RETAIL NEWS

The upper gastrointestinal proton pump inhibitors segment saw a 9% decrease — national brands only — in sales in multi-outlets for the latest 12 months compared with the previous year, with losses primarily driven down by large decreases at Procter & Gamble’s Prilosec OTC (-13%) and for GSK Consumer Heathcare’s Prevacid (-15%).

WASHINGTON — Jim Perkins, Albertsons EVP retail operations and special projects and president of its Acme stores divsion, has assumed command of the Safeway Eastern division as well, according to a report in the Washington Business Journal earlier this week.

Former Safeway president Dan Valenzuela "left the company to pursue other opportunities," the Journal reported.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — As the annual Medicare Part D enrollment period gets underway, from now through Dec. 7, 2017, Rite Aid pharmacies nationwide are providing senior customers with free resources to help select the right prescription drug plan or update their existing coverage for 2018.  

 MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Wednesday announced its acquisition of Associated Grocers of Florida in a transaction valued at approximately $180 million.

In just the past few months, Walmart announced plans for a naturally positioned color cosmetics line called Found. CVS has pumped in more than 2,000 natural, organic and naturally inspired items, such as Organic Doctor and Burt’s Bees cosmetics into 3,000 doors. And earlier this year, Target substantially built out its natural assortment and dubbed natural skin care as a business contributing double-digit percentage sales lifts.  

Consumers are increasingly weighing the health consequences of all of their purchasing decisions, including products for their four-legged family members.

From food and treats to toys and grooming products, shoppers are seeking items for their pets that offer the same healthy attributes as the products they buy for themselves.

Why here? And Why now?

Two great questions as I begin my journey as the editor in chief of Drug Store News. Why here is an easy one. I am joining one of the premier retail business publications in the land, one that has a long and storied record of closely covering the rapidly changing and pretty complex chain pharmacy industry over the years. DSN has a well-deserved reputation for keeping retailers and suppliers in the know of what is going on now, as well as what may be happening down the line.

Can other retailers find a comfortable — and profitable — niche in the marketplace, while Amazon.com and Walmart go toe-to-toe in their seemingly endless battle for retail supremacy?

The answer will not only define retail for the next generation or two, but also determine who will survive what many call the “new normal” in what is becoming a more complex and risky arena.