Content about Private

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Many American consumers are in favor of oral contraceptive coverage by both private and government-subsidized health insurance plans, according to a Thomson Reuters-National Press Radio Health Poll released Friday.

"Our survey findings provide a benchmark for public sentiment on issues that are continually dividing lawmakers, businesspeople and healthcare professionals," said Raymond Fabius, chief medical officer at the healthcare business of Thomson Reuters.

NEW YORK — The Private Label Manufacturers Association is highlighting brands that speak to Hispanic shoppers through a new pavilion that will be displayed at the group's 2011 Private Label Trade Show in November.

Expanding the role of pharmacy far beyond the counter has long been a hallmark of Kerr Drug’s business model, and the chain’s Kerr Community Health Center is one of the best examples. 


NEW YORK — Local retail pharmacies are not just a place to get a prescription filled; they also offer several perks that can help consumers save time and money and live healthier lives. That was a key message in a recent "CBS News" segment.

The "Drugstore bonuses" segment on April 19 showcased an article in the May issue of ShopSmart magazine that focused on how pharmacy services make drug stores and pharmacists an ideal resource for patients.

BOSTON — Boston Medical Center announced that it has received a $50,000 grant for the Autism Clinic from CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, the private foundation created by CVS Caremark.

BMC is one of 72 organizations selected from a pool of 660 applicants to receive an individual or multiyear grant for 2010. The grant will allow the Autism Clinic to develop a written behavioral curriculum for hands-on training for parents with low income and/or limited-English proficiency.

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle was named the largest Pittsburgh-area private company, with 2010 revenues of $8.6 billion, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in a report published Friday.

The Pittsburgh Business Times ranks the largest Pittsburgh-area private companies by 2010 revenue. Coming in at No. 6 on the list was Gateway Health Plan, with $1.4 billion in revenue. GNC ranked No. 4 with $1.8 billion in 2010 revenue.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Delhaize America is emphasizing its private-brand assortments, the supermarket conglomerate reported in its earnings release.

Delhaize said it forged ahead with its New Game Plan, which includes "important price investments," and noted that its U.S. operating companies — which include such banners as Food Lion, Bottom Dollar and Hannaford — are reinforcing their private-brand assortments through the introduction of a new value line called My Essentials.

SALISBURY, N.C. — The push of private label at retail continues to gain momentum as Food Lion kicked off a promotion whereby shoppers can earn up to $10 in free groceries every time they buy private-brand products.

The promotion, dubbed the Private Brand Super Sale, begins March 2 and runs through March 29.

Each time customers shop at Food Lion during the Private Brand Super Sale and purchase at least four Food Lion or Home 360 products using their Food Lion MVP card, they earn a money-saving coupon.

Rising commodity costs and brutal competition have been squeezing profits from the ready-to-eat cereal category. Dollar sales for the 52-week period ended Dec. 26, 2010, were down 3%, according to SymphonyIRI Group. Sue Viamari, editor of SymphonyIRI’s Times and Trends, said the category has been in decline during the past several quarters, and there was a 0.7% decline in price per volume during the same period.


WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — "Try the brand of health-and-wellness products our pharmacists recommend," reads a new ad from Walgreens that hit Sunday papers this past weekend, extolling the virtues of the Walgreens store brand. This should serve as a wake-up call to the vendor community — particularly, over-the-counter manufacturers — that retailers are putting a greater emphasis on private label than ever before.

ATLANTA — Nationwide rates of asthma have been on the rise in recent years, though they’ve risen at a slow pace, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the report, released Wednesday, around 24.6 million people in the United States had asthma in 2009, meaning a prevalence of 8.2%. Rates have risen by around 1.2% per year since 2001, with asthma attack prevalence staying between 3.9% and 4.3% between 1997 and 2009.