder Dan Mack, EVP of strategic business development for the Swanson Group, which hosted its most recent meeting on April 29 here at the Hilton Scottsdale.

April 13, 2011
ModiFace teams up with StriVectin

ModiFace, a provider of virtual makeover technologies, has partnered with anti-aging skin care company StriVectin to launch a virtual anti-aging results tool on StriVectin's site at StriVectin.com.

NEW YORK — ModiFace, a provider of virtual makeover technologies, has partnered with anti-aging skin care company StriVectin to launch a virtual anti-aging results tool on StriVectin's site at StriVectin.com.

April 6, 2011
Greenzys expands distribution

An eco-friendly children's brand that develops books, plush toys and animated content has expanded its distribution to more than 650 retailers.

LOS ANGELES — An eco-friendly children's brand that develops books, plush toys and animated content has expanded its distribution to more than 650 retailers.

Greenzys, which launched last year, is designed to entertain and educate, as well as encourage children to practice green living activities, the company said. Additionally, a percentage of every Greenzys purchase benefits the nonprofit Environmental Media Association.

April 1, 2011
Interbrand ranks top U.S. retail brands

Some of the nation's most popular retailers earned a spot on Interbrand's annual ranking of the 50 most valuable U.S. retail brands.

NEW YORK — Some of the nation's most popular retailers earned a spot on Interbrand's annual ranking of the 50 most valuable U.S. retail brands.

Walmart topped the list, with Target coming in the No. 2 spot, while CVS/pharmacy, Walgreens and Sam's Club respectively earned the fifth, sixth and seventh spots.

Other retailers on the list included Publix, Dollar General, Costco, Whole Foods and Family Dollar.

March 16, 2011
Chicago is Walmart's kind of town

Walmart has succeeded in bringing its smaller-format store concept to Chicago, helping to make the case that the retailer can find success in more urban markets, including New York, which thus far has eluded the retailer.

CHICAGO — Walmart has succeeded in bringing its smaller-format store concept to Chicago, helping to make the case that the retailer can find success in more urban markets, including New York, which thus far has eluded the retailer.

The company announced that it has secured locations in West Englewood for Walmart Market and Walmart Express stores. According to the company, West Englewood is in the heart of a food desert and is one of Chicago’s most underserved communities.

March 15, 2011
Pepsi develops PET bottle

PepsiCo said it significantly is reducing its carbon footprint through its development of a plant-based bottle.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — PepsiCo said it significantly is reducing its carbon footprint through its development of a plant-based bottle.

The company said its "green" PET bottle, made of such bio-based raw materials as switch grass, pine bark and corn husks, is 100% recyclable.

The announcement followed the company's rollout of "quieter" compostable bags for its SunChips brand.

PepsiCo will pilot production of the new bottle in 2012.

December 7, 2010
A new team for the New Year

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — As Walmart’s U.S. stores division looks to execute a broad slate of initiatives in the coming year to recharge domestic growth, it does so under the leadership of a new chief executive and a restructured merchandising organization.


October 18, 2010
Walgreens taps Bazaarvoice for social commerce platform

Walgreens has selected Bazaarvoice's social commerce suite to optimize its customers' experience, Bazaarvoice announced Monday....

July 18, 2010
Letters to the Editor

Upon reading your June 7 cover story, “7 Deadly Sins of SKU Rationalization,” we at...

Dear Editor,

Upon reading your June 7 cover story, “7 Deadly Sins of SKU Rationalization,” we at The Swanson Group/Mack Elevation Forum have identified 10 ways that a small- or mid-sized vendor can avoid being SKU-rationalized. Respectfully, we have offered them for fellow Drug Store News readers.

July 8, 2010
Brand loyalty has heavy hand in SKU rationalization game

The whole discussion around SKU rationalization -- or SKU optimization, depending upon your spin --...

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT The whole discussion around SKU rationalization -- or SKU optimization, depending upon your spin -- boils down to just one question: Just exactly how brand loyal is today’s shopper?

(THE NEWS: Report: Jewel-Osco SKU rationalization taken to new heights. For the full story, click here)

June 24, 2010
Kellogg recalls lots of certain breakfast cereals

Kellogg has implemented a voluntary recall of certain breakfast cereals due to an uncharacteristic off-flavor...

June 2, 2010
Blacksmith Brands recalls four PediaCare lines

In consultation with the Food and Drug Administration, Blacksmith Brands last week voluntarily recalled all...

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. In consultation with the Food and Drug Administration, Blacksmith Brands last week voluntarily recalled all lots of four children's products in the PediaCare line. The products were manufactured for Blacksmith Brands by McNeil Consumer Healthcare at McNeil's Fort Washington, Pa., plant.

 

The four PediaCare items involved in the recall are:

May 23, 2010
Study: Social, digital media have strong influence on retail traffic

A new report by Jones Lang LaSalle indicated that social and digital media is essential...

May 9, 2010
Quigley now ProPhase Labs

Following its annual shareholders meeting held here last week, shareholders voted to change the name...

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. Following its annual shareholders meeting held here last week, shareholders voted to change the name of the Quigley Corp. to ProPhase Labs Inc. The name change became effective as of Thursday, May 6. The new corporate Web site will be www.prophaselabs.com.