Content about TORONTO

May 15, 2013

Canadian retail pharmacy chain Shoppers Drug Mart is offering a range of products for the summer, as well as tips for enjoying the season safely.

TORONTO — Canadian retail pharmacy chain Shoppers Drug Mart is offering a range of products for the summer, as well as tips for enjoying the season safely.

The 1,240-store chain said it would offer a selection of products for outdoor entertaining, road trips, summer beauty and first aid and information on choosing the right sunscreen, sunglasses and barbecue recipes.

May 9, 2013

Shoppers Drug Mart opened in late 2012 its revamped BeautyBoutique in the Bayview Village store in Toronto.

TORONTO — Shoppers Drug Mart opened in late 2012 its revamped BeautyBoutique in the Bayview Village store in Toronto. The space, which is just over 4,000 sq. ft., offers shoppers an upscale beauty experience with brands that weren't previously available in a BeautyBoutique, but had been available at its Murale store.

The new format also features play stations, where shoppers can touch and feel the cosmetic lines, and fragrance-testing stations so customers can try before they buy.

April 25, 2013

TORONTO — Shoppers Drug Mart announced on Thursday that first quarter sales rose 3.8% thanks to strong volume in pharmacy and continued sales and market share gains at the front end. The company also indicated that it remains on the acquisition track and is "carefully" watching as Target bolsters its presence in Canada.

April 21, 2013

Canadian pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart is further elevating the beauty experience with its newly opened BeautyBoutique.

Canadian pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart is further elevating the beauty experience with its newly opened BeautyBoutique.

This BeautyBoutique opened in November 2012 in an existing Shoppers Drug Mart store in Bayview Village in Toronto, Ontario. It is just over 4,000 sq. ft., which is approximately 1,500 sq. ft. larger than a traditional BeautyBoutique.

April 19, 2013

A new action plan and panel discussion aim to improve Canada's healthcare system and save $8.5 billion to $11 billion over three years at various levels of government.

TORONTO — A new action plan and panel discussion aim to improve Canada's healthcare system and save $8.5 billion to $11 billion over three years at various levels of government.

The plan, "9,000 Points of Care: Improving Access to Affordable Healthcare," outlines five initiatives, including allowing pharmacists to administer vaccines and prescribe medications for minor ailments. The title refers to the number of community pharmacies in Canada.

March 28, 2013

News Marketing Canada, the company behind the SmartSource brand of consumer savings products and services, has signed an exclusive agreement with Canadian pharmacy retailer Rexall to provide instant, print-at-home online coupons on Rexall.ca, the company has announced.

TORONTO — News Marketing Canada, the company behind the SmartSource brand of consumer savings products and services, has signed an exclusive agreement with Canadian pharmacy retailer Rexall to provide instant, print-at-home online coupons on Rexall.ca, the company has announced.

Rexall's website will feature coupons from the SmartSource.ca Online Coupon Network, as well as Rexall-exclusive coupons for a wide variety of grocery and drug brands. Coupons are available on rexall.ca, effective immediately.

March 27, 2013

With the prevalence of chronic disease conditions on the rise, Great-West Life, a provider of drug plan management solutions, and Canadian pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart have entered into an agreement to introduce two new health support programs for Great-West Life clients.

TORONTO — With the prevalence of chronic disease conditions on the rise, Great-West Life, a provider of drug plan management solutions, and Canadian pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart have entered into an agreement to introduce two new health support programs for Great-West Life clients.

February 13, 2013

Canadian pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart and RBC Insurance have announced the launch of co-branded travel insurance product offerings to be sold exclusively online through the Shoppers Drug Mart website beginning Feb. 16.

TORONTO — Canadian pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart and RBC Insurance have announced the launch of co-branded travel insurance product offerings to be sold exclusively online through the Shoppers Drug Mart website beginning Feb. 16.

February 7, 2013

Despite continuing to face regulatory headwinds in the Canadian market, executives at Canadian pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart were “pleased” with fourth-quarter results and indicated that the company will continue to pursue acquisition opportunities.

TORONTO — Despite continuing to face regulatory headwinds in the Canadian market, executives at Canadian pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart were “pleased” with fourth-quarter results and indicated that the company will continue to pursue acquisition opportunities.

February 5, 2013

Target has made its REDcard cards available for customers at its Canadian stores, the mass merchandise retailer said.

TORONTO — Target has made its REDcard cards available for customers at its Canadian stores, the mass merchandise retailer said.

January 30, 2013

Most retailers in Canada are ready for a phase-out of 1-cent coins, a national retailing trade group said Wednesday.

TORONTO — Most retailers in Canada are ready for a phase-out of 1-cent coins, a national retailing trade group said Wednesday.

The Retail Council of Canada said the majority of the country's retail businesses were prepared for the disappearance of the penny and will follow the government's proposals for determining prices.

January 11, 2013

Unilever’s Axe is going where only few have gone before by giving guys the ultimate out-of-this-world experience: A trip to space. To recruit guys for the journey, Axe is creating the Axe Apollo Space Academy with one of the first men to walk on the moon, Buzz Aldrin.

TORONTO — Unilever’s Axe is going where only few have gone before by giving consumers the ultimate out-of-this-world experience: A trip to space.  To recruit consumers for the journey, Axe is creating the Axe Apollo Space Academy with one of the first men to walk on the moon, Buzz Aldrin.

January 7, 2013

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.

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.

December 19, 2012

Customer service is the key driver of brand advocacy in retail pharmacy, according to a new study.

TORONTO — Customer service is the key driver of brand advocacy in retail pharmacy, according to a new study.

November 13, 2012

Waiving $2 co-pays in Ontario is a big piece of the reason behind a 6% lift in prescriptions dispensed for the third quarter through Oct. 6, Shoppers Drug Mart reported Tuesday afternoon.

