Financial News

SALISBURY, N.C. — Network growth and higher retail inflation prompted growth in both revenue and comparable-store sales for Delhaize America, the U.S. division of Delhaize Group, for the third quarter ended Sept. 30.

Revenue realized a gain of 3.5% to $4.9 billion, compared with the year-ago period, while comparable-store sales jumped 1.9%. Delhaize, however, acknowledged that due to the economic environment and the decrease of consumer confidence, particularly in the southeastern United States, volume trends were down from the previous quarter.

NEW YORK — Walgreens took to the road the week before Thanksgiving to talk turkey with analysts on why Walgreens is a good bet going into 2012, even if the pharmacy won't be participating in the Express Scripts pharmacy network this coming year.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Clorox on Tuesday announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 60 cents per share on the company's common stock.

The dividend is payable Feb. 13, 2012, to to stockholders of record on Jan. 26, 2012.

ATLANTA — SoloHealth, a consumer-driven healthcare technology company, on Wednesday said Stanley Blaylock, former Walgreens SVP and former president of Walgreens Health Services, will join SoloHealth’s board of directors. The announcement comes as SoloHealth prepares for a nationwide rollout in 2012 of its next-generation, consumer health screening kiosk, the SoloHealth Station.

AZUSA, Calif. — Beauty company Physicians Formula Holdings has completed the previously announced refinancing of its subordinated debt held by Mill Road Capital, and expects interest expense to be reduced by $1.5 million for the first 12 months, following the refinancing.

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — German drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals invested more than $350 million in its U.S. operations this year, the company said Tuesday.

WASHINGTON — Retail sales edged up slightly during the month of October, the U.S. Census Bureau announced Tuesday.

Adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, sales totaled $397.7 billion. Retail trade sales rose 0.6% above September and 7.3% above the year-ago period.

Adjusted grocery store sales increased to $46.8 million from $46.3 million in September, while health and personal care stores saw adjusted sales of $23.3 million from $23.1 million last month.

NEW YORK — American Express has announced the launch of the American Express for Target card, a reloadable prepaid card with no monthly or maintenance fees, available exclusively at more than 1,000 U.S. Target stores.