Content about retail

NEW YORK — Despite nearly half of shoppers using social media every day, less than one-fifth shop through them, according to a new study by PwC.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is touting its stores as a "one-stop shop" for Valentine's Day shopping.

The retail pharmacy chain said Tuesday that stores had stocked up on items like cards and candy, including chocolates from companies like Hershey's, Lindt, Dove, Ferrero Rocher, Ghirardelli, Godiva and others.

Good, but it could be better.

I’m talking about the results of a nationwide survey of Americans who were vaccinated against influenza for the 2012-2013 flu season. Based on an online poll of nearly 1,100 adults in mid-January, researchers for Ipsos Public Affairs found a solid majority of Americans still rely on their family physician for their flu shots, but that retail pharmacies and walk-in clinics are making significant progress in their campaign to shift the center of gravity for immunizations away from the doctor’s office.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Monday named Sam Duncan president and CEO. In this role he succeeds Wayne Sales, who has served as the company’s president and CEO since July 2012. The succession was first reported last month, when Supervalu announced its agreement with AB Acquisition to sell five of its retail banners as well as enter into an agreement with Symphony Investors to conduct a tender offer for up to 30% of Supervalu's outstanding common stock. 

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Novartis Consumer Health on Thursday voluntarily issued a recall of certain lots of Triaminic Syrups and Theraflu Warming Relief Syrups that were manufactured in the United States prior to Dec. 31, 2011. 

The full recall resulted from a faulty child-resistant feature of the bottle cap may not function properly, enabling the cap to be removed with the tamper-evident seal still in place.

WASHINGTON — Most Americans who reported getting a flu shot in the past season received that vaccination in their physician's office. However, about 20% received their flu shot at a retail pharmacy and 12.6% at a walk-in clinic, according to an Ipsos Public Affairs poll released Friday. That suggests that as many as 18.5 million flu shots were administered to adults at retail pharmacy and another 11.7 million to adults at walk-in clinics. 

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Shopko has finished converting the 163 Pamida stores that it bought last year, the mass merchandise retail chain said Thursday.

Green Bay, Wis.-based Shopko announced plans to buy Omaha, Neb.-based Pamida in January 2012, with plans to convert Pamida stores to the Shopko Hometown format. The last 36 Pamida stores to be converted have marked their grand openings as Shopko Hometown stores.

TORONTO — Most retailers in Canada are ready for a phase-out of 1-cent coins, a national retailing trade group said Wednesday.

The Retail Council of Canada said the majority of the country's retail businesses were prepared for the disappearance of the penny and will follow the government's proposals for determining prices.

NEW YORK — This year's virulent flu season driven by a predominant H3N2 bug has people hitting their drug stores in droves in search of symptomatic relief, suggested an article published online by Forbes Monday. 

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — Peepers Reading Glasses on Monday launched an all-new line of designer sunglasses. The line is designed for both men and women and comprised of nearly 40 pieces with a variety of colors and 37 different styles. Suggested retail price ranges between $17 and $40.

BOSTON — Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt is adding three new flavors to its line of Greek yogurt bars with coconut, mango and vanilla bean flavors to hit retail store shelves in February.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is embarking on its third attempt to branch out from its chain of  Southern comfort food restaurants by expanding a lineup of branded food products to be offered at grocers and outside retail outlets.

"Our research shows that our guests would like to be able to purchase Cracker Barrel products in places other than just our restaurants and retail stores, and we believe that there is opportunity here to meet that desire," the company stated.