TORONTO – Waiving $2 co-pays in Ontario is a big piece of the reason behind a 6% lift in prescriptions dispensed for the third quarter through Oct. 6, Shoppers Drug Mart reported Tuesday afternoon. It's all part of a strategy to drive more seniors — and their prescriptions — into the store, executives told analysts. "We're seeing store gains across the country," noted Domenic Pilla, Shoppers president and CEO. "The incremental script count is above our initial expectations," he said.

November 13, 2012

Towers Watson on Tuesday announced that it has selected Loblaw Companies as the preferred pharmacy services provider for its Towers Watson Canadian Rx Coalition, a collaborative network of private sector drug plan sponsors.

TORONTO — Towers Watson on Tuesday announced that it has selected Loblaw Companies as the preferred pharmacy services provider for its Towers Watson Canadian Rx Coalition, a collaborative network of private sector drug plan sponsors. 

The arrangement with Loblaw is expected to improve employers' ability to offer their employees access to a robust range of drug store health resources and support overall health and wellness needs while enabling long-term sustainability of their benefits programs in the face of rising costs. 

November 6, 2012

Target is supporting up-and-coming Canadian fashion designers through a partnership with the Toronto Fashion Incubator, the company said Tuesday.

TORONTO — Target is supporting up-and-coming Canadian fashion designers through a partnership with the Toronto Fashion Incubator, the company said Tuesday.

Target announced the partnership with the incubator for the annual TFI New Labels fashion-design competition, the winner of which will receive a C$25,000 cash award and will get to have his or her exclusive collection sold in Target stores across Canada in 2014.

November 5, 2012

Industry leaders at an annual retail pharmacy conference in Canada got a look at a kiosk that allows patients to order prescription drugs through an Internet connection.

TORONTO — Industry leaders at an annual retail pharmacy conference in Canada got a look at a kiosk that allows patients to order prescription drugs through an Internet connection.

TCE Group announced the introduction of its Pharma Kiosk, or PK+ terminal at the annual meeting of the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores in Toronto.

October 31, 2012

Shrink costs Canadian retailers almost C$4 billion per year, according to a new report.

TORONTO — Shrink costs Canadian retailers almost C$4 billion per year, according to a new report.

The report, released Wednesday by PwC and the Retail Council of Canada and based on a survey of 34 retailers from across Canada, estimated that retailers in Canada lose about C$10.8 million per shopping day to theft by customers and employees, counting mistakes and organized crime. Cosmetics and fragrances, alcohol and women's clothing were the three most popular items to steal, according to the report.

October 9, 2012

In light of a decision by the Ontario government to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists to include administering flu shots, Shoppers Drug Mart has announced that it will offer vaccination clinics in more than 750 stores in Ontario and across Canada.

TORONTO — In light of a decision by the Ontario government to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists to include administering flu shots, Shoppers Drug Mart has announced that it will offer vaccination clinics in more than 750 stores in Ontario and across Canada.

Under the new regulations, pharmacists in Ontario now can administer flu immunization by injection or inhalation to a patient who is 5 years of age and older.

October 3, 2012

Procter & Gamble’s hair care brand Pantene has announced that Canadian actress, philanthropist and star Lisa Ray is the new Pantene Beautiful Lengths ambassador in Canada; who will encourage Canadians to grow and share their hair for cancer.

TORONTO — Procter & Gamble’s hair care brand Pantene has announced that Canadian actress, philanthropist and star Lisa Ray is the new Pantene Beautiful Lengths ambassador in Canada; who will encourage Canadians to grow and share their hair for cancer.

Since 2008, Pantene Beautiful Lengths has inspired Canadians to grow, cut and donate their healthy-looking hair to provide real-hair wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments — at no cost.

September 28, 2012

In support of Shoppers Drug Mart’s ongoing commitment to women’s health, the company and its associate-owners have announced that the 11th annual Tree of Life campaign will run from Sept. 29 to Oct. 26.

TORONTO — In support of Shoppers Drug Mart’s ongoing commitment to women’s health, the company and its associate-owners have announced that the 11th annual Tree of Life campaign will run from Sept. 29 to Oct. 26.

The national four-week campaign has raised more than $17 million dollars in the past, with the projected goal of $2.3 million this year to help fund local women’s charities across Canada.

September 18, 2012

A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics determined that 3-out-of-4 critically ill children were found to have vitamin D blood levels below the target considered safe by many experts and medical societies.

 OTTAWA, Canada — A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics determined that 3-out-of-4 critically ill children were found to have vitamin D blood levels below the target considered safe by many experts and medical societies. 

"This is the first study to report on vitamin D levels in a large group of critically ill children," stated Dayre McNally, lead researcher and a clinical researcher and intensivist at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

September 7, 2012

Royal Bank of Canada and Canadian pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart have introduced a new cobranded RBC Shoppers Optimum MasterCard.

TORONTO — Royal Bank of Canada and Canadian pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart have introduced a new cobranded RBC Shoppers Optimum MasterCard. In conjunction with the launch, RBC announced its intention to acquire the existing Shoppers Optimum MasterCard credit card portfolio.
 

August 30, 2012

Canadian pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart announced on Thursday that the Supreme Court of Canada has granted its application for leave to appeal to Ontario’s ban on private-label generic drugs.

TORONTO — Canadian pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart announced on Thursday that the Supreme Court of Canada has granted its application for leave to appeal to Ontario’s ban on private-label generic drugs.

“The company respects the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada and is pleased with the outcome,” the retailer stated. A hearing date has not yet been set, and no further details were provided.

According to Reuters, Canada’s Katz Group also has been granted leave to challenge the ban.