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MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Through the support of Rexall’s vendors and partners, Rexall’s annual vendor golf classic raised more than Canadian $250,000 for the Rexall Foundation earlier this month.

The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research received a C$10,000 donation at the Aug. 14 event.  The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research is an organization dedicated to eliminating the challenges of Prader-Willi Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, through the advancement of research.

WASHINGTON — According to the National Retail Federation and BIGinsight's "2012 Back-to-School" survey, families with school and college-aged students as of Aug. 7 said they have more than half of their shopping lists to complete.

The average person with children in grades kindegarten through 12 has completed 40.1% of their shopping, while college shoppers and their families have completed slightly more at 45.3%.

Overall, school and college shoppers this year are expected to spend a total of $83.8 billion.

BOULDER, Colo. — Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy on Tuesday announced that it now is offering immunizations for influenza, whooping cough, pneumonia and shingles on a walk-in basis at all of its locations. Pharmaca pharmacists can provide the shots to any customer who requests one during open pharmacy hours.
 

NEW YORK — Retail-based health clinics are attracting more older patients and delivering more preventive care, particularly flu shots and other vaccinations, according to a new study from the Rand Corp.

Researchers found that visits to retail medical clinics increased four-fold from 2007 to 2009, with the proportion of patients older than 65 years old growing from 8% to 19% of all visits during this period.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday announced it will place self-use health screening kiosks at all of its 1,950 locations to help their pharmacy patients "know their numbers."

"Our customers tell us they want to make healthy choices but don't always know where to start," Kroger's health strategy coordinator Matthew Feltman said. "We're pleased to expand the availability of Kroger HealthCenters to help customers take their first steps toward overall health and wellness."

PALO ALTO, Calif. — Shopkick, a shopping application that rewards shoppers for walking into stores and interacting with products, has teamed up with CVS/pharmacy to roll out a first-ever offering of walk-in and other rewards at a retail pharmacy, Shopkick announced on Tuesday.

The program kicks off with a special offer, kicking $5 back to shoppers who visit participating CVS/pharmacy locations with the Shopkick app. 



GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. — Regional player Kinney Drugs has snapped up four independent pharmacies located in central New York and Vermont, bringing its total store count to 94.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
 

NEW YORK — A new Walgreens campaign to the tune of John Fogerty's "Down on the Corner" from GSD&M is hitting a 30-second primetime spot near you. The campaign highlights Walgreens' long history of innovation, "from inventing the first chocolate malt to creating a nonprofit pharmacy for our troops. ... Walgreens has been innovating for more than 100 years, and we're just getting started."

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation, in partnership with its member companies, has launched a new initiative to address the challenges and opportunities of mobile retailing.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway shoppers looking to save at the pump this summer and beyond no longer will be able to, according to published reports.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The stalemate between Walgreens and Express Scripts may have come to an end, but CVS Caremark remains optimistic and has developed a multifaceted plan to help it retain a significant number of the prescriptions gained from the impasse, CVS Caremark president and CEO Larry Merlo told analysts during Tuesday morning’s second-quarter conference call.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering flu shots at all of its stores, the retail pharmacy chain said.

The company announced Monday the availability of the shots, offering during pharmacy hours, with no appointment necessary, for $29.99.