In this Issue

The retail behemoth of Bentonville, Ark., wants to lead Americans to better health habits, better nutritional choices and longer, healthier lives. It’s an ambitious mission for any retail chain, but given its long reach into the nation’s heartland, its enormous marketing clout and its massive consumer drawing power, Walmart’s ability to boost the nation’s health and longevity index may be unmatched by any other single entity save the U.S. government.

While Rite Aid and Walgreens Boots Alliance continue to work toward a merger of their two operations in the coming year, 2016 marked several milestones for Rite Aid. In the past year, the company has converted almost half of its store base to the highly successful Wellness store format.

With 981,000 prescriptions dispensed in 2016, independent specialty pharmacy operator Diplomat Pharmacy’s 8% script growth over 2015 was the result of the company’s continued efforts to move into and expand its existing presence in several markets — in part through strategic acquisitions of independent companies demonstrating best practices. Driven by its oncology and infusion divisions, the company’s growth brings with it more access to specialty drugs that have limited distribution.

With its sprawling, bare-bones warehouse stores and bulk merchandising, Sam’s Club virtually shouts value and low prices. But increasingly, the nation’s second-largest wholesale membership club chain also presents itself as a viable source for both lower-cost prescriptions and other products for chronic and preventive care, and as a community resource for immunizations, health screenings, self-diagnostics and other health-and-wellness services.

Wakefern Food Corp. continued to advance its health-and-wellness efforts over the past year, driven by a deep understanding of the needs of specific customer segments. One of those segments targeted by the operator of ShopRite supermarkets across six states are younger consumers.

By pharmacists: For pharmacists. That simple edict not only served as the genesis behind AmerisourceBergen’s new ABC Order system that was piloted last year, but also captures the spirit of how AmerisourceBergen and its Good Neighbor Pharmacy franchise operation approach independent pharmacy.

Hy-Vee is well-known for its health-and-wellness commitment, and the supermarket chain has been taking efforts up a few notches recently with new and expanded programs.

The Iowa-based company, which operates food stores in eight Midwestern states, has been growing programs for immunizations and in-store health clinics, while promoting in-store healthy foods’ departments and dietitians to support customer needs.

“The company prides itself on its dedication to health and wellness,” Kristin Williams, SVP and chief health officer, told DSN.