Content about Retail

CHICAGO — Men are an ideal target for online beauty and beauty retailers may want to consider expanding more marketing efforts to further leverage this growing opportunity, according to recent research from Mintel.

The ease and convenience features of online shopping appeal to some 60% of men ages 18 of 34 years who buy beauty products and agree that buying online is more convenient than shopping in store. This compares with 52% of women of the same age and 41% of their older male counterparts (ages 55 years and older), according to Mintel.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — More than 274 billion Free Standing Insert coupons were distributed in 2012, marking a 0.8% increase in activity versus 2011, as retailer promotion pages also rose by 5.2% during the year with Walmart snagging the top spot followed by Walgreens, according to Kantar Media.

COMMERCE, Calif. — Fueled by strong store growth and increased household penetration, dollar stores have been stepping outside of their comfort zone in pursuit of consumer trips that have historically belonged to retail pharmacy. 

NEW YORK — The use of retail-based health clinics and worksite facilities has increased in recent years, thanks in large part to a combination of quality, accessibility and affordability, according to a new Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll.

The online survey of more than 3,000 U.S. adults, which was conducted in early December, found that 27% of all adults surveyed said they have used either walk-in retail clinics (19%) or work-based clinics (11%) to obtain medical care in the past two years. That compares with 7% in 2008.

GUILFORD, Conn. — ScarAway Silicone Scar Sheets, designed for the treatment and prevention of both hypertrophic and keloid scars, are making their debut in 3,400 Walmart locations across the United States, the manufacturer has announced. 

Once available only through hospitals, burn centers and plastic surgeons, the professional grade silicone sheeting is designed to bring the ultimate in noninvasive, drug-free scar management home. The sheets use patented silicone technology to shrink, flatten and fade scars, both old and new. 

TORONTO — More than half of U.S. consumers would not recommend a particular pharmacy to family and friends, according to a new report by a Canadian customer experience management firm.

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. — Ulta Beauty announced on Friday that holiday sales experienced robust double-digit growth as sales “strongly” rebounded the weekend before Christmas.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday announced that all Walgreens locations will host a "Night at the W" to celebrate the retail pharmacy operator's involvement in the People's Choice Awards. "The People's Choice Awards 2013" airs Jan. 9 on CBS; the "Night at the W" will take place the following day between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Though total same-store sales were down 8%, Walgreens Friday morning characterized a first quarter lifted by a steady influx of returning Express Scripts patients and driven by a steady stream of new Balance Rewards members. The Chicagotown retailer has signed 45 million Walgreens faithful since mid-September. "Today, we have the wind at our backs as we head into a new calendar year," Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson told analysts Friday morning.  

CHICAGO — Revamping the center store could present an opportunity worth more than $440 billion for supermarkets, according to a new study by SymphonyIRI.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — A single lot of a congestion-relief product has been recalled due to bacterial contamination found in a sample, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens will keep stores open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to allow last-minute Christmas shopping, the retail pharmacy chain said Wednesday.

This includes 1,600 24-hour locations that will be open around the clock, while most Walgreens stores will stay open until midnight through Dec. 23, and nearly all stores will be open during regular hours on Christmas Eve, including pharmacies, which will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. On Christmas, non-24-hour stores will be open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and pharmacies will be open at 24-hour stores.