Content about retail

March 8, 2013

It has been just over a year since Frank Scorpiniti took the helm at Canada's Rexall Pharma Plus. And, as the Canadian retail market continues to heat up, the company has officially taken the lid off a reinvention of its business, from its stores and its brand, to the products and services in its stores.

March 8, 2013

Wrigley plans caffeinated gum launch next month

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. is launching a new chewing gum that comes with a kick.

CHICAGO — Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. is launching a new chewing gum that comes with a kick.

The chewing gum maker, part of Mars, plans to introduce Alert Energy Caffeine Gum next month, with full distribution expected this summer. The gum, which the company will launch at convenience stores, supermarkets and mass merchandisers, is designed for adults aged 25 to 49 who use caffeine for energy and want a portable product that lets them control caffeine intake, the company said.

March 7, 2013

Heel introduces new cold remedy brand portfolio, refreshes Traumeel analgesic packaging

Heel on Thursday announced the launch of the Reboost cold and flu product line and new packaging for the Traumeel pain relief product line.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Heel on Thursday announced the launch of the Reboost cold and flu product line and new packaging for the Traumeel pain relief product line. The Reboost product line brings together four of the company’s cold, cough and flu products under a single brand that has been specifically designed to speak to the consumer in a retail environment.

March 7, 2013

Rite Aid comps decrease 3.6% as same-store prescription count increases 0.3%

Rite Aid's same-store sales for February 2013 decreased by 3.6% over the previous year, including a 1.3% decrease in front-end same-store sales and a 4.7% decrease in pharmacy same-store sales, the retail pharmacy chain said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's same-store sales for February 2013 decreased by 3.6% over the previous year, including a 1.3% decrease in front-end same-store sales and a 4.7% decrease in pharmacy same-store sales, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

Front-end comps attributable to flu-related OTC products were flat, while pharmacy comps included a negative effect of 695 basis points from new generic introductions. Same-store prescription count increased 0.3%, including a 0.1% decrease attributable to flu shots and prescription flu drugs.

March 7, 2013

SoloHealth reaches 2,000 health and wellness kiosks in operation

SoloHealth has more than doubled the number of retail locations featuring a SoloHealth Station digital health and wellness kiosk to more than 2,000 locations over the past three months, the healthcare technology company announced.

ATLANTA — SoloHealth has more than doubled the number of retail locations featuring a SoloHealth Station digital health and wellness kiosk to more than 2,000 locations over the past three months, the healthcare technology company announced Wednesday. SoloHealth plans to have more than 3,500 health and wellness kiosks installed by the end of the year.

March 7, 2013

Walgreens to build nation’s first net-zero energy retail store

Walgreens on Thursday announced plans to build what the company believes will be the nation’s first net-zero energy retail store, which engineers predict will produce energy equal to or greater than it consumes.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Thursday announced plans to build what the company believes will be the nation’s first net-zero energy retail store, which engineers predict will produce energy equal to or greater than it consumes.

March 6, 2013

'Mini makeovers,' product demonstrations to be featured at Bartell's health and beauty event

Bartell Drugs is sponsoring "Health and Beauty" events this month at dozens of its stores, the regional retail pharmacy chain said.

SEATTLE — Bartell Drugs is sponsoring "Health and Beauty" events this month at dozens of its stores, the regional retail pharmacy chain said.

Events will start Sunday and run for 13 days afterward, and will include blood-glucose testing, glucose-meter exchange and education, cholesterol testing, bone-density screenings, blood-pressure testing and others. In addition, there will be free "mini makeover" demonstrations and hair styling tips by Conair and product samplings ranging from cosmetics to supplements.

March 6, 2013

Dermablend announces new tool to cover scars, unwanted tattoos

Dermablend announced the new Quick-Fix Illuminator, a multipurpose concealer and highlighter that brightens the complexion of the skin with the click of a pen.

NEW YORK — Dermablend announced on Wednesday the new Quick-Fix Illuminator, a multipurpose concealer and highlighter that brightens the complexion of the skin with the click of a pen.

March 6, 2013

HRG co-owner to present session on front-end business to pharmacy students

Hamacher Resource Group will present a session about pharmacy layout, design and OTC merchandising principles to first-year students at Campbell University's pharmacy school, the retail consumer healthcare industry market research firm said Wednesday.

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Hamacher Resource Group will present a session about pharmacy layout, design and OTC merchandising principles to first-year students at Campbell University's pharmacy school, the retail consumer healthcare industry market research firm said Wednesday.

