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TORONTO — Katz Group Canada, Canada’s largest integrated retail pharmacy network, has appointed Ken Keelor as chief merchandising officer, effective immediately. Keelor will oversee all merchandising and marketing functions for the Rexall family of pharmacies.

Keelor joins the organization from Sobey’s, a national multibanner grocery chain, where he held a number of executive positions during his 10 years with the company, most recently VP private-label procurement and global sourcing.

TORONTO — Salon Selectives, a division of CLT International, has acquired the trademark rights for Daily Defense hair care products.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We are extremely excited about the addition of this popular brand to our portfolio of personal and hair care products," Salon Selectives principal Jack Wilkinson said. "The addition of Daily Defense provides us with two world-class brands that we can offer at affordable prices to value-conscious women around the world."

TORONTO — Shoppers Drug Mart posted a 2.7% boost in first-quarter sales, driven by strong front-store sales gains that benefited from marketing campaigns, promotions and market share gains of the company's core health, beauty and convenience categories.

Front-end same-store sales rose 4.4% during the quarter ended March 26. Sales at the front end were C$1.197 billion ($1.26 billion), up 6% compared with the year-ago period.

TORONTO — Mederma Skin Care scars gel and Mederma stretch marks therapy now are available in Canada at such retailers as Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, Walmart and Pharma Plus, according to Merz Pharma Canada.

Mederma scar gel and Mederma stretch marks therapy are formulated with cepalin, a proprietary botanical extract derived from onions.

Mederma scar gel is designed to improve the appearance of scars caused by burns, injuries, acne and surgery.

TORONTO — Front-end sales rendered positive results for Shoppers Drug Mart during the fourth quarter ended Jan. 1, the Canadian drug store chain said.

Strong sales gains in the beauty, confection and convenient food and beverage categories drove front-end sales up 5.5%, Shoppers reported. The big gain, the company said, contributed to the 2.9% increase of its fourth-quarter sales to nearly $2.6 billion.

Prescription sales for the chain, however, fell about 0.2%.

TORONTO — ModiFace, a provider of virtual makeover technologies, has announced the launch of its new iPhone application, dubbed "MakeUp Live," which is a virtual makeover tool.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT Leave it to our creative retail neighbors to the north to find a fun way to merchandise over-the-counter products and wellness.

(THE NEWS: In sweeping overhaul of its retail mission, Rexall unveils ‘Healthy Living’ prototype. For the full story, click here)

TORONTO It seems that women that make less money than their counterparts are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, Canadian researchers found in a new study.

Canada’s most powerful pharmacy retailers have grown powerful in a relatively stable competitive arena, but that status quo is changing. One of the Big Three U.S. drug wholesalers has serious designs on the Canadian drug store market.