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October 9, 2012
Future is healthy for PBM business

Remember back in 2009, when some on Wall Street swore the sky was falling as Caremark came off a tricky selling season? Oh, how times have changed.


Remember back in 2009, when some on Wall Street swore the sky was falling as Caremark came off a tricky selling season? Oh, how times have changed.


“Everything we’ve seen this year demonstrates that CVS is a stable company that is well-positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities in the industry,” stated Barclays Capital analyst Meredith Adler in a recent research note.


October 9, 2012
Store clusters, brands help front-store business

CVS Caremark’s front-store business continues to experience solid performance despite a weak economy — success that can be credited to such factors as a skilled merchandising team, a focus on store brands and a clustering initiative that tailors stores’ merchandise mix based on how the stores are shopped in certain locations.


CVS Caremark’s front-store business continues to experience solid performance despite a weak economy — success that can be credited to such factors as a skilled merchandising team, a focus on store brands and a clustering initiative that tailors stores’ merchandise mix based on how the stores are shopped in certain locations.


September 28, 2012
Walgreens all systems go for 2013; reports 4Q, annual sales

Fiscal 2012 is now in Walgreens' rearview mirror as the company looks ahead toward 2013 with its foot on the accelerator

 DEERFIELD, Ill. — Fiscal 2012 now is in Walgreens' rearview mirror as the company looks ahead toward 2013 with its foot on the accelerator. A re-entry into the Express Scripts pharmacy provider network, a new loyalty card and synergies borne out of the Alliance Boots partnership will all help fuel Walgreens' health-and-wellness engine. 

Walgreens stock was up slightly within the half-hour of the call to approximately $36.70 per share. WAG had closed Thursday at $36.52 and opened Friday morning at $36.27. 

September 21, 2012
Rite Aid's turnaround seeds show signs of growth

The general consensus seems to be that the turnaround that the country's third-largest retail pharmacy chain has engineered over the past few years is working.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The general consensus seems to be that the turnaround that the country's third-largest retail pharmacy chain has engineered over the past few years is working.

(THE NEWS: Rite Aid looks to retain ESI patients, provide 'superior customer experience.' For the full story, click here.)

September 6, 2012
Kalorama reports several new OTC categories under consideration by FDA

Kalorama Information on Thursday reported that a number of Rx-to-OTC switch applications currently are under review by the Food and Drug Administration across several new-to-self-care categories, including overactive bladder, bacterial infections, cholesterol and high blood pressure.

NEW YORK — Kalorama Information on Thursday reported that a number of Rx-to-OTC switch applications currently are under review by the Food and Drug Administration across several new-to-self-care categories, including overactive bladder, bacterial infections, cholesterol and high blood pressure.

August 24, 2012
Study: Affordability is key factor when buying body care products

Judging by the results of new research from Mintel, loyalty is lost when it comes to body care products as nearly a quarter of those consumers who use body care products at least once a week usually just buy what’s on sale.

CHICAGO — Judging by the results of new research from Mintel, loyalty is lost when it comes to body care products as nearly a quarter of those consumers who use body care products at least once a week usually just buy what’s on sale.

The research found that 23% of those who use body care products at least once a week usually just buy what’s on sale, which has contributed to a 10% decline in sales of body care products from 2007 to 2012.

August 23, 2012
Study: More men are investing in high-end skin care products

Sales of men’s skin care products are on the rise as men grow increasingly concerned with looking good from head to toe and show a willingness to invest in high-end skin care, according to recent research by market research firm the NPD Group.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — Sales of men’s skin care products are on the rise as men grow increasingly concerned with looking good from head to toe and show a willingness to invest in high-end skin care, according to recent research by market research firm the NPD Group.

August 8, 2012
NPD Group: Trends in prestige beauty show consumers' desire to play with color

Prestige makeup sales within U.S. department stores were on the rise during the first half of the year, with one of the biggest winners being nail, which experienced robust double-digit growth, according to market research firm the NPD Group.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — Prestige makeup sales within U.S. department stores were on the rise during the first half of the year, with one of the biggest winners being nail, which experienced robust double-digit growth, according to market research firm the NPD Group.

July 30, 2012
Supervalu names new president, CEO

Supervalu on Monday named Wayne Sales, a Canadian hall-of-fame-caliber retailer, as the company's president and CEO, replacing Craig Herkert.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Monday named Wayne Sales, a Canadian hall-of-fame-caliber retailer, as the company's president and CEO, replacing Craig Herkert.

