Content about player

CARSON, Calif. — The energy shot business in the mass market still is dominated by one player — Living Essentials’ 5-Hour Energy has almost 90% dollar share — but Sato Pharmaceutical, which boasts its Yunker Energy as the No. 1 energy shot in Japan, is looking to challenge that domination with the launch and support behind its Yunker Energy product across the United States. The overall category was up 9.3% to $194.5 million across food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart), according to SymphonyIRI Group data.


SEATTLE — Seattle-based regional player Bartell Drugs is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the city’s iconic Space Needle — a centerpiece for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair — with a new multidimensional partnership that includes promotions and events throughout the anniversary.

Family-owned since 1890, Bartell Drugs already was a fixture in the Seattle area for 72 years as the first visitors took in the views from atop the iconic, 605-ft. Space Needle.

JERUSALEM — Israel-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is switching stock exchanges, the company said.

The world's largest generic drug manufacturer — and increasingly a player in branded and specialty drugs — announced Wednesday that it would transfer the listing of its shares from the Nasdaq to the New York Stock Exchange, with plans to start trading on the NYSE on May 30 under its current ticker symbol, "TEVA."

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The convenient care industry continues to hit noteworthy milestones as it grows and becomes an increasingly important player within the U.S. healthcare system. And now the fellowship of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia has elected its first nurse practitioner to its ranks: Sandy Ryan, chief nurse practitioner officer for Walgreens’ Take Care Health Systems.

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. — Redbox remains the dominant player in kiosk DVD rentals with an average of 55 million rentals monthly in second quarter 2011. The company, which built its market dominance on $1 rentals, is testing price increases in some markets. Redbox and Foursquare are partnering to allow consumers to use their smartphones to check availability and reserve titles at their nearest kiosk.


Competitor NDR is experimenting with DVD sales as well as rentals from its kiosks, and may expand the concept.

PITTSBURGH — GNC Holdings on Wednesday announced that Jenn Brown, two-time Emmy Award-winning sports journalist, has joined the GNC LiveWell team as its newest brand ambassador.

NEW YORK — Financial services firm Credit Suisse tabulated total basket increases of 2.7% year over year and 1% month over month for retail.

“Our monthly pricing survey in Dallas and Chicago showed that all retailers raised prices on a year-over-year and month-over-month basis with the exception of Jewel [a Supervalu banner operating in Chicago],” Credit Suisse research analyst Ed Kelly wrote in a note published Monday.

Nelsons USA marks the second branded player that should be making a significant commitment against iron supplementation in the coming year — the other being Meda Pharmaceuticals. Nelson, however, is approaching the market with a “less is more” mantra. In women with low iron levels, Pur-Absorb has a clinically proven high absorption rate of more than 40%.


MINNEAPOLIS — Target is poised to become an even more significant player in the world of health, wellness and beauty in the coming years, assuming the company can execute a range of initiatives designed to grow sales to $100 billion and double earnings per share to at least $8.


While the economic downturn battered retailers across all channels, new pharmacy services and a new state-of-the-art pharmacy system has helped regional player Kinney Drugs weather the storm.


CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble's Head & Shoulders brand has welcomed Minnesota Twins All-Star catcher Joe Mauer as its newest brand ambassador.

The brand ambassador team also includes Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year, Troy Polamalu.

Mauer will be featured in an integrated marketing campaign that will include traditional advertising, public relations, a dedicated Head & Shoulders for Men Facebook fan page, in-store displays at major retailers and a consumer engagement movement set to launch in July.

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle may be a regional player, but the company’s willingness to experiment with its pharmacy formats — including its latest HBW/pharmacy store-within-a-store concept — proves that it can shake things up.


In fall 2009, Giant Eagle put into motion its health, beauty, wellness pilot tests — a new wellness format that helps bridge the prescription files of the pharmacy with the natural health-and-wellness opportunities across the front end.