Retail News
WBA’s second quarter results beat expectations
Walgreens Boots Alliance’s second quarter sales and earnings topped Wall Street’s forecast, even as its net profit slid more than 20%. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.16 on revenue of $34.9 billion (up 3.3%). Analysts had estimated adjusted EPS of $1.10 on revenue of $33.
Shoppers Drug Mart partners with Avicanna
Avicanna announced Tuesday that Shoppers Drug Mart has selected Avicanna as its partner to transition its Medical Cannabis by Shoppers business.
Dollar General marks international expansion into Mexico
Dollar General celebrated its international expansion into Mexico with the first Mi Súper Dollar General store grand opening in Escobedo, Nuevo León in early March 2023.
Wakefern names industry veteran Mike Stigers president
KEASBEY, N.J. – Wakefern Food Corp.
NRF: Easter spending to hit $24 billion
WASHINGTON – Consumers plan to spend a collective $24 billion on Easter this year, up from $20.8 billion in 2022 and the previous record high of $21.7 billion in 2020, according to the annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.
Instacart announces suite of digital health tools
Instacart announced the availability of a suite of digital tools for providers across the country to enhance collaborative care, promote healthy choices, and deliver nutritious foods to patients and their families.
Annual consumer spend increased by 4.4%
Annual spending per consumer has increased to $10,471, up $440 versus a year ago, according to Circana, formerly IRI and The NPD Group.
Rite Aid partners with Amazon to offer 2-hour delivery
Amazon has teamed up with Rite Aid to offer two-hour delivery to Amazon Prime members in parts of Newark, N.J. and Burbank, Calif., with plans to expand to new locations.
High food inflation continues to impact consumer spending
Last year, food inflation at retail and foodservice exceeded levels reached during the Great Recession. Even with inflation currently moderating, higher food prices will continue influencing consumers’ spending and eating behaviors this year, reports Circana, formerly IRI and The NPD Group.
$2.9 trillion U.S. consumer retail market is set for repositioning
CHICAGO – Consumer demand is declining across nearly every U.S. discretionary general merchandise and consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, even as elevated prices recede from peak levels.
Andre Persaud leaves Rite Aid
Andre Persaud, chief retail officer at Rite Aid, has left the company. Bill Miller, senior vice president of central retail operations, will serve as acting head of retail operations. Chief pharmacy officer Karen Staniforth will oversee store pharmacy operations.
Coalition opposing Kroger-Albertsons merger launches website
WASHINGTON – A coalition of 100 organizations representing diverse interests from around the country have joined forces in the “Stop the Merger” campaign, a national and state-level effort to oppose the proposed $25-billion merger of grocery store chain giants Kroger and Albertsons.
Consumers spent less in February as discretionary retail sales fell 4%
CHICAGO – Discretionary U.S. general merchandise retail sales revenue fell 4% in February 2023, when compared to February 2022, and unit sales were down 5%.
Senators urge pharmacy chains to ensure abortion pill access
According to published reports, almost 20 Democratic senators are calling on Walgreens to provide more details about its recently announced plans to restrict access to abortion pills in certain states and pressing other major chains to make it clear where they stand on the issue.
Circana’s Diversity Advantage Program welcomes a new cohort
CHICAGO – Circana, the new combined company name and brand identity for IRI and The NPD Group, today announced its lineup of new participants in the company’s Diversity Advantage Program (DAP), which empowers company owners from underrepresented groups to drive business growth.