Albertsons

DUBLIN, Ohio — The recent loss of business from a key specialty pharmacy customer and the continued deluge of generic introductions will represent significant challenges for Cardinal Health in fiscal year 2013 as it approaches the year-end of its fiscal 2012, company executives told analysts during a conference call Thursday morning.

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons LLC is sharpening its focus on social media and digital marketing with the creation of a new social and digital marketing team that will be led by technology and social marketing expert Karl Meinhardt.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Recent events, which have driven Wall Street analysts to speculate that Safeway is a buyout target, are not interrelated, Safeway chairman and CEO Steve Burd assured analysts Thursday morning during the grocer's first-quarter conference call.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Monday announced three new executive appointments following the departure of Sue Klug, president of its Albertsons Southern California division.

Dan Sanders has been tapped to head Albertsons Southern California, Keith Wyche will lead Acme and Brian Audette has been named president at Cub Foods.

NEW YORK — Trading of Safeway shares on Nasdaq were up almost 75 cents in late morning trading on speculation that Safeway soon may be up for sale.

The speculation is borne out of a recent revision in the company’s change in control that would make retention of management easier and cheaper in a take-out, suggested Ed Kelly, Credit Suisse analyst, in a note published Friday morning. "While this is an interesting development, we do not believe it signals that Safeway is suddenly up for sale."

FORT WORTH, Texas — Albertsons LLC earlier this week announced the closure of 13 stores across the Sunshine State, leaving only four locations in the Orlando, Fla., area, according to published reports.

The stores are expected to close in early June and will begin liquidation sales May 9.

 

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Monday evening promoted Robert Edwards to president of the company. Edwards had served as Safeway's EVP and CFO since 2004.

FULLERTON, Calif. — Supervalu announced that its Albertsons/Sav-On banner is offering inoculations for whooping cough at 54 of its pharmacies in Washington.

The pertussis “Tdap” vaccine booster is recommended for those ages 11 years and older. Albertsons/Sav-On pharmacists are available to administer the vaccination to patients ages 12 years and older, the company said.

The vaccine is available without a prescription or appointment at $54.99 per immunization and a majority of prescription insurances are accepted.