Top Retailers

Meijer to host BTS flu-shot campaign
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer pharmacies across the Midwest are holding Back to School Immunization Events this weekend to help families guard against the flu before classes start.
CVS Health sets sights on recruiting older workers
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — In an effort to differentiate itself, CVS Health is looking to tap into the 24.8% of the workplace the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects will be aged 55 years and older by 2024. The company — which currently has a workforce that is 24% older than 50 years of age — has announced that it’s actively recruiting older employees.

Ahold Delhaize posts more than $11 billion across two U.S. divisions

ZAANDAM, the Netherlands — Ahold USA on Monday generated $7 billion in second quarter sales. While comparable to the year-ago period though, those sales were reached with 24 fewer stores. Comparable sales growth for the quarter was up 0.3%.

The company reported a positive impact on the timing of Easter that was offset by Fourth of July holiday sales and last year's competitive closures in the New York market. At the end of the quarter, Ahold USA announced new price investments in own brands, produce, milk and eggs.
Gallup: Shoppers slow to adopt online grocery shopping

WASHINGTON — Shopping for groceries online has a long way to go before it catches on with the vast majority of U.S. consumers, according to new data from Gallup.

Nine percent of U.S. adults report that their household shop online for groceries at least once a month, including 4% who do it at least weekly, according to Gallup's annual Consumption Habits survey. By contrast, almost all Americans say someone in their family shops for groceries in person at least once a month, with 83% going at least once a week.
Walmart brings Scan and Go offering to more locations

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is helping more shoppers skip the checkout line.

The company is expanding the deployment of its Scan & Go mobile app, which was being tested in approximately 12 stores across Northwest Arkansas, Florida, Texas and Georgia. The chain now is rolling out the app for use in at least 10 additional locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Nashville markets. The stores will offer the solution by the end of the month, said Walmart spokesman Justin Rushing in an interview with Chain Store Age.
MinuteClinic opens 5 new NYC locations

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health’s MinuteClinic has opened five new locations three of New York City’s five boroughs. Two of the new clinics are in Brooklyn, two are in Manhattan and one is located in Queens. All are located inside of CVS Pharmacy locations.
Pharmacy efficiency among 5 ways Walmart uses big data

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is bullish on big data — especially when it comes to finding ways to better serve its shoppers.

Big data volume continues to grow, but Walmart is using it to the company’s — and its customers’ — advantage. By analyzing the robust information flowing throughout its operations, the discounter has gained a real-time view of workflow across its pharmacy, distribution centers, stores and e-commerce, according to a company blog.
Amazon patents mobile drone launchpad

SEATTLE — Amazon has lots of ideas about how drones can improve package deliveries, but they also need supportive facilities and operations.

In hopes of getting the ball rolling, the online giant has filed a patent application for “ground-based mobile maintenance facilities for unmanned aerial vehicles.” Simply put, these hubs would be dedicated to accommodating, loading, launching, receiving and maintaining the delivery drones.
Meijer, Spectrum Health intro co-branded OTC products

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer and Spectrum Health today announced they have collaborated to launch a line of co-branded over-the-counter products.

“As the nation’s ninth largest grocery retailer, Meijer has an undeniable presence throughout the Midwest,” Spectrum Health SVP and chief strategy officer Roger Jansen said. “We are excited to work with Meijer. This collaboration enables Spectrum Health to meet consumers where they are on their health-and-wellness journey.”
Back-to-school season has been profitable for Amazon

SEATTLE — Based on the momentum of early back to school shoppers, Amazon is on pace to hit a record 80% sales growth for the season.

The online giant's school supplies sales have grown by 35% year-over-year in the first two weeks of the back-to-school shopping season, according to One Click Retail. Early back-to-school shopping only accounted for 9% of sales in 2016.

Last year, Amazon’s back-to-school sales hit a record 20% growth over the entire season. This year, the online giant has a total growth potential of over 80% for back-to-school 2017.