Content about Top Retailers

March 25, 2011

Safeway this week received an award for demonstrating commitment to various causes through financial support and encouragement.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway this week received an award for demonstrating commitment to various causes through financial support and encouragement.

The retailer said it received the 2011 Freeman Philanthropic Services Award for Outstanding Corporation from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. AFP presented the award to Safeway's EVP Larree Renda, who also serves as chair for the company's charitable organization, the Safeway Foundation.

March 24, 2011

CVS Caremark Charitable Trust donates $50K to Boston Medical Center

Boston Medical Center announced that it has received a $50,000 grant for the Autism Clinic from CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, the private foundation created by CVS Caremark.

BOSTON — Boston Medical Center announced that it has received a $50,000 grant for the Autism Clinic from CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, the private foundation created by CVS Caremark.

BMC is one of 72 organizations selected from a pool of 660 applicants to receive an individual or multiyear grant for 2010. The grant will allow the Autism Clinic to develop a written behavioral curriculum for hands-on training for parents with low income and/or limited-English proficiency.

March 24, 2011

DeVito/Verdi to continue handling Duane Reade's advertising, public relations

Duane Reade, which is owned by Walgreens, has extended its contract with DeVito/Verdi, the New York ad agency that assisted with its marketing metamorphosis.

NEW YORK — Duane Reade, which is owned by Walgreens, has extended its contract with DeVito/Verdi, the New York ad agency that assisted with its marketing metamorphosis.

"The street-smart ad campaign created by DeVito/Verdi certainly helped transform the Duane Reade brand," stated Paul Tiberio, SVP merchandising and marketing for Duane Reade. "We're looking forward to having the agency continue to give voice to this iconoclastic brand."

March 24, 2011

Walgreens boosts online presence with Drugstore.com acquisition

Shortly after posting record second-quarter sales on Tuesday, Walgreens announced that it would "accelerate its online strategy" by acquiring e-retailer Drugstore.com for about $429 million, subject to customary conditions.

DEERFIELD, Ill., and BELLEVUE, Wash. — Shortly after posting record second-quarter sales on Tuesday, Walgreens announced that it would "accelerate its online strategy" by acquiring e-retailer Drugstore.com for about $429 million, subject to customary conditions.

March 24, 2011

Walgreens embraces Earth Day

In celebration of Earth Day this weekend, Walgreens will turn off select interior lights and lighted exterior signage at 1,415 stores across the country for one hour on Saturday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — In celebration of Earth Day this weekend, Walgreens will turn off select interior lights and lighted exterior signage at 1,415 stores across the country for one hour on Saturday.

In New York, the Walgreens billboard in Times Square also will go dark, the drug store chain said.

March 24, 2011

Walmart opens office in Atlanta for East Coast business unit

Walmart Stores said it will open a new office in Atlanta, positioning the retailer to more effectively manage nearly 1,600 stores in 20 Eastern U.S. states and focus on opportunities to grow its business in such states as New York.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart Stores said it will open a new office in Atlanta, positioning the retailer to more effectively manage nearly 1,600 stores in 20 Eastern U.S. states and focus on opportunities to grow its business in such states as New York.

The new Eastern business unit will be run by Rosalind Brewer, president of Walmart East and EVP Walmart U.S.

March 23, 2011

Safeway Foundation donates $100K to Japan disaster victims

Safeway's charitable arm announced it would donate $100,000 and launch an employee matching pledge of up to $50,000 to help with the Japan earthquake and tsunami relief efforts.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway's charitable arm announced it would donate $100,000 and launch an employee matching pledge of up to $50,000 to help with the Japan earthquake and tsunami relief efforts.

The Safeway Foundation said the contribution will be distributed to the impacted area through the American Red Cross.

March 23, 2011

Top markets for retailers revealed

A new report released this week unveiled the top go-to markets for retailers that are looking to boost their national presence.

NEW YORK — A new report released this week unveiled the top go-to markets for retailers that are looking to boost their national presence.

In the ChainLinks/Terranomics' 2011 U.S. national retail report, the healthiest retail market in the nation was Washington, D.C., followed by San Francisco; New York; Boston; San Diego; San Jose/South Bay, Calif.; Baltimore; Philadelphia; Seattle and Pittsburgh.

March 23, 2011

Walmart shows commitment to seniors with Meals on Wheels donation

The Walmart Foundation has donated $5 million to Meals On Wheels Association of America to help fight senior hunger in communities across the nation.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The Walmart Foundation has donated $5 million to the Meals On Wheels Association of America to help fight senior hunger in communities across the nation.