“In my new role, I will work closely with our leadership team to improve our sales and earnings trajectory and generate long-term shareholder value, focusing relentlessly on identifying factors that will drive meaningful improvements in our strategy execution and overall performance,” Sales stated.

July 24, 2012
GNC names Philip Mallott to board

GNC Holdings on Monday elected Philip Mallott to its board to fill the seat vacated by Norman Axelrod's resignation.

PITTSBURGH — GNC Holdings on Monday elected Philip Mallott to its board to fill the seat vacated by Norman Axelrod's resignation.

Mallott served as VP and chief financial officer of Intimate Brands, a former subsidiary of Limited Brands, and most recently provided retail stock research as an independent consultant to Westminster Research Associates and, prior to that, as an analyst for Coker & Palmer. He is currently a director of Big Lots.

July 18, 2012
Journalist Mark Halperin to keynote CRN annual meeting

The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Tuesday announced that Mark Halperin, New York Times best-selling author and well-known senior political analyst for Time, will return as a featured speaker at The Conference, CRN’s annual symposium for the dietary supplement industry.

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Tuesday announced that Mark Halperin, New York Times best-selling author and well-known senior political analyst for Time, will return as a featured speaker at The Conference, CRN’s annual symposium for the dietary supplement industry.

July 12, 2012
Cardinal RBC lineup includes healthcare analyst, NCPA and significant CE opportunities

Cardinal Health on Thursday kicked off its Retail Business Conference, the company’s annual trade show for independent pharmacies catering to more than 7,000 attendees.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Cardinal Health on Thursday kicked off its Retail Business Conference, the company’s annual trade show for independent pharmacies catering to more than 7,000 attendees.

July 12, 2012
Supervalu announces number of stabilization measures with first-quarter earnings

Supervalu on Thursday announced a number of dramatic measures to stabilize its business — reduction in capital spending, suspension of the company's dividend, even the exploration of possible strategic alternatives — in conjunction with its declining first-quarter earnings results.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Thursday announced a number of dramatic measures to stabilize its business — reduction in capital spending, suspension of the company's dividend, even the exploration of possible strategic alternatives — in conjunction with its declining first-quarter earnings results.

July 5, 2012
Rite Aid's June comps decrease 1%

Rite Aid's same-store sales decreased in June, compared with June 2011, due largely to a decrease in pharmacy comps, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's same-store sales decreased in June, compared with June 2011, due largely to a decrease in pharmacy comps, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

The 1% decrease in overall comps included a 1.6% decrease in pharmacy same-store sales — including a negative effect of 672 basis points from new generic introductions — and a 0.3% increase in front-end same-store sales. Prescription count at comparable stores increased 2.9%.

June 22, 2012
Walgreens, Alliance Boots address merger at analyst meeting

Just a few days after announcing their merger, Walgreens and Alliance Boots leaders sat down to discuss the value of their deal before analysts on Friday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Just a few days after announcing their merger, Walgreens and Alliance Boots leaders sat down to discuss the value of their deal before analysts on Friday.

Kicking off the Q&A-style meeting, Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson outlined how the drug store chain’s partnership with Alliance Boots came to fruition, noting that the opportunity was identified about 18 months ago. “Along the way ... real opportunities began to come to light, [and we learned] how we could create more value for the two companies,” Wasson told analysts.

June 21, 2012
Bonkers for BB creams

Beauty mavens are 
going bonkers for 
BB creams!
 Exactly what is a BB cream? It is a relatively new multifunctional product, also referred to as ‘blemish balm’ or ‘beauty balm,’ that combines the functionality of primers, SPF and moisturizers, along with the anti-aging benefits of skin serums.


Beauty mavens are 
going bonkers for 
BB creams!


Exactly what is a BB cream? It is a relatively new multifunctional product, also referred to as ‘blemish balm’ or ‘beauty balm,’ that combines the functionality of primers, SPF and moisturizers, along with the anti-aging benefits of skin serums.


BB creams, which are not a foundation or a tinted moisturizer, were invented by German dermatologists in the 1960s as a soothing post-
treatment cream. The item then caught on in Korea as movie stars sought a flawless complexion without looking made up.


June 21, 2012
Teens present burgeoning market in underarm care

Manufacturers of antiperspirant/deodorant should take different approaches when marketing to adults and teens, as they each have different requirements for deodorants, according to market research firm Mintel.


