Content about retail

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.

February 26, 2013

Dan Salemi to be named president of pharmacy at new Albertsons

Upon the closing of Supervalu's sale of five pharmacy banners to Albertsons LLC, Dan Salemi will assume the role of president of pharmacy at the new Albertsons LLC, DSN has learned.

MINNEAPOLIS — Upon the closing of Supervalu's sale of five pharmacy banners to Albertsons LLC, Dan Salemi will assume the role of president of pharmacy at the new Albertsons LLC, DSN has learned.

Salemi will succeed Supervalu president pharmacy operations Chris Dimos. Dimos will remain in his current role until the transaction closes. Supervalu has not named a pharmacy head for the 191 retail operations that will remain with Supervalu.

February 26, 2013

NCPA study finds 90-day scripts at retail delivered at lower cost than mail-order

A newly conducted study of millions of Medicare Part D prescription drug event data has found that community pharmacies provide 90-day medication supplies at lower cost than mail-order pharmacies and that local pharmacists substitute lower-cost generic drugs more often when compared with mail-order pharmacies.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A newly conducted study of millions of Medicare Part D prescription drug event data has found that community pharmacies provide 90-day medication supplies at lower cost than mail-order pharmacies and that local pharmacists substitute lower-cost generic drugs more often when compared with mail-order pharmacies.

February 26, 2013

Rite Aid tops drug chains in customer satisfaction, as Publix, Target, Costco lead among supermarkets, mass, clubs

Several pharmacy retailers got top place in a recent consumer satisfaction survey.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Several pharmacy retailers got top place in a recent consumer satisfaction survey.

A report released Tuesday by the American Customer Satisfaction Index ranked Rite Aid at the top among drug store chains, with a score of 77, a 3% improvement over last year. Walgreens gained 1%, for a score of 76, while CVS ranked 75, a 3% gain. The survey noted that CVS hit a low two years ago due to cost-cutting efforts.

February 26, 2013

Safeway pharmacists bridge another gap in care

All over the United States and Canada, retail pharmacy innovators keep stepping up to fill in more of the gaps that separate people from quality, proactive resources for health, wellness and preventive care.

One of the latest examples is Pleasanton, Calif.-based Safeway. In a new and groundbreaking alliance with the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy, the 1,641-store supermarket and pharmacy megachain has kicked off a long-term campaign to help its customers quit smoking. As reported by Drug Store News’ Alaric DeArment, Safeway pharmacists will deliver the program, which was developed by UCSF pharmacy school faculty, after being schooled in smoking-cessation counseling techniques.

February 26, 2013

Shutl to bring same-day delivery option in urban markets to brick-and-click retailers in March

Shutl on Tuesday announced the official launch of its North American operation and that service — Shutl enables omnichannel retailers to offer delivery of online orders within a one-hour window of choice — will go live next month in New York, San Francisco and Chicago.

SAN FRANCISCO — Shutl on Tuesday announced the official launch of its North American operation and that service — Shutl enables omnichannel retailers to offer delivery of online orders within a one-hour window of choice — will go live next month in New York, San Francisco and Chicago.

A Shutl spokesperson declined to identify specific retail partners prior to going live with the service.

February 25, 2013

Bartell collects teddy bears for children's campaign

Bartell Drugs is collecting donations of teddy bears to give to children in stressful and traumatic situations, the Seattle-based regional retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

SEATTLE — Bartell Drugs is collecting donations of teddy bears to give to children in stressful and traumatic situations, the Seattle-based regional retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

Bartell said it would work with local radio statement Warm 106.9 FM in the annual "Teddy Bear Patrol" campaign, which will take place through March 30. The chain's 58 stores will collect donations of $7 "Bartell Bears" or new or gently used bears smaller than 12 in.

February 25, 2013

Chasing the elusive omnichannel shopper

Omnichannel. It's one of the hottest topics in retail. It's seamless retailing in real-time. It's making sure that the brand experience coming out of a retailer is exemplary no matter how a consumer chooses to engage — on the e-commerce site, through an app for the tablet or smartphone, within the brick-and-mortar location or any two of those venues simultaneously.

