Content about Tennessee

May 14, 2013
Dollar General looks to hire 10,000 new employees in May

Dollar General is sponsoring career fairs at 170 of its stores as part of an effort to hire 10,000 new employees this month, the company said Tuesday.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General is sponsoring career fairs at 170 of its stores as part of an effort to hire 10,000 new employees this month, the company said Tuesday.

The company said it would have representatives to discuss opportunities, receive resumes and talk about long-term opportunities.

May 13, 2013
Butterball introduces line of turkey meat snacks

Butterball has entered a licensing agreement with Monogram Food Solutions, LLC, a Memphis, Tenn.-based manufacturer of processed meat, to launch a new line of turkey meat snacks featuring jerky, turkey bacon jerky, turkey nuggets and turkey snack sticks.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Butterball has entered a licensing agreement with Monogram Food Solutions, LLC, a Memphis, Tenn.-based manufacturer of processed meat, to launch a new line of turkey meat snacks featuring jerky, turkey bacon jerky, turkey nuggets and turkey snack sticks.

May 9, 2013
Senators propose legislation to carve out 'compounding manufacturers' subject to FDA regulation

One of the difficulties that federal regulators ran into during the nationwide scandal surrounding the New England Compounding Center — the Massachusetts-based pharmacy blamed for a nationwide fungal meningitis epidemic that has sickened hundreds and killed dozens — was the issue of when such pharmacies cross the line from compounding to manufacturing.

WASHINGTON — One of the difficulties that federal regulators ran into during the nationwide scandal surrounding the New England Compounding Center — the Massachusetts-based pharmacy blamed for a nationwide fungal meningitis epidemic that has sickened hundreds and killed dozens — was the issue of when such pharmacies cross the line from compounding to manufacturing.

May 8, 2013
Fred's posts solid April results but flat for Q1

Fred's Super Dollar posted a slight 0.2% sales gain for its first quarter ended May 4, to $501.4 million.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred's Super Dollar on Tuesday posted a slight 0.2% sales gain for its first quarter ended May 4, to $501.4 million. Comparable store-sales for the quarter were down 1.3%. 

For the month of April (four weeks ended May 4), Fred's total sales increased 3% to $152.2 million. Comparable store sales for the month increased 1.2% comparatively.

April 24, 2013
Dollar General to donate $2,000 to blood-clot education effort

Dollar General will benefit a nonprofit outreach program focused on blood clots, the discount store chain said.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General will benefit a nonprofit outreach program focused on blood clots, the discount store chain said.

Dollar General announced it would match the $2,000 donation that NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Brian Vickers made to Clot Connect. Vickers was diagnosed in early 2010 with blood clots that forced him to miss the remainder of the season and worked with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill physicians and Clot Connect to make informed decisions on his healthcare.

April 11, 2013
March sales down 2% across Fred's Super Dollar

Fred's Super Dollar reported total sales of $190.4 million for the five weeks ended April 6, down 2% from the comparable year-ago period.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred's Super Dollar on Thursday reported total sales of $190.4 million for the five weeks ended April 6, down 2% from the comparable year-ago period. 

Comparable store sales for the month decreased 3% compared with flat store sales in the same period last year.

April 10, 2013
Chattem launches Cortizone 10 Poison Ivy Relief Pads featuring trademarked Snapplicator

Chattem introduced Cortizone 10 Poison Ivy Relief Pads featuring a new anti-itch format trademarked the Snapplicator.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Chattem on Tuesday introduced Cortizone 10 Poison Ivy Relief Pads featuring a new anti-itch format trademarked the Snapplicator. 

"The innovative packaging is the first of its kind for poison ivy relief," stated Liz Roques, assistant brand manager at Chattem. "The individual Snapplicators include a single treatment so consumers don't have to touch the affected area."

April 2, 2013
Rite Aid greets allergy season with free screenings, offers for Wellness+ members

Rite Aid is offering free allergy screenings, information and a range of products as the allergy season approaches, the retail pharmacy chain said Tuesday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering free allergy screenings, information and a range of products as the allergy season approaches, the retail pharmacy chain said Tuesday.

