RETAIL NEWS

Walmart will be making big changes to a lot of stores this year, according to a report from MLive.com. Among the roughly 400-640 stores that will get a remodel this year are 12 Michigan locations, the report said.

MLive notes that among the changes coming to stores undergoing a remodel will be a lounge-like area for in-store pickup, the locations of which will move to the front of the store, more fresh and organic offerings, wider aisles and changed sightlines. Three markets in Michigan also will see the piloting of online grocery ordering for in-store pickup, the report said.

DALLAS — One of H-E-B’s Central Market locations in Dallas is dabbling in on-site produce growing, according to multiple reports. The store has worked with Growtainer to build a 53-foot, custom and climate-controlled space in which to grow herbs, greens and spices.

According to a report from AndNowUKnow, the production space has an irrigation system and modules build for growing multiple layers of produce at a time.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Huggies earlier this month partnered on a donation of one million diapers to the National Diaper Bank Network, to be distributed to diaper banks within the National Diaper Bank Network including Cradles to Crayons of Chicago to help babies in need.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Pharmacy Quality Alliance on Thursday announced eight Medicare plans received PQA Quality Awards for high achievement or significant improvement in PQA measures of medication safety and appropriate use. Six plans received the PQA Excellence in Quality Award and two plans received PQA's Quality Improvement Award during PQA's 12th Annual Meeting in Baltimore.

SAN FRANCISCO – Heading into fiscal 2018, McKesson has some tailwinds that are driving optimism for the wholesaler, including a recaptured generics share in the independent retail pharmacy space and a burgeoning partnership with Walmart.

TORONTO — The Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada on Thursday honored John Tse, a London Drug executive who has been involved in Canada's retail pharmacy industry for more than 25 years, as the 2017 recipient of the Len Marks Pharmacy Advancement Award.

The award will be presented at the Chairman's Dinner during the Pharmacy, Health and Beauty EXPO 2017.

ST. LOUIS — Express Scripts, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Innovative Product Alignment, on Thursday announced it will participate in the Walgreens Boots Alliance Development group purchasing organization.