RETAIL NEWS

MINNEAPOLIS — Target’s 2017 fiscal first-quarter comparable-store sales suffered a 1.3% year-over-year decrease, driven by small declines in both traffic and basket size. First quarter sales for the period ended April 29 also dipped slightly from $16.2 billion to $16 billion.

Adjusted earnings per share also slipped by 6.3% versus the prior year to $1.21 per share, but this far surpassed company guidance, which had been between 80 cents and $1 per share.

Artificial eyelashes are an important accessory for many celebrities. Among those accenting their eyes with a little help from lashes is Naomi Watts. According to her makeup artist Mary Wiles, Watts has worn Ardell Double Flare Lashes.

Celebrities aren’t alone when it comes to donning fakes. Sales of artificial eyelashes packaged with adhesives rose 31% to $157 million, according to IRI data for multi-outlet retailers for the 52-week period ended March 19. Eyelash adhesives kicked in another $30 million and showed growth of 24%.

WASHINGTON — According to reports, regulators are still seeking information on the proposed merger between Walgreens Boots Alliance and Rite Aid, and the subsequent divestiture of as many as 1,200 stores to Fred's.

Analysts are suggesting the implication does not bode well for the merger, as the continued Civil Information Demands from the Federal Trade Commission may be indicative that the agency is still not appeased over the merger's potential effect on the retail pharmacy market.

VANCOUVER — In support of Hypertension Canada’s “What’s Your Number?” campaign in May, Pharmasave locations across Canada will provide patient education and opportunities for blood pressure screening in their communities. 

LANDOVER, Md. — Giant Food of Landover on Tuesday announced it donated $2 million to 2,322 public and private schools in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Delaware. The funds are part of the 2016-2017 A+ School Rewards program, where purchases made by Giant customers help provide funding to area schools.

For the second year in a row, 20 schools received more than $10,000 each as part of the program. Mater Dei School in Bethesda, Md., received the largest check, $29,301.39, as a result of this year’s program.  

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Even with the estimated removal of as many as 20 million Americans from healthcare insurance rolls as a result of the still-fluid American Healthcare Act, Kalorama Information is still bullish on the retail clinic sector the research company announced Monday.

CINCINNATI — Kroger’s SVP retail divisions is retiring. The company on Tuesday announced the retirement of 31-year Kroger veteran Sukanya Madlinger, effective June 19, and named current president of Kroger’s Louisville division Calvin Kaufman her successor. Additionally, the company appointed Ann Reed, currently VP Customer 1st Promise, Kaufman’s successor at the head of the Louisville division.