Content about president and CEO

MEMPHIS — Net income for Fred's jumped 49% during the fourth quarter to $8.6 million, or 22 cents per diluted share, compared with the year-ago period.

Despite the challenging retail climate and concerns that rising gas prices will take a toll on retailers' financial well-being, Fred's noted it will continue to forge ahead with its plans.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens in March expanded Joseph Magnacca’s role. As president of daily living products and solutions, Magnacca — the former Shoppers Drug Mart vet who as chief merchant of Duane Reade proved instrumental in the reinvention of the New York drug store chain — will oversee Walgreens’ marketing and merchandising operations, led by chief marketing officer Kim Feil and chief merchandising officer Bryan Pugh, but will report directly to president and CEO Greg Wasson.

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.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — This year's National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting will feature a lineup of speakers ranging from political leaders and policy experts to best-selling authors and culinary connoisseurs. This year's meeting will run from April 30 to May 3 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Beginning in mid-March, the AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour will embark on another 10-month tour to provide an expected $14 million worth of free health tests.

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition announced a partnership with Drug Store News to provide content about the dietary supplement industry to thousands of pharmacists participating in the media company’s new professional networking website.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has resumed its paid advertising campaign promoting the role of pharmacy in the healthcare delivery system.

Since 2007, the NACDS has emphasized its theme of "Pharmacies, the face of neighborhood health care,” and will continue emphasizing the value of pharmacy with the message this week.

NEW YORK — You can expect to see quite a bit of co-promotional activity between PediaCare and Little Remedies in the 2011-2012 cough-cold season, Prestige Brands president and CEO Matthew Mannelly told investors Wednesday morning at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2011 Consumer Conference held here.

IRVINGTON, N.Y. — Prestige Brands on Friday named Paul Hennessey VP operations.

“Paul's background in over-the-counter consumer products is a terrific match for our company,” stated Prestige president and CEO Matthew Mannelly. “As we continue to grow and become even more customer- and consumer-focused in OTC, Paul's leadership skills and extensive experience in supply chain manufacturing will serve our brands and our company well."

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — As previously announced and widely reported, March 1 marks the day that Larry Merlo officially assumes the role of CEO of CVS Caremark. Merlo, who now serves as president and CEO, succeeds Tom Ryan, who remains nonexecutive chairman until his retirement at the company's annual meeting of shareholders in May.

Upon Ryan's retirement as chairman in May, the company intends to elect CVS Caremark board member David Dorman as the next nonexecutive chairman at the 2011 annual meeting. Dorman has been on the CVS Caremark board of directors since 2006.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Walmart is convinced its sales woes can be solved by a renewed emphasis on everyday low prices and breadth of assortment. As Walmart looks to execute those strategies, the health-and-wellness category will continue to be impacted as it is a key area where favorable trends exist and it is easier to demonstrate price separation.

(THE NEWS: Walmart to refocus on U.S. unit as sales decline. For the full story, click here)

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Generic Pharmaceutical Association has elected its 2011 executive committee and board of directors, the generic drug industry trade group announced. As part of a reorganization last year, the board has been reduced to 12 members.

The GPhA said Watson Pharmaceuticals president and CEO Paul Bisaro had been reelected as chairman for a second, one-year term. Also elected were Mylan Pharmaceuticals president Tony Mauro, as vice chairman; and Momenta Pharmaceuticals president Craig Wheeler, as secretary treasurer.