Financial News

Rite Aid Wednesday evening outlined the number of tools the company has on hand in the delivery of low-cost, high-cost health and wellness services as it enters a new era featuring a tighter network of stores and a broad selection of diverse health services.

The online giant claimed an estimated 44% of all U.S. e-commerce sales in 2017, according to a study from One Click Retail. Amazon also accounted for 4% of the country’s total retail sales for the year — approximately $200 billion, revealed the study, “Amazon Year in Review: The 5 Biggest Trends of 2017.

Retailers have plenty to cheer at the beginning of the new year.

Holiday sales increased 4.9% in 2017, setting a new record for dollars spent, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse. It was the largest year-over-year increase since 2011. Online shopping saw large gains of 18.1% compared to 2016, boosted by a late-season rally. (The SpendingPulse report details holiday shopping from Nov.1 through Dec. 24 and covers retail sales across all payment types.)

It has been announced that Walgreens Boots Alliance will be reducing its stake in Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a pharmaceutical wholesaling joint venture in China. This announcement comes after the Deerfield, Ill.-based company announced plans earlier this year their plans to take a 40% stake in Sinopharm Holding GuoDa Drugstores.

Hershey’s has announced that it has entered an agreement to acquire Austin, Texas-based Amplify Snack Brands. This deal includes all outstanding shares of Amplify for $12.00 per share in cash.

Campbell has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Charlotte, N.C.-based Snyder’s-Lance. This move will enable the Camden, N.J.-based brand to expand its portfolio of leading snack brands, the company said.

London-based Unilever, a leading brand in personal care, home care, food and refreshments has received an offer from KKR — a global investment firm that manages multiple asset classes including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate and credit — to purchase its global Spreads business. The offer is for €6.825 billion in Euros and is expected to be on a cash-free and debt-free basis. 

Costco earned $640 million, $1.45 a share, in the quarter ended November 26, compared with $545 million, or $1.24 a share, in the year-ago period. Analysts had expected earnings of $1.33 a share.

Net sales rose 13.3% to $31.12 billion, better than analysts expected. Total same-store sales 10.5%.

Costco’s comparable E-commerce sales jumped 43.5%. The increase comes as the retailer has been investing to grow its digital capabilities, including a partnership with delivery service firm Instacart to offer two-day and same-day delivery.