BOSTON — Vision 2025 is the latest addition to the “intellectual capital” provided by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Total Store Expo. The look into the industry’s possible future will join Meet the Retailer, Meet the Market and insight sessions in provoking thought at the NACDS event next month at the Boston Convention
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has made several management changes in its merchandising division, including the promotion of Scott Huff to executive vice president overseeing U.S. merchandising operations. The changes were announced in a company memo sent by chief merchandising officer Duncan Mac Naughton. Huff, who most recently oversaw consumables for Walmart U.S, joined the retailer
GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Rick Dreiling will retire as chief executive officer of Dollar General Corp. next spring or upon the appointment of a successor. He will remain chairman during a transition period following the appointment of a new CEO. Dreiling, former CEO of Duane Reade, was named to head the dollar store chain in January
In the midst of the summer season, several of the nation’s largest mass retailers apparently remain confused, not over which direction to take going forward, but exactly who will be called on to get them there. The first to come to mind is Target, the nation’s No. 2 discount retailer. Target convened its annual shareholders
Walmart is in the early stages of a test involving its first company-owned in-store health clinics. If the project succeeds in its objectives and proves scalable, it could represent what Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen calls disruptive innovation, or if one prefers the earlier and more dramatic formulation of Austrian-born economist Joseph Schumpeter, creative
In a multipart series during the balance of the year, our team will examine key product attributes and marketing tactics from two different perspectives: the retail buyer and the consumer/shopper. We believe readers will benefit from an objective picture of the viewpoints that contribute to a product’s success at retail. This column explores the ways
ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has hailed the government’s postponement of final federal upper limits (FULs) for Medicaid prescription reimbursements based on average manufacturer price (AMP). Final AMP-based FULs under the Affordable Care Act, which were to take effect in July, will be delayed to provide “sufficient time” for implementation,
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Walmart’s small stores are thriving, according to Bill Simon, the company’s U.S. president and chief executive officer. “Neighborhood Markets and Walmart Express stores have been a big hit, providing fast, easy access whenever and however customers want it,” Simon said earlier this month during the Walmart annual shareholders meeting at the the
WASHINGTON — In a bipartisan show of support, the Senate confirmed Sylvia Mathews Burwell as the new secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in a 78-17 vote. Although all of the no votes were cast by Republicans, two dozen members of the GOP joined with 52 Democrats and two independents in
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — A session billed as “The Big Debate” formed the centerpiece of the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores (CACDS) 2014 Annual Conference. The motion being debated was: “Be it resolved that pharmacy is a key member of the health care team.” The protagonists in the debate, staged in parliamentary style, were
WASHINGTON — HealthCare.gov is getting a makeover. The Obama administration is eliminating major parts of the online health insurance exchange to avoid a repeat of the problems that marked its launch last October, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing presentations to insurers and interviews with government officials and contractors. The overhaul and its tight schedule
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark Corp. says it has reinvented the specialty patient experience with Specialty Connect, a prescription services program. Leveraging CVS Caremark’s retail and pharmacy resources, the program offers patients “unsurpassed choice and flexibility in how they access their specialty medications” while providing centralized expert clinical support, according to the company. Historically, CVS
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Though same-store sales rose in May, Rite Aid Corp. lowered its fiscal 2015 forecast, citing factors affecting pharmacy margins. For the five weeks ended May 31, comparable-store sales advanced 3.5% year over year. The gain continued Rite Aid’s comp-store sales growth trend this year. In the front end, same-store sales edged
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Pharmacy industry veteran Michael Cantrell has been named senior vice president of retail health at Shopko Stores Operating Co. At the general merchandise retailer, Cantrell will provide strategic direction for the pharmacy, optical and Rx Care departments. He reports to Peter McMahon, chief executive officer of Shopko. A registered pharmacist and
