Top Retailers

Kroger promotes EVP merchandising to EVP and COO
CINCINNATI — Kroger Monday afternoon named its executive leadership team to support the company's Restock Kroger Plan.

"Kroger is fortunate to have a leadership team that combines deep experience with creative new talent as we strategically reposition the company through our Restock Kroger Plan," stated Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO.
Walgreens to keep Narcan in stock chainwide
DEERFIELD, Ill. — As part of its comprehensive national plan to combat drug abuse, Walgreens is now stocking Narcan, an FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone, in all of its more than 8,000 pharmacies nationwide.

“By stocking Narcan in all our pharmacies, we are making it easier for families and caregivers to help their loved ones by having it on hand in case it is needed,” stated Rick Gates, Walgreens group VP pharmacy. “As a pharmacy we are committed to making Narcan more accessible in the communities we serve.”

Albertsons rolls out Apple Pay to all its banners

BOISE, Idaho — All of Albertsons’ banner stores are now equipped to let customers pay for their purchases with Apple Pay. The mobile payment solution has been available at Albertsons’ Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Star Market, Haggen and United banners, and rolled out Monday to Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Tom Thumb, Randalls and Carrs locations.
NPI brings Amazon and Walmart veteran back into the fold

BOCA RATON, Fla. — After a two-year sabbatical, Jeff Fernandez is returning to Nutritional Products International as VP sales and marketing.

Fernandez took a couple of years off to spend more time with his growing family, but his passion for distribution and sales has led him back to Nutritional Products International, where he last served in the same position in 2015.
Vitamin Shoppe adds RangeMe to its merchandising efforts

SEACAUCUS, N.J. — ECRM’s RangeMe online CPG platform has a new client. The Vitamin Shoppe has added the platform to its merchandise innovation and sourcing process, allowing its category managers to discover new products and brands that meet customers’ needs while fostering vendor relationships.
Publix opens 3 pharmacies as part of 3-phase BayCare Health System partnership

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix is laying the foundations of a three-part partnership with BayCare Health System with the opening of three pharmacies, each of which is located inside a BayCare hospital. Publix is set to open pharmacies at two more hospitals, which will mark 10 Publix pharmacies in BayCare facilities. Each pharmacy will offer prescriptions when patients are discharged, as well as access to specialty medications and refills at any Public pharmacy location.
Supermarket Wellness Watch: Tops Markets tackles the other side of health

At Tops Friendly Markets, wellness has more than one side.

The multi-state food retailer puts an emphasis on health strategies for customers, with a range of efforts from pharmacy to food.

But Tops, based in Williamsville, New York, also prioritizes something else: wellness for its more than 15,000 employees. They are spread across approximately 180 retail locations in New York, northern Pennsylvania, western Vermont, and north central Massachusetts.
Kroger names two new division presidents

CINCINNATI — Kroger earlier this week named Pam Matthews president of the company's central division and Suzy Monford as president of the QFC division.

Monford replaces Matthews, formerly president of Kroger's QFC division, succeeds Katie Wolfram, who is retiring. Monford is assuming the role vacated by Matthew.
Crossmark inks preferred service provider agreement with Walmart

PLANO, Texas — As Walmart looks to centralize its merchandising activity planning process and establish standard operating procedures for in-store service providers, it has named sales and marketing company Crossmark as one of its preferred service providers. With the selection, Crossmark is one of five companies that can execute merchandising activity on behalf of suppliers in nearly 5,000 U.S. Walmart locations.
Building loyalty in today’s digital market

NEW YORK — The Emerson Group last month hosted its 10th Annual Retail Industry Day in a packed room, with hundreds of merchants eager to discover how to better position their products for tomorrow’s ever-evolving consumer.

They weren’t disappointed.