Content about TORONTO

August 31, 2011

Downy is seeking to break a Guinness World Record for the most hugs given in eight hours by a team.

TORONTO — Downy is seeking to break a Guinness World Record for the most hugs given in eight hours by a team.

The fabric softener brand has enlisted Torontonians to come out for a chance to be part of the event, which will be held Sept. 3 at the Canadian National Exhibition. Downy ambassadors also will be on hand.

If successful, Downy said it will donate $5,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada.

August 8, 2011

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.

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.

July 21, 2011

Canadian retailer Shoppers Drug Mart posted a boost in second-quarter sales, thanks in large part to continued strength and sales growth in over-the-counter medications, cosmetics, and food and confection, the company announced on Thursday.

TORONTO — Canadian retailer Shoppers Drug Mart posted a boost in second-quarter sales, thanks in large part to continued strength and sales growth in over-the-counter medications, cosmetics, and food and confection, the company announced on Thursday.

Second-quarter sales were C$2.39 billion (U.S. $2.52 billion), an increase of 1.4%, compared with the year-ago period. On a same-store basis, total sales increased 0.8% during the quarter.

July 20, 2011

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

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."

June 2, 2011

Canadian retailer Shoppers Drug Mart has announced that it now is carrying the Boots No7 Protect & Perfect intense body serum exclusively in its stores for C$29.

TORONTO — Canadian retailer Shoppers Drug Mart has announced that it now is carrying the Boots No7 Protect & Perfect intense body serum exclusively in its stores for C$29.

The latest addition to the No7 Protect & Perfect range, the intense body serum is designed reveal younger-looking, firmer, smoother and more radiant skin in four weeks. It uses the same hydrating and wrinkle-fighting ingredients contained in its popular facial serum.

April 28, 2011

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.

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.

April 13, 2011

Retail pharmacy network Katz Group Canada has appointed Frank Scorpiniti as COO.

TORONTO — Retail pharmacy network Katz Group Canada has appointed Frank Scorpiniti as COO.

With more than 20 years of retail pharmacy experience, Scorpiniti previously was SVP pharmacy operations at Duane Reade. Prior to Duane Reade, he held positions of increasing responsibility at Longs Drug Stores.

April 11, 2011

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.

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.

April 4, 2011

Canadian drug maker Intellipharmaceutics International is seeking approval for a generic version of a treatment for mental disorders.

TORONTO — Canadian drug maker Intellipharmaceutics International is seeking approval for a generic version of a treatment for mental disorders.

Intellipharmaceutics announced Monday that it had filed an application with the Food and Drug Administration for quetiapine fumarate extended-release tablets, a generic version of AstraZeneca’s Seroquel XR.

February 11, 2011

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

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%.

January 27, 2011

The abrupt departure of Shoppers Drug Mart president and CEO Jürgen Schreiber announced Wednesday is expected to negatively impact the company’s stock — many investors bought into Shoppers on the faith that retail maven Schreiber would return Canada’s largest drug retailer to consistent quarter-over-quarter growth.

TORONTO — The abrupt departure of Shoppers Drug Mart president and CEO Jürgen Schreiber announced Wednesday is expected to negatively impact the company’s stock — many investors bought into Shoppers on the faith that retail maven Schreiber would return Canada’s largest drug retailer to consistent quarter-over-quarter growth.

December 6, 2010

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.

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.

November 10, 2010

New pricing and reimbursement pressures drove down Shoppers Drug Mart's third-quarter profit, the Canada-based drug...

October 31, 2010

Drug makers Valeant Pharmaceuticals International and Kadmon Pharmaceuticals will collaborate to develop antiviral drugs for...

October 24, 2010

Many retail CFOs are adjusting their outlooks as the holiday season approaches, according to a...

October 21, 2010

Leave it to our creative retail neighbors to the north to find a fun way...

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)

September 26, 2010

Colgate-Palmolive Canada has introduced its new Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief toothpaste, which is positioned as the...

TORONTO Colgate-Palmolive Canada has introduced its new Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief toothpaste, which is positioned as the first and only toothpaste clinically proven to deliver instant and lasting sensitivity relief, according to the company.

The toothpaste is made with the company's patented Pro-Argin formula, a technology that plugs the channels that lead to sensitive tooth nerves, thereby blocking the transmission of heat, cold, air and pressure that stimulate pain receptors within teeth.

August 18, 2010

It seems that women that make less money than their counterparts are more likely to...

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.

January 7, 2010

In a high-stakes campaign to fire up its front-end appeal, reaffirm its relationship with America’s...

NEW YORK In a high-stakes campaign to fire up its front-end appeal, reaffirm its relationship with America’s consumers and rejuvenate its same-store sales, Walgreens has gone to its bench.

Walgreens has named one of its veteran operations people, Mike Arnoult, to the key post of VP in charge of Customer Centric Retailing. Until last month, the post was held by Chong Bang, who left the company in mid-December to oversee merchandising at Toronto-based Shoppers Drug Mart.

January 22, 2009

Canada’s most powerful pharmacy retailers have grown powerful in a relatively stable competitive arena, but...

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.

February 26, 2008

Certech Registration, an accredited certifying body, is bringing to the North American beauty market a...

September 18, 2007

Shoppers Drug Mart, already a formidable national drug store competitor north of the border, will...

August 28, 2007

Euoko Inc., a developer, marketer and distributor of exclusive skin care treatments, has appointed Patrick...