RETAIL NEWS

BOISE, Idaho — OutcomesMTM, a Cardinal Health company and a national administrator of medication therapy management, has named Albertsons the Top Large Pharmacy Chain for the first quarter of 2017. This marks the fourth quarter in a row Albertsons has earned the top spot in the large pharmacy chain category, and OutcomesMTM named Albertsons the 2016 Top Large Pharmacy Chain last year.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. —  Costco declared a special cash dividend on Costco common stock of $7 per share, payable May 26, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 10. The aggregate payment will be approximately $3.1 billion.

MINNEAPOLIS — The completed sale of Save-A-Lot and the announced acquisition of Unified Grocers should improve Supervalu’s balance sheet and lead to greater growth in the future, President and CEO Mark Gross said Tuesday during the company’s 2017 fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — This week, hundreds of community pharmacists will convene in Washington, D.C. to advocate for their patients and their businesses during the National Community Pharmacists Association's 2017 Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In.

On April 26 and 27, community pharmacists will meet with members of Congress to generate support for legislative priorities that improve patient access to prescription drug services. Those efforts will be supported by a week-long advertising campaign in leading Washington, D.C. news outlets.

HOFFMAN STATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings will close 92 “underperforming” Kmart pharmacies, as part of its corporate restructuring program, the company announced.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart’s technology incubator, Store No. 8, hired Jennifer Fleiss as its CEO, according to several media reports.

Fleiss is a co-founder of Rent the Runway, stepped down from the online clothing-rental service earlier this year. At Walmart, she will lead Code Eight, which will develop “highly personalized, one-to-one shopping experiences,” according to a statement.

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons Cos. on Monday today appointed Jewel-Osco Division President Mike Withers as its EVP, retail operations. Withers will lead the company's East Region operations, while current EVP, Retail Operations Susan Morris will lead the West Region. Jim Perkins, EVP, retail operations Special Projects, is focused on targeted initiatives to accelerate growth. All three executives will continue to report to Wayne Denningham, president and COO.