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NEW YORK — Safeway will package $150 million in real healthcare savings into an overall wellness strategy to be implemented over the course of 2013, the grocer's chairman and CEO Steve Burd told analysts Thursday morning at the Goldman Sachs 19th Annual Global Retailing Conference. 

TORONTO — Shoppers Drug Mart is celebrating its 50th anniversary in September, and in a lead up to the landmark anniversary, the chain is inviting Canadians to join the party by submitting their own Shoppers Drug Mart moments via the interactive "50 Fabulous Years" digital hub that will launch on Aug. 13.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Alliance Boots on Thursday announced the completion of Walgreens' initial investment in the strategic partnership following receipt of all required regulatory approvals. 

The Walgreens investment consists of approximately $4 billion in cash and 83.4 million shares of Walgreens common stock in exchange for a 45% equity stake in Alliance Boots. Walgreens has the option to proceed to a full combination in approximately three years’ time by acquiring the remaining 55% of Alliance Boots.

Incorporated into the new store formats currently being rolled out by both Walgreens and Rite Aid is a new store associate position with the primary function of proactively engaging customers in the OTC aisle. Walgreens calls them Health Guides; Rite Aid calls them Wellness Ambassadors.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals has appointed Lisa DeFrancesco as its VP global investor relations, the company said Friday.

Succeeding Patricia Eisenhaur, who will leave the company on June 1, DeFrancesco will report directly to chief communications officer Charles Mayr. She will be responsible for investor relations programs and serve as the company's principal spokeswoman and point of contact with the analyst and investment community.

PALM BEACH, Fla. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has elected new officers for the coming year.

For the 2012-2013 term, NACDS chairman Bob Loeffler, who also serves as chief administrative officer of H-E-B, will be succeeded by Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson. Thrifty White Pharmacy president and CEO Bob Narveson was elected as vice chairman, while Rite Aid president and CEO John Standley was appointed as treasurer, as well as a member of NACDS' executive committee. Wasson, Narveson and Standley will serve one-year terms.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Monday evening promoted Robert Edwards to president of the company. Edwards had served as Safeway's EVP and CFO since 2004.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart said Thursday it is continuing its annual tradition of increasing shareholder payout by raising its dividend by 9%.

Walmart will pay a quarterly dividend of 39.75 cents on April 4 to shareholders of record on March 12. That works out to $1.59 per share for the year. The company has increased its dividend every year since its first declared dividend in March 1974.

According to Walmart president and CEO Mike Duke, the company's U.S. business is back on track, and international results remain strong.

TORONTO — Royal Bank of Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart are launching a nationwide program that makes it more convenient for Canadians to bank and earn rewards at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix locations throughout the country.

CHICAGO — Walgreens on Tuesday brought the latest example of its flagship retail pharmacy to life here in Chicago, tantalizing its hometown crowd with departments most shoppers normally wouldn't associate with a pharmacy: a fully stocked sushi bar, quick-and-fresh deli offerings and a self-serve yogurt bar adjacent to a juice bar that, along with the healthy-for-you selection of juice, offers the “double-rich chocolate malted milk” that the retailer invented in 1922.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — In an effort to help shoppers find last-minute deals and gifts, Rite Aid announced that more than 4,500 of its stores will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Dec. 23.

In addition to the extensive hours, the company also said that many of its locations will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Consumers are encourage to visit RiteAid.com/stores for local store hours, including 24-hour locations.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Shoppers who were out in full force on Black Friday may not walk retail aisles again until just before Christmas — when retailers are expected to heavily discount merchandise — according to the latest America's Research Group/UBS "Christmas Forecast."