March 28, 2013
Fred's misses analyst expectations, points to aggressive pharmacy expansion as future growth driver

Fred's will be looking to extend its pharmacy penetration to as high as 70% of all stores in the next three years.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The consumer's wallet isn't the only headwind blowing out of a still-struggling economy. Higher operating costs have also helped to undercut Fred's Super Dollar performance in the past year, Fred's CEO Bruce Efird explained to analysts Thursday morning.

March 15, 2013
National Colon Cancer Screening Day motivates more than 2,000 to seek screenings

A record number of people were motivated to seek colon cancer screenings for a day last week, according to an organization focused on the disease.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A record number of people were motivated to seek colon cancer screenings for a day last week, according to an organization focused on the disease.

StopColonCancerNow.com designated March 8 as National Colon Cancer Screening Day, motivating more 2,000 new patients to seek screenings for the disease. Experts recommend that anyone older than 50 years, as well as African-Americans 45 years and older and those who have a family history of polyps or colon cancer, get a colonoscopy.

March 7, 2013
Fred's reports slight February gains despite economic headwinds

Fred's Super Dollar reported total sales of $159.2 million for the four weeks ended March 2, up some $200,000 from the corresponding year-ago period.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred's Super Dollar on Thursday reported total sales of $159.2 million for the four weeks ended March 2, up some $200,000 from the corresponding year-ago period. Comparable store sales for the month declined 1.5%. 

March 5, 2013
Senators encourage GAO to investigate ways to collaborate on prescription drug abuse

Several senators have requested that the Government Accountability Office look for ways to coordinate the efforts of law enforcement and public health agencies at various levels and nonprofit organizations to address prescription drug abuse.

WASHINGTON — Several senators have requested that the Government Accountability Office look for ways to coordinate the efforts of law enforcement and public health agencies at various levels and nonprofit organizations to address prescription drug abuse.

February 28, 2013
Vireo Systems releases study finding NSAID side-effects more likely among seniors 75+

Homeopathic analgesic manufacturer Vireo Systems released a study finding that seniors over the age of 75 were six times more likely to suffer side effects associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

MADISON, Tenn. — Homeopathic analgesic manufacturer Vireo Systems on Thursday released a study finding that seniors over the age of 75 were six times more likely to suffer side effects associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. 

According to the study, nearly 33 million people, including 13.8 million seniors over the age of 65, regularly use NSAIDs for treating pain and inflammation. Gastrointestinal issues, renal problems and cardiac complications are the top-three most-cited side effects.

February 26, 2013
Reports: Legislation would allow Tenn. supermarkets to sell wine

A state Senate committee in Tennessee is looking into the possibility of allowing supermarkets to sell wine, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A state Senate committee in Tennessee is looking into the possibility of allowing supermarkets to sell wine, according to published reports.

The Memphis, Tenn., Commercial Appeal reported that the proposed law would be subject to approval in local referendums.

Supporters of the bill cited convenience, while opponents — including liquor store owners — said it would be detrimental to public health, safety and the economy, criticizing the legislation as driven by "big national chains" and harmful to locally owned businesses.

February 25, 2013
Fred's tests pharmacy-centric GetWell

Fred's Super Dollar is piloting a new store concept called GetWell Drug and Dollar that features a heavy focus on pharmacy, OTC and value-oriented convenience basics. The 8,000-sq.-ft. locations, half the size of a typical Fred's, will field some 7,500 front-end SKUs, 30% of which will be comprised of health-and-wellness items.

MIDDLETON, Tenn. — Fred's Super Dollar is piloting a new store concept called GetWell Drug and Dollar that features a heavy focus on pharmacy, OTC and value-oriented convenience basics. The 8,000-sq.-ft. locations, half the size of a typical Fred's, will field some 7,500 front-end SKUs, 30% of which will be comprised of health-and-wellness items.

February 25, 2013
Sheba to introduce sustainable fish-based food for cats

Mars Petcare will use responsible sourcing of fish for its fish-based Sheba product lines, the company said Monday.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mars Petcare will use responsible sourcing of fish for its fish-based Sheba product lines, the company said Monday.

The company said it plans to use only sustainably sourced fish by 2020, offering only fish that are farmed or wild-caught from environmentally sustainable sources. The new sourcing program is based on the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program sourcing recommendations.

