2010 Retail Forecast: Chain drug execs look ahead
As the second decade of the 21st century gets under way, chain drug retailers across North America are being forced to grapple with a variety of issues critical to their future.
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Rite Aid customers can play ‘Game of Life’
In what it calls a first, Rite Aid Corp. has launched a shopper rewards initiative dubbed "Rite Aid The Game of Life" in which customers have the chance to win $5 million in prizes. Similar to the popular board game, the program calls for customers to collect and match game pieces
Organyc feminine care brand makes U.S. debut
Italian personal care manufacturer Corman has introduced the Organyc brand and new private-label feminine care lines in the United States.
All Walgreens, Take Care locations offering H1N1 vaccinations
Walgreen Co. said the H1N1 vaccine is now available daily at its more than 7,100 Walgreens pharmacies and 350 Take Care clinics nationwide.
December sales falter at Rite Aid
Rite Aid Corp. saw same-store sales decrease in December as overall revenue came up short of year-ago results. Rite Aid said Monday that for the four weeks ended December 26, same-store sales fell 1.8% year over year.
GSK puts Advantage Brands plan in action
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (GSK) has established several key sales, marketing and merchandising objectives for its retail partners in 2010 to capitalize on its Advantage Brands strategy, according to Mike McCormick, director of the initiative.
Get ready for Valentine’s Day
If, as someone once said, “timing is everything,” the timing of Valentine’s Day this year does not favor chain drug retailers.
Questions about consumers linger as ’10 begins
Americans still seem relatively unconvinced that there will be dramatic economic improvement this year, and that attitude will continue to impact shoppers’ purchasing habits, according to consumer market researchers.
Health care reform advances
Health care reform took a major step closer to becoming a reality late last month when Democrats in the Senate were able to muster the necessary votes to block a Republican filibuster and move their proposal forward. The procedural vote, which was held shortly after 1 a.m. on a Sunday night, saw all
NACDS conference to eye regional chains’ needs
With the industry’s smaller chains facing what many have described as an uphill battle, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Regional Chain Conference next month will touch on a variety of topics relevant to the future of those companies.
Pelosi asked to consider increasing FULs
As the House and Senate health care bills go into the reconciliation process, 16 representatives have urged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) to consider a higher federal upper limit (FUL) to determine reimbursements for Medicaid prescriptions filled with generic drugs.
Lofberg, Bisaccia tapped for key posts at CVS Caremark
Per Lofberg has been named president of CVS Caremark Corp.’s pharmacy benefits management business. In addition, the company has appointed Lisa Bisaccia as senior vice president and chief human resources officer. Lofberg, who was president and chief executive officer of Generation Health Inc.
CVS Caremark garners big PBM contract renewal
CVS Caremark Corp. has received a two-year extension on its contract with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) to provide pharmacy benefits for two years.
Drugstore.com inks deal with Luxottica
Drugstore.com has formed a multiyear partnership with optical store chain operator Luxottica Group SpA to expand online access to contact lenses in North America. Under the deal drugstore.com subsidiary Vision Direct Inc. (visiondirect.
Holiday sales report: Drug chains pleasantly surprised
Recession, unemployment, family, weather, an extra shopping day, convenience, price points under $10 and inventory management all impacted the 2009 holiday selling season.
Walgreens’ Wasson named <i>CDR</i> Retailer of the Year
The editors of Chain Drug Review have named Greg Wasson, president and chief executive officer of Walgreen Co., the publication’s 2009 Chain Drug Retailer of the Year.