March 4, 2013

CVS Caremark commits $15M to preventive health screenings in multicultural communities

CVS/pharmacy will sponsor more than 750 Project Health events in more than 10 cities, offering free health screenings to multicultural communities, the retail pharmacy chain said.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy will sponsor more than 750 Project Health events in more than 10 cities, offering free health screenings to multicultural communities, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

Project Health, or Proyecto Salud in Spanish, will deliver more than $15 million worth of free health screenings in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phiadelphia and Washington, as well as select CVS/pharmacy stores in Puerto Rico.

March 4, 2013

Erba Vita preparing to launch Italian supplement line into U.S. market

Erba Vita announced its entry into the U.S. market with a line of supplements, including Propolis, a resinous material collected by honeybees from tree buds and other plant sources shown to benefit the immune system.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Erba Vita on Monday announced its entry into the U.S. market with a line of supplements, including Propolis, a resinous material collected by honeybees from tree buds and other plant sources shown to benefit the immune system.

"Erba Vita has been helping Italians naturally live 'la dolce vita' for decades, and we are thrilled to finally bring this innovative line of products to American consumers," stated Angela Butler, director of Erba Vita USA.

March 4, 2013

Supervalu further solidifies new leadership team following AB Acquisition deal

Supervalu announced several changes to its executive and banner retail leadership teams, as it continues preparations to move forward with a focus on serving wholesale grocery operators, growing its hard discount format and running a smaller, more efficient retail operation following the close of its previously announced transaction with AB Acquisition (Albertson's LLC).

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Monday morning announced several changes to its executive and banner retail leadership teams, as it continues preparations to move forward with a focus on serving wholesale grocery operators, growing its hard discount format and running a smaller, more efficient retail operation following the close of its previously announced transaction with AB Acquisition (Albertson's LLC).

March 1, 2013

App designed to make NACDS Annual experience more convenient

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has launched a mobile app for its upcoming 2013 Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., the retail pharmacy trade group said.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has launched a mobile app for its upcoming 2013 Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., the retail pharmacy trade group said.

Sponsored by the Emerson Group, the app is designed to provide attendees with an updated schedule, list of speakers, floor plan, list of companies and other important information. The meeting takes place from April 20-23.

March 1, 2013

Kmart distributes more than $150 million in points to loyalty-program members

Kmart is distributing extra points to members of its loyalty program to mitigate the effects of high living costs, the retailer said Friday.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart is distributing extra points to members of its loyalty program to mitigate the effects of high living costs, the retailer said Friday.

The mass merchandise retail chain said it would distribute more than $150 million worth of points to Shop Your Way Rewards members across the country, allowing them to redeem the extra points through March 7 on such items as groceries, clothing, electronics and home goods.

March 1, 2013

Rite Aid expands NowClinic telehealth service to additional markets

Rite Aid has expanded its telemedicine service to 58 more stores, the retail pharmacy chain said Friday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has expanded its telemedicine service to 58 more stores, the retail pharmacy chain said Friday.

Rite Aid said the NowClinic Online Care service were available at stores in Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The service gives customers access to care, via a secure online video connection, from OptumHealth doctors and nurses. The company originally unveiled the program at nine stores in Detroit in 2011.

March 1, 2013

Same-day delivery is going to help separate omnichannel players from pretenders

Sears Holdings is adding some of its own fare to its mygofer.com offering, an online grocery service that "turbo-charges brick-and-mortar retailer assortments by allowing customers to get items from those stores where and when they want them in new, convenient ways."

"At mygofer, your list is our command," Sears tells shoppers on its website. "Shop with us for your prescriptions, groceries, beauty products, clothes, shoes, electronics and a whole lot more you might not expect. So whatever's on your list, we can help you get it — with incredible speed and no hassles. That's convenience."

March 1, 2013

Telehealth provides another way for retail pharmacies to provide clinical services

Rite Aid announced Friday that it had expanded its "virtual clinic" model to additional markets, now offering NowClinic Online Care service in 58 stores.

Retail clinics are an area in which Rite Aid has not invested to the same degree as Walgreens and CVS, but NowClinic shows that there are more ways to offer clinical services in a retail pharmacy setting than building an actual clinic. In 2011, Rite Aid became the first to provide such virtual clinics in a retail pharmacy setting when it launched the program as a pilot in nine stores in Detroit.

Rite Aid announced Friday that it had expanded its "virtual clinic" model to additional markets, now offering NowClinic Online Care service in 58 stores.

Retail clinics are an area in which Rite Aid has not invested to the same degree as Walgreens and CVS, but NowClinic shows that there are more ways to offer clinical services in a retail pharmacy setting than building an extra clinic. In 2011, Rite Aid became the first to provide such virtual clinics in a retail pharmacy setting when it launched the program as a pilot in nine stores in Detroit.

