RETAIL NEWS

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale reported net sales of $11.64 billion for the month of March — the five weeks ended April 2, 2017 — an increase of 9% from $10.71 billion during the similar period last year. This year’s total reflects one additional sales day due to the timing of Easter, which positively impacted net and comparable sales by an estimated 1% to 1.5%.

SANDY, Utah — Amazon is gaining a significantly larger share-of-wallet for everyday household items — and the retailer continues to build momentum.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s Pharmacy has set forth a major initiative intended to promote growth in 2017 in its front store, retail pharmacy and specialty operations, CEO Michael K. Bloom stated Thursday during the company’s 2016 fiscal fourth-quarter earnings conference call.

In the front store, Fred’s is expecting top-line growth, led by the rollout of beer and wine and a major upgrade to its cosmetics assortment.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is still confident in its ability to close the Rite Aid transaction, but will force the issue if it comes to that, Stefano Pessina, executive vice chairman and CEO Walgreens Boots Alliance, told analysts Wednesday morning.
 

KEASBEY, N.J. — ShopRite on Wednesday announced it has expanded the “free fruit” program it launched earlier this year in select stores, to now include five additional stores located in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that are owned and operated by ShopRite of Hunterdon County (New Jersey).

Under the program, kids 12 and younger receive a free banana, clementine or other seasonal fruit while shopping with a parent or guardian. The fruits are located in the produce aisle, and the program is overseen by the supermarket’s team of in-store dietitians.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance will be introducing its latest own brand, called Botanics, within the next six months, the company announced Wednesday at its quarterly earnings call. 

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health on Wednesday was recognized by Billion Dollar Roundtable, a corporate advocacy organization that promotes supply-chain diversity excellence, for reaching its goal of spending over $1 billion with diverse suppliers.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Despite gains in prescription marketshare and comparable pharmacy sales across its U.S. base, Walgreens Boots Alliance missed analyst expectations, MarketWatch reported early Wednesday morning, precipitating a slight drop in Walgreens Boots Alliance shares in premarket trading.