Manufacturers of antiperspirant/deodorant should take different approaches when marketing to adults and teens, as they each have different requirements for deodorants, according to market research firm Mintel.


June 14, 2012
Kroger: Customer First strategy contributes to 34 consecutive quarters of positive IDs

Kroger on Thursday posted its 34th consecutive quarter of positive identical-supermarket sales, vetting the company's approach to competing in the food industry not as a traditional food retailer, but as a retailer that happens to sell its customers a lot of food.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday posted its 34th consecutive quarter of positive identical-supermarket sales, vetting the company's approach to competing in the food industry not as a traditional food retailer, but as a retailer that happens to sell its customers a lot of food.

June 7, 2012
Rite Aid comps increase 1.1% in May

Rite Aid's same-store sales increased by 1.1% in May, a lower-than-expected increase that may be due to underlying economic and industry factors.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's same-store sales increased by 1.1% in May, a lower-than-expected increase that may be due to underlying economic and industry factors.

The results for the five weeks ended June 2 included a 1.3% increase in front-end comps and a 1% increase in pharmacy sales over May 2011. Same-store prescription count increased 2.6%. Total drug store sales for the period increased 0.3% to nearly $2.5 billion, compared with $2.45 billion in May 2011.

May 16, 2012
One-stop shop for college

Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at the NPD Group said that back-to-college has become a big opportunity for retailers, and everybody wants part of the business. Last year, families spent an average of $800 on back-to-college products.


Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at the NPD Group said that back-to-college has become a big opportunity for retailers, and everybody wants part of the business. Last year, families spent an average of $800 on back-to-college products.


May 8, 2012
Survey: 45% of smartphone users with a retailer-branded app visit the retailer's store more often

Are smartphone applications the magic bullet of marketing for retailers? According to a December 2011 ABI Research survey of U.S. consumers, it may be so.

NEW YORK — Are smartphone applications the magic bullet of marketing for retailers? According to a December 2011 ABI Research survey of U.S. consumers, it may be so.

Survey respondents who said they had downloaded a retailer-branded app said the app caused them to visit the store more (45.8%), buy more of the store/brand’s products and services (40.4%), tell a friend about their store shopping experience (35.8%) and encourage friends to visit the store (30.8%).

April 17, 2012
The present and future of customer loyalty

Customer loyalty has always been paramount for retailers, but as we wade into 2012 and beyond, it is becoming increasingly evident that retailers have a renewed focus on establishing a strong sense of loyalty and creating an engaging customer experience through cross-channel initiatives that are touching customers both in and — perhaps more importantly — out of the store.

Customer loyalty has always been paramount for retailers, but as we wade into 2012 and beyond, it is becoming increasingly evident that retailers have a renewed focus on establishing a strong sense of loyalty and creating an engaging customer experience through cross-channel initiatives that are touching customers both in and — perhaps more importantly — out of the store.

April 13, 2012
Market speculates a Safeway sale; analyst suggests not likely

Trading of Safeway shares on Nasdaq were up almost 75 cents in late morning trading on speculation that Safeway soon may be up for sale.

NEW YORK — Trading of Safeway shares on Nasdaq were up almost 75 cents in late morning trading on speculation that Safeway soon may be up for sale.

The speculation is borne out of a recent revision in the company’s change in control that would make retention of management easier and cheaper in a take-out, suggested Ed Kelly, Credit Suisse analyst, in a note published Friday morning. "While this is an interesting development, we do not believe it signals that Safeway is suddenly up for sale."

April 13, 2012
Pet meds barking up retail’s tree

A typical retail pharmacy is equipped to handle most of the prescription needs of its customers, whether they have a skin rash, chronic illness or the need for a vaccination against the flu or shingles.


A typical retail pharmacy is equipped to handle most of the prescription needs of its customers, whether they have a skin rash, chronic illness or the need for a vaccination against the flu or shingles.


With the plethora of health needs facing humans these days, it’s easy to forget that Fluffy and Fido have a few health needs of their own — needs that are driving sales of prescription drugs for pets and opening opportunities for pharmacy retailers.


April 13, 2012
The present and future of customer loyalty

Customer loyalty has always been paramount for retailers, but as we wade into 2012 and beyond, it is becoming increasingly evident that retailers have a renewed focus on establishing a strong sense of loyalty and creating an engaging customer experience through cross-channel initiatives that are touching customers both in and — perhaps more importantly — out of the store.