Bartell donates thousands of reading glasses
Bartell Drugs has donated reading eyeglasses to health care relief group Medical Teams International for distribution in impoverished communities in 18 countries.
Retail News
Jean Coutu Group marks opening of 400th store
The Jean Coutu Group has inaugurated the 400th drug store in its franchise network. The Canadian drug chain said it held a grand opening event on Tuesday for the 11,075-square-foot store, located on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in the Crémazie area of Montreal.
Rite Aid begins carrying affordable natural food line
Rite Aid Corp. has rolled out Wholesome Goodness, a line of affordable natural foods, at its more than 4,600 drug stores nationwide. The Chicago-based food company said that Rite Aid is the first drug chain to carry the Wholesome Goodness line.
Winn-Dixie, BI-LO kick off ‘Shield Yourself’ campaign
Encouraging people to protect their health, Winn-Dixie Stores and BI-LO have launched a flu vaccination program, which offers customers three options for getting a flu vaccine. Dubbed "Shield Yourself," the campaign is offering flu shots without an appointment at any Winn-Dixie or BI-LO pharmacy.
CVS makes its flu shot pitch to consumers
CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic have begun offering flu shots at all of their locations nationwide. And this year, the CVS Caremark subsidiaries are spelling out the reasons why they’re the place for consumers to go to get vaccinated.
Rexall adds ‘lite’ version of food intolerance test
Katz Group Canada’s Rexall and Rexall Pharma Plus drug stores are offering a lower-priced version of the Hemocode food intolerance system. Called Hemocode Lite, the solution helps people identify and manage sensitivities to 60 of the most common foods, according to Gemoscan Canada Inc.
Rite Aid expands e-coupon tool
Rite Aid Corp. is expanding the Load2Card capability for its growing wellness+ customer loyalty program. The drug chain said Thursday that starting on Sept. 2, wellness+ members nationwide will have +UP Rewards loaded automatically to their cards.
Walgreens, University of Chicago team up for Food Rx
Walgreen Co. has partnered with University of Chicago Medicine to launch "Food Rx," an initiative to help people with diabetes improve their eating habits by making better food choices more accessible and affordable.
Retailers form company to develop ‘mobile wallet’
Major pharmacy chains have joined with other leading U.S. retailers to form the Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), a new company that aims to provide consumers with a mobile wallet solution that would combine the convenience of paying at the register with customized offers.
Drug chains, HHS spotlight new Medicare benefits
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has teamed up with leading retail pharmacy chains to inform consumers about new Medicare benefits available under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health care reform law.
Kroger pharmacies to roll out health screening kiosks
Kroger Co. plans to deploy self-use health screening kiosks at all of its 1,950 pharmacy locations nationwide. The food and drug retailer said Tuesday that the Kroger HealthCENTER kiosks, provided by Stayhealthy Inc.
Pharmaca expands walk-in immunizations
Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy has began offering vaccinations for flu, whooping cough, pneumonia and shingles on a walk-in basis at all of its locations. The regional drug chain said Tuesday that its pharmacists can provide the shots to any customer who requests one during pharmacy hours.
Target: Many adults skip flu shot due to fear of needles
An online poll from Target Corp. found that more than half of U.S. adults don’t plan to get flu shots, with about a quarter of those people citing fear of needles as the reason. The discount store chain said Tuesday that of the nearly 2,200 adult Americans surveyed by Harris Interactive, 60% would
Kinney Drugs acquires four pharmacies
Kinney Drugs Inc. has wrapped up an acquisition of four independent pharmacies in central New York and Vermont. The regional drug chain said Tuesday that with the addition of the new locations, it now operates a total of 94 drug stores in upstate New York and Vermont. Two of the acquired pharmacies
London Drugs stores to pilot skin cholesterol test
London Drugs plans to pilot a noninvasive skin cholesterol test from Miraculins Inc. this fall.
Kerr Drug, Navarro renew ACHC accreditation
Kerr Drug and Navarro Discount Pharmacy have been approved for reaccreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), a nonprofit standards organization for providers of home health care.