COSTCO

SEATTLE — Starbucks announced Thursday plans to reinvent the $1.6 billion premium juice market with its all-cash purchase of San Bernardino, Calif.-based Evolution Fresh for $30 million.

The acquisition, which is part of a strategy to move beyond coffee into the health-and-wellness segment, gives Starbucks a path to open new health-and-wellness stores in the coming year, it said, although Starbucks has not yet revealed many stores it will open, their location or the name.

NEW YORK — The Washington state government's cap on quaffable spirits popped open Wednesday as voters there passed a ballot initiative to allow private retailers to sell liquor, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A new report by social media software maker Conversocial examined the customer service offerings of the 10 most loved and most hated retailers in the United States, and how these retailers are meeting the challenge of delivering great social media experiences for their customers.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco reported net sales of $7.01 billion for the four weeks ended Oct. 30, an increase of 11% from $6.3 billion during the similar four-week period last year.

Total comparable-club sales for the month were up 9%. U.S. comparable-store sales also were up 9%, while international comps rose 8%. Excluding the impact of fuel and foreign currencies total comps rose 7%, U.S. comps rose 6% and international comps rose 9%.

PHOENIX — The Lily.B Skincare line has landed a second pilot launch in 20 Costco stores around the nation, the beauty company has announced.

In keeping with the Lily.B philosophy to “bring beauty to all the lives we touch,” Bishop is partnering with Toys for Tots and will donate $1 of every eye cream sold in Costco stores.

In addition, Lily.B was selected last week to be featured in the exclusive Country Music Awards' talent lounge. Founder Liz Bishop will be in Nashville, Tenn., for the CMA Awards from Nov. 7 to 9.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — PNI Digital Media on Monday announced an agreement with Walgreens to provide and operate an online stationery service for the Chicago-based pharmacy.

The service will allow Walgreens customers to create and customize unique cards, invitations and other printed material, including personalized photobooks and photo calendars, wedding invitations and business cards.

According to reports, the PNI Digital Media Platform reaches more than 14,000 retail locations around the world, 9,000 of which offer a one-hour pickup service.

ISSAQUAH, Wash., and WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — Costco and BJ’s reported some impressive same-store sales for June, but peel the onion back a bit and the numbers are not quite as stellar as they seem.

YONKERS, N.Y. — Important safety information often is missing from drug labels, while some pharmacies don’t include medication guides required by the federal government, according to a new investigation by Consumer Reports.