In this Issue

Intimacy takes a vertical stand
As of this past fall, many retailers began facing their condom displays upright as part of a supplier-driven efficiency program that will end up creating additional shelf space. On average, three vertical condom packages will occupy the same space once taken by only two horizontal condom packages. That means last year, only four packages would have fit in this shelf shot, taken at CVS.  
Could 2011 be different?
NEW YORK — Within the next three months, a gallon of gas is expected to exceed $4.11, which previously marked the highest historical U.S. retail price set in July 2008. Prior to that, the highest that gas prices had ever been was $3.46 in March 1981.

CVS toasts ‘To Your Health’ with screenings

CVS/pharmacy is taking its focus on preventive care to the streets with its 2011 To Your Health program, staging more than 800 events around the country and screening patients for diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, bone density and vision. Each To Your Health event offers customers access to as much as $150 worth of health screenings, as well as medical reviews with CVS pharmacists; consultations with doctors; dental and chiropractic screenings; and referrals for mammograms and pap smears in certain locations. 
CVS takes beauty full circle

Beauty360 has been described as “a natural evolution” of CVS/pharmacy’s commitment to beauty, and there’s no denying that it is much different than any beauty department you’ll find in a traditional CVS/pharmacy store. As of press time, there were 25 Beauty360 stores in operation, located primarily in California. The first location was unveiled November 2008 at a Capitol district CVS store in the center of Dupont Circle. 
Leaving a mark

Counterfeit drugs are a problem that won’t go away. In a recent segment on CBS’ “60 Minutes,” Sanjay Gupta explored the dark underworld of drug counterfeiting. While covering the bust of a counterfeiting operation in Lima, Peru, Gupta — himself a doctor — said he couldn’t tell the drugs were fake. But luckily, several technologies have been developed in recent years that allow quick detection of counterfeits. One company developing such a technology is Mobile Data Systems.
Changing Channels — Photogator, GIANTmicrobes, teas and scones, and more

Take a bite out of clutter
Photogator has released an alternative to the clips, tape and pushpins essential in any office or home. The Photogator is an oval plastic stand with three curved slots that holds photo cards, recipe cards, photos and even retail signage.
Price: $6 (3-pack), $15 (10-pack)
PhotogatorStand.com
CVS proves it cares about beauty

CVS/pharmacy has expanded its highly successful ExtraCare loyalty program with the launch in January of the first-ever beauty club program for the retail pharmacy channel. The CVS/pharmacy ExtraCare Beauty Club provides ExtraCare cardholders, who register their cards, with additional rewards on beauty purchases and other beauty-specific benefits.  
Rite Aid barks up pet goods money tree

Drug retailers are doggedly pursuing the pet care category, with Rite Aid fetching its own piece of the $47.7 billion category, according to the 2009-2010 “National Pet Owners Survey” conducted by the American Pet Products Association. 
Macy’s acts on its beauty impulse

In an interesting twist, and undoubtedly a clear reflection of the blurring lines within beauty, Macy’s has implemented an open-sell concept of niche beauty brands inside select store locations. 

By October 2010, Impulse Beauty had made its way into more than 50 Macy’s stores across the country. An additional 50 Macy’s stores are expected to debut the concept in 2011. Impulse Beauty complements the department store’s traditional beauty counters, and enables customers to shop beauty brands on their own and seek help from beauty advisers if needed. 
Walgreens leads the way to ‘well’

Walgreens not only is the “Way to Well,” it also is the “Way to Stay Well,” as evidenced by this shelf talker in the dietary supplement aisle that contains a 44-page pamphlet titled “Vitamins & Supplements Q&A: Your A to Z Shopping Guide.” 

Inside are reasons to take supplements to both improve health and prevent disease. Specific supplement topics include the best supplements to take to help manage healthy blood-glucose levels, as well as bone and joint, cognitive, heart, immune and prenatal health.