February 25, 2013

Generic tsunami eases, but leaves transformed Rx landscape in its wake

The generic drug tidal wave became a tsunami in 2012, with some of the world's top-selling pharmaceuticals swamped by generic competition, and health plan payers scrambling to reap billions of dollars in financial savings.

February 25, 2013

NCPA survey: Closed-door LTC pharmacies dispense meds at 25% higher cost vs. retail

Long-term care pharmacies incur dispensing costs that are 25% higher than those of traditional retail pharmacies and provide additional services to meet the unique health needs of LTC residents, according to the findings of a new survey released Friday by the National Community Pharmacists Association Long-Term Care Division.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Long-term care pharmacies incur dispensing costs that are 25% higher than those of traditional retail pharmacies and provide additional services to meet the unique health needs of LTC residents, according to the findings of a new survey released Friday by the National Community Pharmacists Association Long-Term Care Division.

February 25, 2013

Supervalu to focus on 'right-sizing' going forward

When Supervalu announced this past summer a review of strategic alternatives, its goals were to improve its business, better position the company for the future and create the best opportunity to deliver shareholder value. This effort has led to the sale of 877 stores to AB Acquistion.

Following the sale, Supervalu will consist of its wholesaler business, which serves 1,950 stores across the country; Save-A-Lot with approximately 1,300 stores across 35 states; and Supervalu's regional retail food banners Cub, Farm Fresh, Shoppers, Shop 'n Save and Hornbacher's.

February 22, 2013

Community-based diabetes efforts should involve retail pharmacies

The YMCA is offering a demonstration project to show that its YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program — part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's broader National Diabetes Prevention Program — can lower the incidence of Type 2 diabetes and reduce medical costs incurred by Medicare. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation is funding the project, whereby YMCAs in 17 communities that deliver the program will offer it at no cost to 10,000 Medicare enrollees over the next three years, and the YMCA expects it to save Medicare $4.2 million over three years and $53 million over six years.

It's been said that, "It takes a village to raise a child," and because chronic disease is an issue that affects communities as a whole - not just individuals - it would make sense for community-based organizations to target a growing national health crisis like the diabetes epidemic.

February 22, 2013

Innovative pharmacy services promote improved patient care, life quality, NACDS head writes

The head of a trade organization for retail pharmacies critiqued the conclusions of an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal that cast doubt on some of the potential benefits of accountable care organizations.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The head of a trade organization for retail pharmacies critiqued the conclusions of an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal that cast doubt on some of the potential benefits of accountable care organizations.

February 22, 2013

Rite Aid finishes debt-refinancing transactions

Rite Aid has completed a series of debt financing transactions it announced recently, the retail pharmacy chain said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has completed a series of debt financing transactions it announced recently, the retail pharmacy chain said.

The transactions were meant to extend the maturity of a portion of the retailer's debt and lower its interest expenses.

February 22, 2013

‘World Class’ in session at WAG U

Competing in the new age of retail, where bricks, clicks and anything in between compete for a larger share of the omnichannel customer, will require new skill sets and a generally better educated workforce at every level of the organization, but particularly at the store level.

Walgreens on Friday opened the doors to "Walgreens University,” an internal education center equipped with technology-enhanced classrooms, a mock drug store and video-conferencing capabilities. The new learning center will be the base of operations for employee educational programs offered online and in regional locations nationwide.

February 21, 2013

CVS/pharmacy revamps private-label products

CVS/pharmacy is making some changes to its Gold Emblem food product line, including enhanced ingredients and new flavors, the retail pharmacy chain said.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is making some changes to its Gold Emblem food product line, including enhanced ingredients and new flavors, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

The line has been revamped with more options and a new look. Gold Emblem includes more than 250 products, such as nuts, trail mixes, chips, pretzels, dried candies, cookies, spices, juices, condiments, baking products and breakfast bars. CVS introduced it in 1995, making it one of the first private-label food lines created by a major drug store chain.

