Retail Rx emerges as catalyst for change
Chain drug pharmacies are not just reacting to change in the health care system. They’re driving it.
Issue 08-27-2012
HHS taps power of pharmacy
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is partnering with several retail pharmacy operators to help educate consumers about newly available Medicare benefits. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (l.) meets with Helena Foulkes of CVS/pharmacy at the drug chain’s store in Jacksonville, Fla.
Every new Duane Reade is a departure
Duane Reade has proven equal to the challenge of creating a worthy successor to its flagship store at 40 Wall Street in Manhattan, which after its debut in July 2011, quickly became a model of what the 21st-century drug store can be. Duane Reade’s store at 100 Broadway is housed in the
Rite Aid enhances loyalty program
Rite Aid Corp. has expanded the Load2Card capability for its growing wellness+ customer loyalty program. Starting September 2, wellness+ members nationwide will have +UP Rewards loaded automatically to their cards.
Shoppers Drug Mart to mark golden anniversary
As part of its 50th anniversary celebration in September, Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) is launching a number of special activities and promotions. Canada’s largest drug store chain has established an online portal so customers can share their memories of it.
Walgreens looks to provide ‘Food Rx’
Walgreen Co. is teaming up with the University of Chicago Medicine to launch a “Food Rx” initiative designed to help people with diabetes improve their eating habits by making better food choices more accessible and affordable.
Kinney Drugs appoints COO
Kinney Drugs has promoted Jim Spencer to chief operating officer. He had been vice president of retail operations. In his new post Spencer is responsible for overseeing retail and pharmacy store operations and the company’s retail merchandising department.
Bartell readies new headquarters
Bartell Drugs will move its corporate headquarters to West Seattle in October. The 58-store regional drug chain has occupied its current location in downtown Seattle since 1989. Founded in 1890, Bartell’s store network extends across three counties: King, Snohomish and Pierce.
Drug chains launch flu shot programs
With the end of summer in sight, the onset of flu season is just around the corner. Flu season can begin as early as October and continue through mid-May, but several drug chains have already unveiled flu vaccination programs to help consumers fend off the disease.
Kroger to open health kiosks at all stores
Kroger Co. is adding self-service health screening kiosks to all 1,950 of its stores with pharmacies. “Our customers tell us they want to make healthy choices but don’t always know where to start,” says Matthew Feltman, Kroger’s health strategy coordinator.
Big retailers to create mobile payment system
CVS Caremark Corp. is part of a group of more than a dozen big retailers that have joined forces to develop a way for customers to use their smartphones to pay for purchases and receive customized offers. The retailers have jointly formed a new company called Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX).
Retail sales take a turn for the better
Retail sales rose in July for the first time in four months, according to the Commerce Department, and a survey of importers and manufacturers found them upbeat about the upcoming fall and winter shopping season. Retail sales in July were up 0.8% over June, and 4.1% over July 2011, according to the
Wasson: NACDS gears up for next generation of trade shows
physically and emotionally. Community pharmacy is uniquely positioned to help patients achieve total health, and now we have an even greater opportunity to
Eventful year reshapes chain drug industry
This has been a year of unprecedented change for chain drug retailing. Indeed, in less time than it takes to tell, the industry has been altered in ways both subtle and dramatic. So quickly have things happened that many have been accepted as normal or ignored as inevitable.
Retail pharmacy gathers some momentum
Signs that the value of community pharmacy is gaining more widespread recognition are emerging with increasing frequency. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius added her voice to the chorus earlier this month. Speaking at a CVS/pharmacy outlet in Jacksonville, Fla.