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February 1, 2011
Giant Eagle’s HBW format takes flight under Heiser’s watchful eye

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle may be a regional player, but the company’s willingness to experiment with its pharmacy formats — including its latest HBW/pharmacy store-within-a-store concept — proves that it can shake things up.


In fall 2009, Giant Eagle put into motion its health, beauty, wellness pilot tests — a new wellness format that helps bridge the prescription files of the pharmacy with the natural health-and-wellness opportunities across the front end.

February 1, 2011
Health Mart’s Canning makes good on goal to help indies compete

SAN FRANCISCO — For some guys, it’s just in their blood. That’s definitely the case for Tim Canning — you can say he was born into this business.


Canning, 1-of-8 children of the late, great Fred Canning — who, as president and COO of Walgreens during the late ’70s and ’80s, led a major turnaround of the company — is no doubt making his father incredibly proud these days, as he leads McKesson’s 2,700-plus-strong Health Mart stores, the fastest-growing pharmacy franchise operation in America.


February 1, 2011
Living Essentials brings shots of energy to shelves

“Do you know what 2:30 in the afternoon feels like?” Not if you have Living Essentials’ 5-Hour Energy on the shelf. The company peppered the airwaves with its commercial message, positioning 5-Hour Energy shots as an alternative to coffee for those 30-somethings in the work force.


NOVI, Mich. — “Do you know what 2:30 in the afternoon feels like?” Not if you have Living Essentials’ 5-Hour Energy on the shelf. The company peppered the airwaves with its commercial message, positioning 5-Hour Energy shots as an alternative to coffee for those 30-somethings in the work force.


February 1, 2011
Loyalty program under Montini’s tenure is a big plus for Rite Aid

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Tony Montini returned to Rite Aid just in time to help leverage what is becoming a very powerful Wellness+ loyalty card program that has cracked the code for the chain in terms of tying the front-end to the back bench by way of the patient. 


And while Montini returns to the retail ranks as SVP category management, he is well-prepared to make Wellness+ work gangbusters with the supplier community. His background is in corporate marketing with advertising agency Marc USA, where he was EVP and COO. 


February 1, 2011
Magnacca’s expertise warrants a close look at DR’s innovations

NEW YORK — In recent years, Duane Reade has gone from simply being Manhattan’s homegrown pharmacy chain to a truly innovative retailer with unique product offerings and marketing concepts that even the biggest retailers can learn from. And there’s no doubt that Joe Magnacca has been instrumental in the chain’s turnaround.


February 1, 2011
Matherly finds extra space in Sam’s ‘Portfolio’ for health, wellness

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The Project 
Portfolio initiative at Sam’s Club may sound a lot like Walmart’s less-than-successful Project Impact undertaking, but the key distinction is that Sam’s variant of the strategic initiative has important ramifications for the health-and-wellness area. Overseeing those departments is Sam’s Club vet Todd Matherly, VP and divisional merchandise manager of health and wellness following a promotion last year.


February 1, 2011
N.Y. authorized paternity test 
finds home at Duane Reade

SALT LAKE CITY — Identigene last month began placing its Identigene DNA paternity test kit on the shelves of New York-based Duane Reade pharmacies after meeting the more restrictive testing requirements for the state.


February 1, 2011
New exec Mac Naughton pursuing familiar strategy at Walmart

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Duncan Mac Naughton, recently promoted to chief merchandising officer for Walmart’s U.S. stores division, has an opportunity to be a hero at Walmart as the nation’s largest retailer looks to restore sales growth at its U.S. stores this year and beyond.


February 1, 2011
NewsBytes on CVS’ Merlo, Walmart health efforts, Michel now at Sears and more

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The next chapter for CVS Caremark officially is under way. The company last month officially named Larry Merlo CEO, effective March 1. Tom Ryan will remain nonexecutive chairman until his retirement in May. Prior to the news, Merlo had been president and COO.

February 1, 2011
Optimizing SKU lineup equals success with Curtis at Costco

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Vic Curtis has come a long way since he began working for Costco Wholesale in 1991 as a pharmacy manager. 


Recently, he was promoted to SVP pharmacy and has seen action in prescription and OTC merchandising, pharmacy operations, mail-order and Internet-based pharmacy, and pharmacy benefit management services, as part of Costco’s team led by Charlie Burnett, the “dean” of Costco’s pharmacy/health and beauty business.

February 1, 2011
Photo trends shift; focus turns to cards, books

As photo processing continues to evolve, retailers are finding new ways to make the department profitable. Bing Liem, VP sales for Fujifilm North America, said retailers need to re-evaluate their existing on-site photo business.


As photo processing continues to evolve, retailers are finding new ways to make the department profitable. Bing Liem, VP sales for Fujifilm North America, said retailers need to re-evaluate their existing on-site photo business.


“It’s critical to maximize the use of existing assets,” he said. New product offerings, such as posters, folded cards, calendars and books, help maximize the value of the category, Liem said.


February 1, 2011
Prevention focus shapes dieting

According to the Calorie Control Council, an international association representing the low-calorie and reduced-fat food and beverage industry, a focus on weight-gain prevention will help shape dieting attitudes in 2011.

According to the Calorie Control Council, an international association representing the low-calorie and reduced-fat food and beverage industry, a focus on weight-gain prevention will help shape dieting attitudes in 2011. And newly released dietary guidelines from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services urge people to eat more fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, foods with omega-3 fatty acids and low-calorie dairy products.


