Sam's Club

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A national gay-rights organization has given Walgreens top marks for its practices related to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

In its 2014 Corporate Equality Index, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation gave the Deerfield, Ill.-based retail pharmacy chain a "perfect" score of 100. 2014 is the ninth year that Walgreens has won a perfect score.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club is offering some extra holiday cheer for shoppers who are looking to buy last-minute gifts and, perhaps, save some money in the process. The company is inviting the public to a three-day Holiday Open House from Friday, Dec. 20 to Sunday, Dec. 22.

The event allows shoppers to take advantage of lowered prices on the season's hot items, like smartphones and notebooks, without paying non-member upcharges.

NEW YORK — Club retailers like Costco and Sam's Club may have some competition from Amazon.com, according to published reports.

USA Today reported Thursday that the Seattle-based online retailer was creating a new business called Pantry that would allow members of its Amazon Prime premium service to buy consumer packaged goods in large quantities in a box of a pre-set size. Members will be able to put in as many items as the box can fit, up to a certain weight limit, and Amazon will ship the box for a small fee, as long as everything fits and isn't too heavy.

NEW YORK — A bill that would implement federal tracking and tracing of drugs and strengthen federal regulations on pharmacy compounding has passed in the Senate and will go to President Barack Obama for his signature.

Walmart managed to achieve its third-quarter profit target despite reporting weaker than expected U.S. sales, which prompted the company to issue a tepid outlook for fourth-quarter sales at Walmart U.S. stores and Sam’s Club units.

LAS VEGAS — Opportunity Village announced the arrival of PopShoppe Gourmet Chocolate Covered Popcorn in regional Sam's Club locations from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30.

The item was previously available at select locations in the Las Vegas area, but positive reception for the product resulted in a wider distribution. The popcorn will available in 30 clubs, including seven locations within the Las Vegas area as well as locations in Idaho, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.

LOS ANGELES — Albertsons has placed an order for what is being called the "first true food bar" for dogs.

All American Pet Co. said Friday it received an order from the grocer for NutraBars, which are designed to be high in protein and low in fat, and are made in the United States.

The company said it also was expecting an order for Chewies Dog Treats, which are all-natural and made with peanuts, cheese and bacon. Albertsons, based in Boise, Idaho, operates 1,119 stores under 12 banners in 29 states.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club is offering free shopping passes to members of the U.S. military in response to the government shutdown, which has also resulted in the shutdown of commissaries on military bases.

The club retailer said military personnel could obtain a pass for Sam's Club locations near military bases by presenting a military identification or proof of past or present military service at Sam's Club Member Services counters.