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Loblaw begins pilot on subscription based value program
A fee-based subscription pilot program tailored to the growing number of consumers shopping both in-person and online has been launched by Loblaw. Titled PC Insiders, the program looks to reward Canadians in ways that can’t be found anywhere else, according to the Toronto-based company.
CVS Pharmacy unveils Black Friday, Cyber Monday deals
With Thanksgiving days away, so are Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and CVS Pharmacy has shared the deals that will be available to its ExtraCare members this year. The Woonsocket, R.I.-based retailer said it will kick off a three-day Black Friday sales event on Thanksgiving Day to run through Nov. 25, and hold flash sales every day Nov. 26 through Dec. 2 from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. for the week of Cyber Monday.

OneTouch honors those with diabetes by launching #SmallVictories campaign

Johnson & Johnson’s LifeScan brand, makers of OneTouch Verio Flex, plans to honors those across the country with diabetes by launching a new campaign. #SmallVictories will feature in-person surprises celebrating everyday lifestyle changes that have helped in moving forward with managing blood glucose. This new venture resulted from a new survey showing that while 83% of people living with Type 2 diabetes feel like they are working to make everyday lifestyles changes, more than a quarter cannot remember the last time they received any recognition for their efforts.
Hy-Vee builds out infrastructure as it adapts to customer needs

Hy-Vee has outlined its plans to bolster its in-store and fulfillment offerings, announcing renovations and new facilities across the retailer’s eight-state footprint. The West Des Moines, Iowa-based company said that its efforts are aimed at adapting its offerings to meet customers’ changing lifestyle needs.
Physical stores to win out on Black Friday, Deloitte says

Seventy percent of consumers who plan to shop on Black Friday plan to do so in stores, while 47% plan to shop online, down from 55% who said they planned to shop online last year, according to a survey from Deloitte. Three-quarters of Americans plan to shop over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, the survey found. People surveyed plan to spend an average of $427 between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, up from their intentions to spend $400 in last year’s survey.
SodaStream brings flavor essences, Fruit Drops to retailers

Fans of SodaSteam will be pleased to know that the company has announced in-store availability for its latest product launch, the premier flavor essences, Fruit Drops. This announcement comes after the line of unsweetened products sold out within two weeks of becoming available on the brand’s website.

Fruits Drops enhance ordinary tap water when made into sparkling water with a SodaStream machine, contain zero calories, all-natural flavor and no preservaties, according to the New Jersey-based company.
Albertsons expands with El Rancho Supermercado investment

Grocery retail chain Albertsons has announced plans to invest in a Texas-based supermarket named, El Rancho Supermercado. The retailer focuses on stores for Latino customers, and will continue to operate as an independent company as part of the deal.
Ulta Beauty announces shifts within creative and media departments

Changes are coming to Ulta Beauty. The retailer who has over 1,000 stores located across the country has just announced new plans to work with McCann as lead creative agency of record, and Mediahub to lead all media planning.
Private label continues to gain traction

Private label just keeps chugging along.

Thanks to strong consumer demand for lower-priced alternatives to national brands and retailer desires to differentiate themselves from the competition, private label seems to keep gaining more traction in the retail world.

But there remains a strong undertone impacting private-label sales with Amazon and Walmart using the segment as a way to gain market share, usually at the expense of the other company.
Greeting card sales continue to hold steady

According to the Greeting Card Association, sales of the greeting card category — which they estimate to be between $7 and $8 billion — have held steady the past few years.