Through the grant, MOWAA will boost the efforts of senior nutrition programs, organizations that provide critical services to more than 6 million seniors in the United States currently facing the threat of hunger.

March 22, 2011

Report: The Little Clinic opens 11th store in Shelbyville, Tenn., area

The Little Clinic has opened a new location inside Kroger's new Marketplace store in Shelbyville, Tenn., according to a local news report.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — The Little Clinic has opened a new location inside Kroger's new Marketplace store in Shelbyville, Tenn., according to a local news report.

The opening marks the 11th clinic in the area.

"Being part of a brand-new Kroger Marketplace allows us to increase accessibility of our services for those who will enjoy the many offerings at this store," Tim Pruitt, divisional VP of The Little Clinic, was quoted as saying.

March 22, 2011

Target to sell deluxe edition of Jennifer Hudson's sophomore album

Target's deal with Lady Gaga may have fallen through, but that doesn't mean the retailer has lost its ability to court the music industry.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target's deal with Lady Gaga may have fallen through, but that doesn't mean the retailer has lost its ability to court the music industry.

Case in point, the company announced Monday that it is partnering with Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson for the exclusive, deluxe edition of her second studio album, "I Remember Me." The deluxe edition, including four additional new songs and bonus video material, will be available only at Target stores nationwide and on Target.com beginning March 22.

March 22, 2011

Walgreens achieves record sales, Rx growth

Walgreens announced on Tuesday record sales and earnings for the second quarter as it celebrated a milestone of filling 1-in-every-5 retail prescriptions for the first time in the company's history.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens announced on Tuesday record sales and earnings for the second quarter as it celebrated a milestone of filling 1-in-every-5 retail prescriptions for the first time in the company's history.

Net earnings for the quarter were $739 million, or 80 cents per diluted share, compared with $669 million, or 68 cents per share, in the year-ago period.

March 22, 2011

Walgreens posts monster Q2 gains

With record second-quarter sales and earnings under its belt, a grasp on 20.1% of the retail prescription drug market and a sharpened focus on core assets, Walgreens' executives expressed optimism on future growth — despite such external challenges as a soft economy and continued pressure on Medicaid reimbursement — and reiterated the company's focus on core strategies.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — With record second-quarter sales and earnings under its belt, a grasp on 20.1% of the retail prescription drug market and a sharpened focus on core assets, Walgreens' executives expressed optimism on future growth — despite such external challenges as a soft economy and continued pressure on Medicaid reimbursement — and reiterated the company's focus on core strategies.

March 21, 2011

Credit Suisse projects strong Q2 for WAG

Following the recent sale of Walgreens' pharmacy benefit management business, Credit Suisse analysts said they are interested in the executive team's updated thinking on their healthcare strategy and plans for the $550 million in proceeds.

NEW YORK — Following the recent sale of Walgreens' pharmacy benefit management business, Credit Suisse analysts said they are interested in the executive team's updated thinking on their healthcare strategy and plans for the $550 million in proceeds.

March 21, 2011

Stater Bros. acquires two Albertsons stores

Stater Bros. has entered an agreement to purchase two stores from Albertsons in Lake Elsinore and Hesperia, Calif.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Stater Bros. has entered an agreement to purchase two stores from Albertsons in Lake Elsinore and Hesperia, Calif.

Stater Bros. said it expects to take possession of the locations from Albertsons, a Supervalu subsidiary, in mid-May. The California-based supermarket chain also said that the stores would receive several upgrades, including wider aisles; expanded and new full-service departments; and energy-efficient refrigeration, skylights and recycling centers.

March 21, 2011

Survey: Majority of New Yorkers would shop at Walmart

Walmart's efforts to open in New York City were helped last week when a new poll, released Friday, found that New Yorkers would shop at Walmart if one opened in the city.

NEW YORK — Walmart's efforts to open in New York City were helped last week when a new poll, released Friday, found that New Yorkers would shop at Walmart if one opened in the city.

According to the Quinnipiac University poll, 68% of New Yorkers said that if it were convenient for them, they would shop at Walmart. That is compared with 29% who said they would not.

Nearly identical numbers of people said the chain's lower prices would eat into small business sales.

March 21, 2011

Walmart lends hand to Dress for Success

Walmart announced that it has donated $2 million to Dress for Success, a nonprofit that helps females get back into the work force by providing clothes, interview preparation and other tools needed to land a job. The announcement was made at the third annual Dress for Success day of service in New York.

