Content about retail

Rite Aid's latest Wellness store concept features a new interactive Vision Center kiosk that allows customers to try new frames in the store and order prescription glasses and contact lenses for home delivery. It's not only an example of flowing self-diagnostic solutions into the self-care aisles, but it also keeps those customers in the store longer. And because it's positioned opposite the pharmacy, it can make that quick wait for the prescription that was just dropped off that much faster.

There's a lot to like about the As Seen On TV category. It has a sell-through rate between 10% and 20%. Margins also are in the double-digits. Best of all, the products that make it to retail shelves are proven winners.

"Our market model is very sound," said AJ Khubani, CEO of TeleBrands. "As a group of companies, we test market hundreds of products on television, then bring the top 10 to retail. Drug chains are only getting the products that are most successful. They are consumer-tested with a known demand and significant advertising support."

Understanding the needs of the multicultural marketplace, personal care company Sundial Brands, the maker of SheaMoisture, is working to take a new general market positioning at retail. Richelieu Dennis, founder and CEO of Sundial Brands, talked with Drug Store News about the brand’s heritage and how it is catering to the needs of its customers.

DALLAS — Burgeoning manufacturing company Accelerated Manufacturing Solutions is anticipating an exciting year ahead as it celebrates two key achievements: the launch of its new brand of soft cosmetic bags and travel cases, which has already gained distribution at Walmart, and being awarded the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council certification for woman-owned businesses.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Results of a survey indicate a positive response among patients to redesigned patient medication information distributed to patients at retail pharmacy chains in two states as part of an eight-week program.

Catalina Health said it launched the eight-week quality improvement initiative in August 2012 to disseminate the information focusing on three medications dispensed in stores in an unnamed "leading pharmacy chain" in California and Michigan.

CAMPTON, Ky. — Chuck Woolery, TV personality and game show host, has recently acquired a minority stake in Nature’s Health Connection, Inc., the makers of Australian Dream Arthritis Pain Relief Cream.

Mr. Woolery, who has recently appeared as a spokesperson in a radio commercial campaign for the pain relief cream, began using Australian Dream to treat his own minor arthritis pain. Mr. Woolery was so satisfied by the results he experienced with product, he decided to invest in the company.

DUBLIN, Calif. — Tria Beauty, a maker of light-based skin care products and technology, has inked a new partnership with beauty retailer Ulta.

Ulta will be featuring the Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X, the Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light for acne and a line of topical skin care products on Ulta.com. The Tria Laser 4X and SmoothStart Calming Gel will launch in 25 Ulta doors in mid-April.

NEW YORK — The Jean Coutu Group sold 72.5 million of its 178.4 million shares of Rite Aid stock, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Monday and company announcement Tuesday.

The Canadian retail pharmacy group said it sold the shares for $158.5 million and would record a gain of $49.7 million in its net profit during first quarter 2014. The sale brings Jean Coutu's stake in Rite Aid down to 11.7%, the company said.

The health and pharmacy marketplace is undergoing rapid and fundamental transformation. To navigate profitably in tomorrow’s complex and shifting healthcare system, the pharmacy benefit management industry — along with the pharmacies and health plan payers allied with PBMs — are going to have to change and adapt as well.

LAS VEGAS — The Convenient Care Association and Drug Store News have announced the agenda for the Executive and Health Systems Leadership Colloquium for this year’s Retail Clinician Education Congress, which will be held in May in Las Vegas.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Mars Chocolate North America offered Drug Store News a sneak peek at the company's anticipated lineup for Valentine's Day 2014. The company plans a robust line of products with plenty of new items for retail shelves.

Among the new items that will be available at retailers nationwide are:

• Twix Brand Caramel Heart Singles: A Twix candy in the shape of a heart (SRP $.79-$.99)

• Dove Brand Silky Smooth Milk Chocolate Truffle Hearts Tin: (SRP $4.99)

A new Kalorama Information report found that most patients — 91% — who had used a retail clinic were either satisfied or very satisfied with their visit.

The findings are in line with prior studies, which have long been reported by Drug Store News, and are yet further evidence that retail clinics are playing a vital role in the U.S. healthcare system.