TARGET

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO — Drug Store News has learned that Mary Kelly has been appointed EVP and chief merchandising officer at Rexall Pharma Plus. Kelly, who has more than 26 years experience leading business teams in Canada and the United States, joins the company after four years at Shoppers Drug Mart, most recently as EVP, merchandising and category management. Prior to that, Kelly served 17 years at Target in a  variety of key leadership positions in merchandising and pharmacy, and at Revco Drug Stores and Eli Lilly before that.  

CHICAGO — All too often retailers fall short when it comes to meeting the healthcare needs of their consumers, who not only demand more from their overall shopping experience, but also are increasingly looking for ways to curb rising healthcare costs and live healthier lives. Today’s successful retailers are working to strike a balance of value and quality, and are developing innovative solutions to strengthen their foothold along the frontlines of U.S. healthcare. In short, the winners are delivering a valuable healthcare experience.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Customer satisfaction with retail pharmacies has increased faster than mail-order pharmacies despite the perceived cost competitiveness of the latter, according to a new study.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — As part of the Black Chill product launch, Unilever’s Axe is whisking away nine winners — and their friends — to the ultimate winter adventure, the Axe Black Chill Challenge.

In March of 2014, selected winners will head to Sweden to take part in a series of extreme winter-themed sport activities, such as husky sleigh safaris, snowmobile expeditions through the Alpine Tundra and combat-copter flights overlooking Sweden's Archipelago, to see if they have what it takes to keep their cool in the most intense of situations.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has launched a streaming digital video service nationwide, the retailer said Wednesday.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has lowered its earnings expectations for first quarter 2013, the mass merchandise retailer said Tuesday.

The Minneapolis-based chain said it expected same-store sales growth in the quarter to be about flat over first quarter 2012 due to sales trends that have been weaker than expected, particularly in seasonal and weather-sensitive merchandise categories. As a result, earnings-per-share guidance is expected to be less than $1.10; the company's original guidance had stated earnings would be $1.10-$1.20 per share.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has accepted for purchase $760.7 million worth of debt as part of a $1.1 billion debt-refinancing plan announced last month, the mass merchandiser said.

The company announced plans in mid-March to purchase up to more than $1.1 billion worth of debt securities and will pay close to the full amount for those accepted for purchase.

The offer to purchase the debt from the people holding it expired Wednesday night at 11:59, the company said.

NEW YORK — A national campaign launched by heath and environmental groups is targeting 10 major retailers to encourage them to remove from their shelves products that contain potentially hazardous materials.