February 15, 2013
Legislation would allow states to levy sales taxes on out-of-state online purchases

Sears Holdings, the parent company of mass merchandiser Kmart, is throwing its support behind a bill that would grant states authority to enforce existing sales tax laws and require out-of-state online retailers to collect and remit sales taxes on sales made to their residents.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings, the parent company of mass merchandiser Kmart, is throwing its support behind a bill that would grant states authority to enforce existing sales tax laws and require out-of-state online retailers to collect and remit sales taxes on sales made to their residents.

The Marketplace Fairness Act was sponsored by Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.; Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.; and Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D.; as well as Reps. Steve Womack, R-Ark.; Kristi Noem, R-S.D.; Peter Welch, D-Vt.; and John Conyers, D-Mich.

February 7, 2013
Fred's looking toward accelerating pharmacy growth in 2013

Fred's Super Dollar reported sales for the five-weeks ended Feb. 2 were up 31% to $173.6 million. Comparable store sales were up 28.6%.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred's Super Dollar on Thursday reported sales for the five-weeks ended Feb. 2 were up 31% to $173.6 million. Comparable store sales were up 28.6%. 

On an adjusted basis, which eliminates the one week ended Feb. 2, sales were up 2% and same-store sales were flat, Fred's added. 

January 28, 2013
Little Debbie cakes maker bids on Hostess brand

McKee Foods, makers of Little Debbie snack cakes, is offering $25 to $30 million for Hostess Brands Inc.'s Drake's brand, according to published reports.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — McKee Foods, makers of Little Debbie snack cakes, is offering $25 to $30 million for Hostess Brands' Drake's brand, according to published reports. Hostess filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2012.

January 24, 2013
Dollar General to open 635 new stores in 2013

Dollar General is adding 635 new stores and relocating 550 this year, the dollar store chain said.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General is adding 635 new stores and relocating 550 this year, the dollar store chain said.

"Dollar General's continued growth reflects our customers' increasing satisfaction with our everyday low prices and convenience," Dollar General chairman and CEO Rick Dreiling said. "Further, 2013 will mark another growth milestone as we plan to open the organization's 11,000th store before the year's end when we will begin our 75th anniversary in 2014."

January 18, 2013
DenTek develops new Scrub Betweens dental pick

DenTek has created the new Scrub Betweens dental pick to help remove plaque and food particles that get between teeth.

MARYVILLE, Tenn. — DenTek has created the new Scrub Betweens dental pick to help remove plaque and food particles that get between teeth.

The new Scrub Betweens is a soft scrubbing dental pick with thousands of microbristles. The micro toothbrush-like scrubbing tip glides between teeth, even in hard to reach back teeth, making it easier to remove food particles and reduce plaque build-up, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

January 16, 2013
Specialty to overtake traditional drugs in five years, report finds

Specialty drug spend will surpass traditional drug spend by 2018 for commercial plan sponsors, according to a new study.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Specialty drug spend will surpass traditional drug spend by 2018 for commercial plan sponsors, according to a new study.

January 14, 2013
Less than 45% of children receive flu shot over recent five-year period

According to a new study by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center released Thursday, less than 45% of children were vaccinated against the flu during a five-year study period.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — According to a new study by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center released Thursday, less than 45% of children were vaccinated against the flu during a five-year study period.

January 3, 2013
Fred's posts slight December decline; looks forward to strong 2013 with expansion in pharmacy, specialty drugs

Fred's reported a 1% sales decline to $209.9 million for the five-week fiscal month ended Dec. 29.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred's on Thursday reported a 1% sales decline to $209.9 million for the five-week fiscal month ended Dec. 29. Comparable store sales for the month decreased 4.2% compared with a decline of 0.4% in the same period last year.

December 4, 2012
CDC: Influenza season officially underway

The influenza season is officially underway as flu incidence is already above the national threshold, Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters during a teleconference Monday.

ATLANTA — The influenza season is officially underway as flu incidence is already above the national threshold, Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters during a teleconference Monday. "This is the earliest regular flu season we've had in nearly a decade, since the 2003-2004 flu season," he said. "That was an early and severe flu year, and while flu is always unpredictable, the early nature of the cases as well as the specific strains we're seeing suggest that this could be a bad flu year."