March 1, 2013

Walmart, Michelle Obama celebrate progress on push for healthier, more affordable foods

First Lady Michelle Obama paid a special visit to a local Walmart Neighborhood Market store to praise the efforts of the retail giant on its initiatives to put healthier, more affordable items on its shelves and thus, into the shopping carts of its millions of customers.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — First Lady Michelle Obama paid a special visit to a local Walmart Neighborhood Market store on Thursday to praise the efforts of the retail giant on its initiatives to put healthier, more affordable items on its shelves and thus, into the shopping carts of its millions of customers.

Three years ago, the First Lady created the "Let’s Move" healthy food initiative and the following year Walmart unveiled five broad commitments that aligned with her vision for ending childhood obesity within a generation.

February 28, 2013

Olay seeks to reinvent Pro-X line with consumer contest

Olay, a Proctor & Gamble company, is holding a special online contest that seeks ideas and proposals to reinvent its Olay Pro-X line of skin care products.

NEW YORK — Olay, a Proctor & Gamble company, is holding a special online contest that seeks ideas and proposals to reinvent its Olay Pro-X line of skin care products.

Idea proposals can address any number of categories, including: the Pro-X story and how and where it is presented; the existing products and ideas on new Pro-X products; the packaging and the labeling; the Olay Pro-X shopping experience, whether it be live and in person, retail or online. Everything about Olay Pro-X is fair game, as long as it makes Pro-X more appealing to women.

February 28, 2013

The top seven 'hidden retailer insights'

During last December’s Drug Store Industry Issues Summit our panel of retail executives discussed how to optimize consumer white spaces, creating new trips and value. If you were not there, you missed some great discussions by many of the top thinkers in our industry.

During last December’s Drug Store News Industry Issues Summit, our panel of retail executives discussed how to optimize consumer white spaces, creating new trips and value. If you were not there, you missed some great discussions by many of the top thinkers in our industry.

I believe everyone attending gained valuable feedback on how to uncover and fill currently unmet consumer white spaces. Two key themes were discussed:

February 27, 2013

Hollywood elite get behind fitness water launch

Music mogul Sean Combs and actor/producer Mark Wahlberg on Wednesday announced a joint venture with fitness and wellness water brand AQUAhydrate.

LOS ANGELES — Music mogul Sean Combs and actor/producer Mark Wahlberg on Wednesday announced a joint venture with fitness and wellness water brand AQUAhydrate. Per the arrangement, Combs and Wahlberg will oversee business strategy along with CEO John Cochran, former president of Fiji Water.

Together they will help drive the AQUAhydrate brand and be instrumental in helping secure retail partnerships for the water brand, such as their recently signed deals with Safeway, Kroger and GNC.

February 27, 2013

MinuteClinic signs clinical affiliation with North Shore-LIJ Health System

MinuteClinic, the retail healthcare division of CVS Caremark and North Shore-LIJ Health System, one of the nation's largest healthcare providers, have signed a clinical collaboration to enhance access to high-quality healthcare services in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the boroughs of Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.

GREAT NECK, N.Y. — MinuteClinic, the retail healthcare division of CVS Caremark and North Shore-LIJ Health System (North Shore-LIJ), one of the nation's largest healthcare providers, have signed a clinical collaboration to enhance access to high-quality healthcare services in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the boroughs of Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.

February 27, 2013

RightSize Health and Nutrition introduces new smoothies

As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, RightSize Health and Nutrition has introduced three new smoothie formulas, new packaging and a new website loaded with smoothie recipes and weight-loss tips and advice.

CHICAGO — As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, RightSize Health and Nutrition has introduced three new smoothie formulas, new packaging and a new website loaded with smoothie recipes and weight-loss tips and advice.

February 27, 2013

Target Canada rollout to be bigger than any annual U.S. rollout to date

Target is planning a rollout in Canada that will be bigger than any single year's worth of its store openings in the United States ever, executives of the company said Wednesday morning in a call with Wall Street analysts to discuss the mass merchandise retailer's fourth-quarter and full-year 2012 results.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target is planning a rollout in Canada that will be bigger than any single year's worth of its store openings in the United States ever, executives of the company said Wednesday morning in a call with Wall Street analysts to discuss the mass merchandise retailer's fourth-quarter and full-year 2012 results.

February 26, 2013

Carex Health Brands launches pair of new DME products

Carex Health Brands introduced two new items to its mobility lineup — the new Classic Wheelchair from Carex Health Brands and Carex's Two Wheeled Walker with Seat and Backrest.

NORWELL, Mass. — Carex Health Brands on Monday introduced two new items to its mobility lineup — the new Classic Wheelchair from Carex Health Brands and Carex's Two Wheeled Walker with Seat and Backrest.