Financial News

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Census Bureau on Tuesday reported that retail sales continue on a positive trend, edging up 0.3% for the month of January.

The increase to $381.6 billion marked the seventh consecutive month of gains for retail sales. Total sales for the month were above the year-ago period by 7.8%.

The report also noted that grocery stores experienced a 1.4% increase to nearly $45 million for the month, while health and personal care stores sales rose 0.5% to about $22.3 million.

CINCINNATI — HealthWarehouse.com on Tuesday announced that it has consummated two separate transactions to acquire all the online assets of Hocks Pharmacy, an online reseller of over-the-counter medications, diabetic supplies and medical equipment. HealthWarehouse.com also will merge with a newly formed subsidiary of Hocks Pharmacy.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Watson's global generics business drove the drug maker's net revenue in the fourth quarter, according to a financial earnings release.

SALT LAKE CITY — Tongue cleaner Orabrush has closed a $2.5 million investment round with True Ventures of Palo Alto, Calif., and returning investor 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners of Chicago. The funds will be used to help accelerate the company's retail growth strategy, according to the manufacturer.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Operations at Winn-Dixie Stores continued to improve across the second quarter, helping to drive shares up by 11 cents to $6.92 per share in mid-day trading.

“Overall I feel good about our progress this quarter,” Peter Lynch, Winn-Dixie chairman, CEO and president, told analysts Tuesday morning during a conference call. “[We] continued to improve sales through strategic adjustments to our promotional activity.”

MONTVALE, N.J. — Bankrupt grocer A&P has filed a motion seeking court approval to close 32 stores in six states as the company continues to implement its financial and operational restructuring. The store closures are expected to be completed in the company's fiscal first quarter, subject to court approval.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Total retail sales grew 5.5% during the month of January, according to MasterCard Advisors’ "SpendingPulse" report.

The increase underscored that shopping and spending maintained its momentum, following a strong holiday season. The last two months, MasterCard Advisors noted, marked the strongest growth rate for total U.S. retail sales (excluding autos) since April 2010. Additionally, "year-to-year growth for three-month totals stood at 4.9% in January, the highest growth rate since August 2007," MasterCard Advisors reported.

TORONTO — Front-end sales rendered positive results for Shoppers Drug Mart during the fourth quarter ended Jan. 1, the Canadian drug store chain said.

Strong sales gains in the beauty, confection and convenient food and beverage categories drove front-end sales up 5.5%, Shoppers reported. The big gain, the company said, contributed to the 2.9% increase of its fourth-quarter sales to nearly $2.6 billion.

Prescription sales for the chain, however, fell about 0.2%.