RETAIL NEWS

Walmart is heading into the crucial holiday season on fire, with the chain posting a 50% increase in online sales in its third quarter and topping the Street’s profit, revenue and comp sales estimates.

The retail giant’s total revenue rose 4.2% to $123.18 billion in the quarter, versus estimates of $121 billion. Net sales at Walmart’s U.S. operations totaled $77.724 billion, up from $74.550 billion in the prior-year period. Net sales at Walmart International rose 4.1% to $29.5 billion, with 10 of its 11 eleven markets posting positive comp sales.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid on Tuesday promoted Rob Mullins, Rite Aid's current divisional pharmacy vice president of the company's Western division, to the role of senior vice president of store operations of the Western division. He succeeds Bill Romine, who is retiring from Rite Aid after more than 20 years of service.

MINNEAPOLIS —Supervalu has promoted one of its own. The company named Anne Dament as its new executive vice president of retail, marketing and private brands, effectively immediately. The company also announced the appointment of Stuart MacFarland to the role of senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, effective Nov. 18. He takes over for outgoing executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary Karla Robertson.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health is expanding the states participating in its apprenticeship program and set a new apprentice hiring goal. The company said it anticipates hiring 5,000 new apprentices by 2022 as it welcomes Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania to its program, bringing its total number of statewide programs to 18.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Two rural communities in Iowa will now have Hy-Vee pharmacy services. The retailer purchased two telepharmacies — one in Victor and another in Liberty — that will continue to operate under its name. The locations opened Nov. 6. 

Officials at the Global Market Development Center think that retailers have a great opportunity to build sales through several key general merchandise categories, including gift cards, clothing, books and media, this holiday season.

GMDC says that a National Retail Federation study found that sales during the holiday season will increase by 3.4%, with online shopping becoming the most popular consumer experience for the first time in survey history.