Former Walgreens exec to lead store ops at Fred’s
John Foley, a former retail operations executive at Walgreens, is joining Fred’s Inc. as executive vice president of store operations.
Retail News
Pharmacy fuels 2Q sales at Jean Coutu stores
Gains in the pharmacy offset slow front-end business to lift sales for Jean Coutu Group’s retail store network in the fiscal 2016 second quarter. Jean Coutu said Wednesday that for the second quarter ended Aug. 29., revenue for the franchised store network rose 2.6% to nearly $1.
Walmart plans ‘America’s biggest health fair’
This Saturday, Walmart plans to hold what it calls “America’s biggest health fair.” The retail giant said Tuesday that it will offer free blood glucose, blood pressure and vision screenings along with product samples and health insurance information at more than 4,400 stores nationwide on Oct. 10.
CVS to roll out hearing, optical services
CVS/pharmacy plans to add hearing centers in seven stores and provide optical services in another five stores.
Rite Aid turns spotlight on pharmacy team
To celebrate American Pharmacist Month, Rite Aid Corp. has launched its annual “Vote for Your Favorite Pharmacy Team Member Contest.” The drug chain said Thursday that the contest, which runs to Oct. 31, gives customers a chance to win $2,500 in Rite Aid gift cards by nominating a favorite member of
Hi-School Pharmacy returns to Vancouver
After a dozen years, Hi-School Pharmacy has come back to Vancouver, Wash. The regional drug chain has opened a new store in Vancouver’s Minnehaha area at 3200 NE 52nd Street. The location is the retailer’s first new store following a 12-year absence in the market with the sale of 11 stores to
New Meijer president joined company as pharmacist
An executive with a pharmacy background has been named as the new president of Meijer Inc. The supercenter chain said Friday that Rick Keyes, executive vice president of supply chain and manufacturing, takes over from J.K.
Supervalu CEO Duncan to retire
Supervalu Inc. president and chief executive officer Sam Duncan plans to retire early next year. The food and drug retailer said late Thursday that Duncan, 63, is slated to step down on Feb. 29, 2016, upon the end of the company’s fiscal year. A search is under way for a new CEO, and
Survey: Drug stores part of Halloween shopping mix
Drug stores will again be a staple destination for Halloween shoppers this fall. The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) said Thursday that chain drug stores are among the most popular retail outlets for Halloween shoppers.
Bartell Drugs, Oberto kick off in-store donation program
Bartell Drugs and the all-natural jerky snack brand Oberto Beef Jerky have teamed up to raise money for the Seattle Children’s Hospital in support of its mission to prevent, treat and eliminate pediatric diseases.
September same-store sales rise at Rite Aid
Same-store sales at Rite Aid Corp. edged up in September despite flat results in the front end. Rite Aid said Thursday that for the four weeks ended Sept. 26, comparable-store sales rose 1.5% year over year, about the same as the 1.6% comp-store gain in August. Front-end same-store sales dipped 0.1%
Western Union bill pay launched at Walgreens
Walgreens has rolled out Western Union Bill Payment services via digital self-service kiosks chainwide. Western Union Co. said Wednesday that the service will enable the drug chain’s customers to make payments to 15,000 billers in and outside the United States.
CVS ups the ante in connected health
CVS Health is partnering with startup accelerator MassChallenge and digital health venture fund Rock Health to drive innovation in connected health solutions and and expand areas of focus.
NACDS hails CMS effort to drive MTM
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is applauding a move by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to boost Medicare Part D patients’ participation in medication therapy management (MTM) programs.
Meijer president Symancyk joins sports/outdoors chain
Meijer Inc. president J.K. Symancyk is leaving the company to join Academy Sports + Outdoors, a sports, outdoor and lifestyle retailer, as president and chief executive officer. Academy Ltd. said Symancyk is slated to join the company on Nov. 2.
Benzer Pharmacy steadily grows base of stores
Pushing ahead with its expansion, Benzer Pharmacy has opened a pair of new locations and earned recognition in its home state for rapid growth. The Tampa-based retail pharmacy chain last week opened stores in Brandon and Jacksonville, Fla.