February 1, 2011
Pugh’s customer-centric approach boosts Walgreens’ momentum

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A veteran of Walmart and Tesco, Walgreens VP merchandising Bryan Pugh brought a more analytical and customer-targeted approach to front-end merchandising. His oft-stated mission: to oversee, in coordination with the company’s Customer Centric Retailing initiative and other renewal efforts, a more cost-effective and more compelling merchandising strategy.


February 1, 2011
ReportersNotebook — Beauty Care, 2/7/11

SUPPLIER NEWS — JocottBrands, a developer and marketer of branded consumer products, has introduced its new Argan Magic hair care line exclusively at CVS/pharmacy. The products are made with Argan Oil, a natural oil that is native to Morocco and derived from the crushed fruit and nuts of the Argan tree. The trio of Argan Magic products includes Intensive hair oil, Nourishing hair cream and Restorative hair mask. Prices are $7.99 to $9.99.



February 1, 2011
ReportersNotebook — Chain Pharmacy, 2/7/11

SUPPLIER NEWS — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug made by Watson Pharmaceuticals for cancer-related breakthrough pain, Watson said. The drug is a generic version of Cephalon’s Fentora, which had sales of around $179 million during the 12-month period ended in November 2010, according to IMS Health.





February 1, 2011
Skin care: Anti-aging goods perk up sales

As expected, advancements in technology and women’s reluctance to trade down in a segment that promises to ward off the signs of aging have spelled continued growth for anti-aging skin care products.


As expected, advancements in technology and women’s reluctance to trade down in a segment that promises to ward off the signs of aging have spelled continued growth for anti-aging skin care products.


“Manufacturers continue to introduce new active ingredients ... while advanced anti-aging formulas are spilling over from the premium segment into the mass channel,” stated Euromonitor International in its most recent U.S. skin care report.

 

February 1, 2011
Squishy surprise

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Brand Vending has added multipacks to its lineup of Sqwishland collectible animals. The new six- and 12-pack Sqwishlander Surprise Mix collections contain an assortment of regular, rare and ultra-rare squishies. The six-packs sell for $4.99, and 12-packs retail for $9.99.


February 1, 2011
Survey: Tech helps relieve care burden on sandwich boomers

BETHESDA, Md. — It’s technology, and lots of it, that will be relieving the burden of caregiving for today’s sandwich generation — those baby boomers faced with caring for their senior parents while at the same time managing a teenager at home.


A new survey released last month by the National Alliance for Caregiving and UnitedHealthcare found that more than two-thirds of family caregivers are interested in technology to help them with caregiving.


February 1, 2011
Telehealth innovation takes the stage at CES

LAS VEGAS — While Apple’s iPad and the long line of next-generation electronic tablets hitting the market this year may have been the “sexy” items at last month’s Consumer Electronics Show, it was the unprecedented number of healthcare-related consumer electronics that better served as a harbinger of what’s to come.

February 1, 2011
Three issues that will define 2011

Years 2009 and 2010 were up and down for the generic drug industry and its main trade group, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association. On one hand, there were the departures of president and CEO Kathleen Jaeger and member company Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.

February 1, 2011
Touch of ‘Finesse’

STAMFORD, Conn. — Lornamead is bringing innovation to hair care with its new Finesse Clean + Simple line, the first 
dermatologist-tested hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner for the mass market. Until now, those with sensitive skin or allergies had to turn to pricey specialty or salon products, stated Randy Sloan, president of Lornamead. 


February 1, 2011
WAG expands diabetic outreach with DRIF alliance

Hollywood, Fla. — The chain that wants to be the top retail destination for wellness has added another plank to its accessible care platform.


Walgreens has allied with the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation to launch a new partnership aimed at helping an estimated 200,000-plus Broward County, Fla., residents affected by diabetes. The new initiative, called Diabetes Research Institute Live Well Broward County, is a joint effort of the DRIF, Walgreens, LifeScan and South Florida physicians.


February 1, 2011
Weight-loss shelf winner

SALT LAKE CITY — “Biggest Loser” trainer Jillian Michaels continues to dominate flab on the small screen and at the diet shelf, too. Last month’s NBC mid-season premier captured 9 million viewers, up 14% from its previous season end, according to published reports. And Jillian Michaels diet aids garnered $20.8 million, up 273.7%, for the 52 weeks ended Dec. 26, 2010, according to SymphonyIRI Group data across food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart).


February 1, 2011
Zipnosis: Giant leap forward for retail health

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Convenient care industry pioneer Kevin Smith took a leap more than 10 years ago and helped create the successful nurse practitioner-staffed retail clinic concept. Today, the industry trailblazer is embarking on a new venture to further revolutionize access to health care. Enter Zipnosis.com.


February 1, 2011
‘Constant newness’ makes gum sales pop


Continued product innovation in the sugarless gum segment helped push dollar sales ahead nearly 5% for the 12 weeks ended Nov. 28, 2010, according to SymphonyIRI Group.



Continued product innovation in the sugarless gum segment helped push dollar sales ahead nearly 5% for the 12 weeks ended Nov. 28, 2010, according to SymphonyIRI Group.


“Constant newness has been driving the category, and as manufacturers continue to invest in advertising, consumer interest remains high,” said Lisbeth Echeandia, VP trade marketing for consulting group Frey Enterprises.