RETAIL NEWS

Helena Foulkes, CVS Health EVP/CVS Pharmacy president

For a real-world look at the speed at which innovation occurs and what it means to truly have an innovation mindset, a panel of start-up companies — each at various stages of development and maturity — talked about the white spaces their organizations targeted and the solutions they created to fill those voids at a special Health Innovation Summit, hosted by CVS Health in partnership with Drug Store News and Mack Elevation in June.

Following is a brief recap of the companies that participated in the June 13 discussion.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance announced Tuesday that it has secured regulatory clearance for an amended and restated asset purchase agreement to purchase 1,932 stores, three distribution centers and related inventory from Rite Aid for $4.38 billion in cash and other consideration.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s Pharmacy, in partnership with MarkeTouch Media, has released a redesigned and updated version of its mobile app. The app offers users a more streamlined experience and is aimed at improving patient adherence and the Fred’s shopping experience, the company said.

“Our new mobile app provides the kind of value-rich shopper-friendly program that our customers have come to expect from Fred’s,” Fred’s EVP and chief merchandising and marketing officer Mary Lou Gardner said

CAMP HILL, Pa. — The Rite Aid Foundation last week launched its KidCents Mobile Flu Clinic, which will visit KidCents charities in communities served by Rite Aid to provide free flu shots to children served by the charity. Immediate family members as well as the staff and volunteers of the charity will also be able to receive free flu shots.

Futurist/economist Jane Sarason-Kahn

BOSTON, Mass.— Rite Aid's Health Dialog on Monday announced it will host a complimentary webinar, “Five tactical steps for successful implementation of shared decision making,” on Sept. 20 at 1 p.m.

Peter Goldbach, the company’s chief medical officer and a national authority on SDM, will provide strategic advice to help organizations execute effective shared decision making programs that reduce costs, improve outcomes and increase patient satisfaction.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — There's been a changing of the guard at Dollar Tree as the man who grew the chain into a $22 billion retail powerhouse moves into a new role.

The discounter has appointed Gary Philbin, enterprise president, as CEO, effective immediately. He succeeds Bob Sasser, who will become executive chairman of Dollar Tree's board.