February 21, 2013

Kerr Drug completes chainwide implementation of PDX pharmacy system

Kerr Drug has rolled out the PDX Enterprise Pharmacy System chainwide, the retail pharmacy chain said.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug has rolled out the PDX Enterprise Pharmacy System chainwide, the retail pharmacy chain said.

Kerr said the system would help it focus on "the future of pharmacy," with increased prescription volume and higher patient care requirements.

February 21, 2013

UrgentRx expands distribution into Duane Reade, Walmart

UrgentRx announced expansion of its line of fast-acting over-the-counter flavored powder medications into Duane Reade and Walmart.

DENVER — UrgentRx on Wednesday announced expansion of its line of fast-acting over-the-counter flavored powder medications into Duane Reade and Walmart.

February 20, 2013

Bartell to open 59th store in downtown Seattle

Bartell Drugs will build its 59th store in one of Seattle's fastest-growing neighborhoods, the regional retail pharmacy chain said Wednesday.

SEATTLE — Bartell Drugs will build its 59th store in one of Seattle's fastest-growing neighborhoods, the regional retail pharmacy chain said Wednesday.

Bartells said it would open the store in the South Lake Union neighborhood, home to a growing number of residents and also Amazon's headquarters.

February 20, 2013

GNC marks mass retail for nationwide distribution of its 'Marked' portfolio

GNC is ramping up its reach beyond its 6,100 retail outlets, Joe Fortunato, the company's chairman, president and CEO, told analysts last week.

PITTSBURGH — GNC is ramping up its reach beyond its 6,100 retail outlets, Joe Fortunato, the company's chairman, president and CEO, told analysts last week. The company's relationship with Sam's Club, which incorporated a branded shelf in July, is expanding; new products are being introduced to PetSmart, suggesting potential growth in pet supplements; and GNC's Marked line, co-developed with action movie star Mark Wahlberg, has been launched through Rite Aid and Walgreens.

February 20, 2013

Hamacher Resource Group calls 2012 charitable donations 'exceptional'

Employees of retail health firm Hamacher Resource Group contributed more than $10,000 to local charities last year, the company said.

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Employees of retail health firm Hamacher Resource Group contributed more than $10,000 to local charities last year, the company said.

"A vital part of our culture is that we are a caring organization," HRG president Dawn Vogelsang said. "We value our employees, and it's important to us to honor and support organizations that they believe in with our contributions."

February 20, 2013

NACDS, NCPA offer suggestions to DEA on drug take-back programs

Lobbying groups for the retail pharmacy industry have a few suggestions for the Drug Enforcement Administration for drug take-back programs.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Lobbying groups for the retail pharmacy industry have a few suggestions for the Drug Enforcement Administration for drug take-back programs.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores expressed support for a rule the DEA proposed in December to govern the secure disposal of controlled substances by DEA registrants - including pharmacies - and patients, as well as people acting on their behalf.

February 19, 2013

Anthem suspends controversial Calif. mail-order specialty pharmacy policy

Anthem Blue Cross will indefinitely suspend a policy that would require many specialty pharmacy patients in California, most of them HIV patients, to receive their drugs via mail order in order to receive coverage for them, drawing criticism from patients and retail pharmacies.

NEW YORK — Anthem Blue Cross will indefinitely suspend a policy that would require many specialty pharmacy patients in California, most of them HIV patients, to receive their drugs via mail order in order to receive coverage for them, drawing criticism from patients and retail pharmacies.

February 19, 2013

Longtime Stater Bros. exec promoted to head of retail ops

Stater Bros. announced Dan Meyer has been promoted to EVP retail operations.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Stater Bros. announced Dan Meyer has been promoted to EVP retail operations. In this position, Meyer will be responsible for the retail operations of all 167 Stater Bros. Supermarkets as well as overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Corporate Training Center.

Meyer is a 42-year member of the Stater Bros. "family." He first joined Stater Bros. in 1971 as a Courtesy Clerk at the company's La Sierra Supermarket in Riverside and progressed through a range of retail store and district supervision positions.