IRI, Kantar team to help CPG companies
IRI and Kantar are joining forces to help consumer packaged goods companies measure and optimize their marketing programs for both short-term sales gains and long-term brand health.
Business
WBA and McKesson to create German wholesale joint venture
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) and McKesson Corp. on Thursday signed an agreement to create a joint venture that will combine their respective pharmaceutical wholesale businesses in Germany with Alliance Healthcare Deutschland and GEHE Pharma Handel.
Nestlé makes strategic move to create global leader in ice cream
Nestlé announced Wednesday that it has reached an agreement to sell its U.S. ice cream business to Froneri, an ice cream-focused joint venture Nestlé created in 2016 with PAI Partners, for a transaction value of USD $4 billion.
Kroger and Walgreens form purchasing group
Building on a unique collaboration that first brought together Kroger Co.
Diplomat Pharmacy agrees to $300 million buyout by UnitedHealth
UnitedHealth Group pharmacy benefit manager OptumRx on Monday announced plans to purchase specialty drug provider Diplomat Pharmacy Inc. for about $300 million. The news comes amid continued financial struggles for Diplomat. In the third quarter, the company reported a $177 million net loss.
Merck to buy ArQule, advancing leadership in oncology
Merck and ArQule announced Monday that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Merck, through a subsidiary, will acquire ArQule for $20 per share in cash for an approximate total equity value of $2.7 billion.
Unilever announces changes to leadership team
Unilever announced on Friday a number of changes to the Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE) team. Amanda Sourry, president, Unilever North America, has decided to retire from the company after more than 30 years of service to pursue new opportunities.
CVS reports successful first year of Aetna integration
CVS Health announced Thursday it has successfully completed the first year of combined operations following the acquisition of Aetna in late 2018.
Sundial founder Dennis assumes new role
Sundial Brands’ founder Richelieu Dennis said he is transitioning from his roles as chair and chief executive officer of the company to establish and lead Sundial’s new Social Mission Board, as well as focus on his new entrepreneurial ventures.
Eos Products names new VP of marketing for North America
Eos Products announced the appointment of Jane Ko as vice president of North America marketing.
FDA clarifies position on CBD products
Cannabis stocks took a hit on Tuesday, after the Food and Drug Administration issued new guidance on CBD. In a revised consumer update released on Monday, the FDA emphasized that it’s currently illegal to market CBD by adding it to a food or labeling it as a dietary supplement. The agency said it
In-store experiences, speed to market and omnichannel cohesion matter most to consumers
Aptos has released the the findings of its 2019 Golden Quarter Consumer Survey. Data from the report emphasized consumers’ escalating expectations for store experiences, stock availability and a unified journey across in-store and digital channels.
Shoppers to spend about $415 per household over Thanksgiving
Seventy-nine percent of consumers will shop for holiday gifts during the period between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, according to Deloitte, which has dubbed the upcoming weekend “the most wonderful time of the year” for retailers.
NRF study says holiday shopping beginning earlier
WASHINGTON – More than half of consumers have already started their holiday shopping and nearly a quarter of purchases have already been made, according to the annual survey recently released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.
Albertsons Cos. names exec VP, chief customer and digital officer
Albertsons Cos. has named Chris Rupp executive vice president and chief customer and digital officer, effective December 3. Rupp joins Albertsons Cos. from Microsoft Corp., where she most recently served as general manager of the company’s Xbox Business Engineering team.