Rite Aid, Western Union renew payment services pact
Rite Aid Corp. has renewed its payment and money services agreement with Western Union.
Retail News
Former WBA exec takes reins as Bliss CEO
Beauty care veteran Meri Baregamian, a former executive at Walgreens Boots Alliance, has joined spa and beauty products company Bliss as chief executive officer. Bliss said Baregamian took the reins as CEO effective July 7.
Ahold, Delhaize: Merger may close this month
Delhaize Group and Ahold expect to complete their merger by the end of this month. The companies said Tuesday that the closure of the $29 billion merger deal, announced in June 2015, still awaits final approval by the Federal Trade Commission.
Sobeys loses appeal of ban on pharmacy rewards
The Supreme Court of Canada has rejected an appeal by Sobeys Inc. to permit British Columbia consumers to collect rewards points on pharmacy purchases.
Walgreens to partake in Precision Medicine program
Walgreens plans to participate in the U.S. Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program, part of a sweeping federal medical research initiative to help develop individualized care based on a person’s genomic makeup.
CVS: Rx reconciliation can cut hospital readmissions
Medication reconciliation programs can help patients avoid hospital readmission and, in turn, unnecessary health care costs, according to a study from the CVS Health Research Institute.
Chief executive of Sobeys steps down
Marc Poulin has left his posts as president and chief executive officer of Sobeys Inc. and the Canadian food and drug retailer’s parent company, Empire Co. His sudden departure, announced by Empire’s board on Friday, comes just over a week after Empire reported a $2.13 billion net loss for its 2016
Fred’s Pharmacy makes strides in preventive care
Fred’s Pharmacy reports that it’s gaining traction with its preventive health care services. Fred’s said Thursday that it provided more than 100,000 preventive screening touchpoints during its 2016 first quarter.
CVS deploys mobile pharmacy in West Virginia
CVS Pharmacy has set up a mobile pharmacy in Elkview, W.Va., to serve residents impacted by the severe flooding that devastated the area late last month.
Walgreens Boots Alliance posts 3Q gains
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) saw sales and adjusted net earnings rise in its fiscal 2016 third quarter, with adjusted earnings per share exceeding Wall Street’s consensus forecast. WBA said Wednesday that its pending acquisition of Rite Aid Corp.
New Jean Coutu directors include Google Canada exec
Stockholders of the Jean Coutu Group elected two new directors to the company’s board at its annual shareholders meeting. The Canadian pharmacy operator said late Tuesday that Marie-Josée Lamothe and Michael Hanley have joined the board.
Jean Coutu store network sees 1Q sales uptick
Sales gains in the front end helped lift revenue for the Jean Coutu Group retail store network in the company’s fiscal 2017 first quarter. Jean Coutu said Tuesday that for the first quarter ended May 28, sales for its franchise store network edged up 1.5% to nearly $1.
Court rejects Visa, MasterCard settlement
An appeals court ruling has struck down the 2012 settlement of a class-action lawsuit over credit card swipe fees imposed by Visa and MasterCard. The settlement had been opposed by a significant portion of the retail industry.
Fruth Pharmacy issues Red Vest Award
Citing several heroic acts carried out by its employees over the past year, Fruth Pharmacy has created the Red Vest Award. Chosen staff members will receive a red vest and a lapel pin with the vest symbol.
Sanofi, Boehringer agree to $25 billion asset swap
Sanofi has agreed to a 22.8 billion euro ($25.1 billion) asset swap with Germany’s Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH that will boost the French drug manufacturer’s business in selling over-the-counter drugs.
Bartell Drugs, Safeway to open in new retail center
Bartell Drugs and Albertsons Cos.’ Safeway will anchor a new retail center here. The chains anticipate their stores will open next summer at Ridge Plaza. Bartell’s store will feature thousands of popular health, beauty and lifestyle products and a drive-through pharmacy.