NEW YORK — Walmart announced that it has donated $2 million to Dress for Success, a nonprofit that helps females get back into the work force by providing clothes, interview preparation and other tools needed to land a job. The announcement was made at the third annual Dress for Success day of service in New York.

March 18, 2011

Target makes donation to Save the Children

Target has made a donation to Save the Children to assist with Japan’s earthquake and tsunami relief efforts.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has made a donation to Save the Children to assist with Japan’s earthquake and tsunami relief efforts.

The retailer said it has donated $500,000 to the cause.

Target said it encourages shoppers and team members to visit the Save the Children website to learn more about how they can help victims of the earthquake and tsunami.

March 18, 2011

Walmart rolling out comprehensive waste-reduction program

Walmart announced it has eliminated more than 80% of the waste that would go to landfills from its operations in California by implementing a comprehensive waste-reduction program. The results far exceed the national average, where the Environmental Protection Agency estimated only 45% of waste is diverted from landfills. The California rate was 65%.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced it has eliminated more than 80% of the waste that would go to landfills from its operations in California by implementing a comprehensive waste-reduction program. The results far exceed the national average, where the Environmental Protection Agency estimated only 45% of waste is diverted from landfills. The California rate was 65%.

March 17, 2011

Target named one of the world's most ethical companies

Target has made the Ethisphere Institute’s World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2011 list, the retail chain said Thursday.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has made the Ethisphere Institute’s World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2011 list, the retail chain said Thursday.

Target said the institute, an international business ethics organization, honored Target for business practices and initiatives that benefit the community. This is the fifth consecutive year in which the company has won the award.

March 17, 2011

WAG VP talks to Chicago Tribune about changing role of pharmacist

New federal and state regulations are expanding the role of the pharmacist, noted Richard Ashworth, Walgreens VP pharmacy services, during a live “Health Chat” hosted by Chicago Tribune reporter Bruce Japsen on Thursday afternoon. And that’s of benefit to patients at large, especially as “community pharmacy is located in the local communities and [is] a natural extension of the healthcare system,” Ashworth wrote.

CHICAGO — New federal and state regulations are expanding the role of the pharmacist, noted Richard Ashworth, Walgreens VP pharmacy services, during a live “Health Chat” hosted by Chicago Tribune reporter Bruce Japsen on Thursday afternoon. And that’s of benefit to patients at large, especially as “community pharmacy is located in the local communities and [is] a natural extension of the healthcare system,” Ashworth wrote.

March 16, 2011

Chicago is Walmart's kind of town

Walmart has succeeded in bringing its smaller-format store concept to Chicago, helping to make the case that the retailer can find success in more urban markets, including New York, which thus far has eluded the retailer.

CHICAGO — Walmart has succeeded in bringing its smaller-format store concept to Chicago, helping to make the case that the retailer can find success in more urban markets, including New York, which thus far has eluded the retailer.

The company announced that it has secured locations in West Englewood for Walmart Market and Walmart Express stores. According to the company, West Englewood is in the heart of a food desert and is one of Chicago’s most underserved communities.

March 16, 2011

Rite Aid Foundation pledges $50,000 to Red Cross' Japan earthquake fund

Rite Aid’s philanthropic arm is donating to relief efforts in Japan.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid’s philanthropic arm is donating to relief efforts in Japan.

The Rite Aid Foundation announced Wednesday that it was donating $50,000 to the American Red Cross' Japan earthquake fund.

“Our hearts go out to the victims, families and communities affected by this devastating tragedy,” Rite Aid Foundation president Mary Sammons said. “We are proud to partner with the American Red Cross and assist them in their mission of helping the people of Japan in their time of need.”

March 16, 2011

Safeway elects new board member; declares quarterly dividend

The former chairman and CEO of Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream has joined Safeway's board of directors.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — The former chairman and CEO of Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream has joined Safeway's board of directors.

The appointment of T. Gary Rogers will expand the retailer's board of directors from nine to 10 members.

"Gary's vast experience as a supplier to the grocery industry, his business acumen and experience as a director will be great assets to the board," said Steve Burd, Safeway chairman, president and CEO. "We are pleased he is joining our board."

March 16, 2011

Walgreens makes donations to Japan earthquake victims

Walgreens on Wednesday donated $150,000 to the American Red Cross in response to the earthquake that struck Japan last week. The company also will match employee donations up to $100,000.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday donated $150,000 to the American Red Cross in response to the earthquake that struck Japan last week. The company also will match employee donations up to $100,000.