MEMPHIS — Fred’s Inc. has bolstered its executive team with three major appointments while strengthening its specialty pharmacy presence with an acquisition. The regional discount store and pharmacy operator has named Bryan Pugh chief merchandising and marketing officer. Pugh most recently was chief merchandising officer for Walgreen Co., where he served for six years in
NEW YORK — A stellar December capped a strong year for chain drug retailers. Industry sales for chain drug stores advanced 5.8% in 2014, with same-store dollar volume climbing 4.6%. Both numbers were up by more than a full point from 2013, when total volume advanced 4.4% and comparable-store sales rose 3.1%. Walgreen Co. shined
In the not-too-distant past community pharmacy was correctly perceived as a conservative business whose members were intent on operating within a well-defined set of parameters and not rocking the boat. A generation ago it wasn’t uncommon to hear members of the profession joke about what they did as “lick, stick and pour.” The industry as
