Winter Holidays

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s Pharmacy reported total sales for the five-week fiscal month of December ended Dec. 31 decreased 3.9% year over year to $222.9 million. Comparable store sales for the month declined 3.4%, compared with an increase of 2.4% in the prior year period.

Fred’s Pharmacy’s total sales for the year-to-date period decreased 0.8% to $1.978 billion versus $1.994 billion for the same period last year. On a comparable store basis, year-to-date sales declined 2.0% versus an increase of 1.5% for the year-earlier period.

BOSTON — Samuel Adams introduced two new seasonal beers: Hopscape and Fresh as Helles.

Hopscape, available this month, features citrus and piney hop flavors with a lingering bitter finish, making it best enjoyed during cold, brisk temperatures, stated Sam Adams. The company’s first new beer of 2017 is brewed with four varieties of West Coast hops that add pine and grapefruit notes to the deep golden wheat ale.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas, region is the top demographic market area for influenza activity, followed by Lafayette, La., and Puerto Rico, according to the Walgreens Flu Index for the week of Dec. 25.

On a flu activity gains basis, the same southern Texas region also ranks No. 1, followed by Lincoln and Hastings-Kearney, Neb., and Jackson, Miss., for the week of Dec. 25.

The top states for flu activity gains are Montana, Utah, Nebraska and Oklahoma, respectively.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Shopko customers donated hundreds of pounds of food for Feeding America and thousands of toys for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

According to Shopko, all food items were distributed to community food pantries prior to Thanksgiving, while toys were donated in time for holiday celebrations. In addition to the food items collected, the Shopko Foundation donated $100,000 to Feeding America to support its network of food banks in Shopko communities across the country.

POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Fruth Pharmacy got in the holiday spirit on Dec. 20 as its corporate office here made two separate donations.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The latest Walgreens Flu Index shows that Puerto Rico and parts of Louisana are the top spots for flu activity so far this season.

The Walgreens Flu Index is a weekly report that provides state- and market-specific information regarding flu activity, and ranking of those experiencing the highest incidences of influenza across the country.

The Flu Index shows which populations are experiencing the most incidences of influenza each week based on Index methodology, the data does not measure actual levels or severity of flu activity.

An anonymous donor is making this Christmas a lot merrier for some Sav-Mor Pharmacy customers in Illinois.

The retailer says it received a $1,000 check from an anonymous donor. The donor asked the retailer to use the money to help customers pay for their prescription medications.

According to WAND-17 in Decatur, Ill., Sav-Mor Pharmacy owner Dave Falk said the donation has made an impact with his customers. "The Falk family owns a total of 15 pharmacies in central Illinois and this is the first time an act of kindness of this magnitude has occurred."