NEW YORK — As much as the chain drug industry has consolidated, there is room for more mergers and acquisitions. That’s evident from the M&A speculation swirling about the sector in the U.S. and Canada, as well as recent activity. Lending credibility to the speculation is none other than Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) chief executive
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has promoted Steve Bratspies to chief merchandising officer for Walmart U.S., the retail giant’s largest business unit. Bratspies currently serves as executive vice president of food for Walmart U.S. The company said Friday that Bratspies is slated to take the reins as chief merchandising officer for U.S. stores on Oct. 19.
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — 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. Over 10,000 Walmart pharmacists also
DENVER — Pharmacy veteran Robert Thompson received the Harold W. Pratt Award, considered pharmacy’s highest honor, from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores during a business program at the 2015 NACDS Total Store Expo. Thompson’s pharmacy career spans nearly four decades. Joining Rite Aid Corp. in 2004, he served in a variety of management
NEW YORK — The world’s biggest retailer and a regional discount chain have attributed pressure on profits to trends in the prescription drug business. Walmart and Memphis, Tenn.-based Fred’s Inc. said lower pharmacy margins had eaten into second quarter earnings and pointed to lower reimbursements and a drop in cash customers as a result of
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — This month, Sam’s Club pharmacies plan to hold free diabetes screenings for club members and the public. The Walmart warehouse club chain said Wednesday that the screenings, to be offered on Sept. 12 at the 612 Sam’s Club pharmacy locations, are intended to help diagnosed diabetics assess their control of the condition.
DENVER — Retailers and vendors shared their experiences on the exhibit floor at the 2015 Total Store Expo in this NACDS-TV day three report. Hear from Luke Barnes of Ahold USA, who says the food and drug retailer is converting to a new pharmacy system; Arthur Dion of Walmart and Sam’s Club, who discusses health
DENVER — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores honored the achievements of several retailers at the Total Store Expo, with the Harold W. Pratt Award — pharmacy’s highest honor — going to Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy Robert Thompson. Thompson was presented the Pratt Award by NACDS chairman Randy Edeker on Sunday
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has hired veteran retail clinic executive Sandra Ryan to head its fledgling Care Clinic business, which was launched in April 2014 and now operates 17 clinics in three states. The appointment of Ryan to the new position of vice president of Walmart Care Clinics suggests that Walmart intends to aggressively roll
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. has, for the second time in five years, entered Chapter 11, a return that likely presages the death of one of the legendary names in the history of mass market retailing. The decision to seek bankruptcy protection one Sunday last month marked the end of the latest effort
CHICAGO — CVS Health, Walgreens, Walmart and Target are among more than a dozen U.S.-based companies forming the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative, an employer-led coalition that aims to create pathways to jobs for America’s young people. The coalition has set a goal to engage at least 100,000 “Opportunity Youth” — 16- to 24-year-olds who face systemic
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart will begin charging most of its suppliers new fees for stocking their products in new stores and for storing them in its warehouses. About 91% of Walmart’s suppliers will be affected, according to a company spokeswoman, who notes that some product categories, including adult beverages and produce, will be exempt. The
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The spotlight was on Walmart’s workers, or associates, at the company’s annual shareholders meeting early this month here. Walmart president and chief executive officer Doug McMillon, speaking before a crowd of 14,000 at the Bud Walton arena, told associates that “you are our heros,” and said they would be the key to
The year 2014 will be remembered as one of discovery about the power of niche and exclusive beauty brands at retailers in the United States, and that momentum will increase well into the future. Global retailers long ago recognized the potential for creating differentiation and loyalty with consumers through their own brands. The potential for
