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CDR

California legislation a victory for Rx

California lawmakers have agreed that pharmacists should be considered health care providers, passing legislation earlier this month that authorizes pharmacists to provide additional ­services. The law, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on October 2, becomes effective on January 1.

Kelly becomes chief merchant at Rexall

Rexall Pharma Plus has added two seasoned executives to its management team. Mary Kelly has been named executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at the 436-unit chain, reporting directly to chief executive officer Frank Scorpiniti.

Ritzman buys five Mast Pharmacy stores

Ritzman Pharmacies Inc. has purchased five-store Mast ­Pharmacy. Ritzman picked up outlets in Sugarcreek, Berlin, Millersburg, Shreve and Wooster, Ohio, giving it a total of 25 full-service pharmacies in northeastern and central Ohio.

Jean Coutu sets stock buyback, dividend

The Jean Coutu Group has announced a share repurchase plan and a special onetime dividend to return as much as $502 million (Canadian) in cash to ­shareholders. The share repurchase offer covers 22 million Class A subordinate voting shares without par value, at a price of $18.50 per share.

Duane Reade taps Facebook

Duane Reade is conducting a Halloween-themed social media marketing campaign to promote its store brand hosiery products. The “Boo-tiful Legs” contest calls for entrants to upload original photos of themselves wearing Duane Reade brand hosiery via a dedicated Facebook page.

New study takes look back at last year’s flu season

The 2012-2013 flu season was the most severe in a decade, according to a new study from Walgreen Co. The report also reveals that many people delayed getting flu shots until November or even later, even though vaccine was available as early as August 2012.

Rexall aims to help prevent the flu

Rexall Pharma Plus is once again making it convenient for Canadians to receive flu shots, offering vaccinations at all of its stores. People can get the shots at any Rexall store at any time, with no appointment needed.

Walgreens offers financial services

Walgreen Co. is introducing a suite of financial services called Balance Financial that are integrated with its Balance Rewards customer loyalty card. The program has been designed to provide low-cost financial services to customers, including those without traditional bank ­accounts.

Dramatic changes energize Walgreens

Not often does change disrupt the orderly nature of things in chain drug retailing to the degree that the recent personnel shifts at Walgreens have altered both the personnel roster at that drug chain and the priorities of the many constituencies with which the retailer interacts.

Chains need to go beyond multichannel, omnichannel

Many retailers today are immersed in building multichannel capabilities. The multichannel wave has led to many good initiatives, making it easier for customers to interact with retailers across distinct channels, including fast-growing mobile channels. For example, A.T.

Dr. Brown’s introduces Healthy Wipes

Dr. Brown’s has launched Healthy Wipes, a natural option for safely cleaning a baby’s mouth, nose and face, as well as pacifiers and bottles. Handi-Craft Co., maker of the Dr. Brown’s baby care brand, said Friday that the line includes Tooth & Gum, Nose & Face and Pacifier & Bottle wipes containing