Top Retailers

Consumers encouraged to buy, apply more sunscreen
After years of ignoring warnings that sun exposure poses a health risk and hastens aging, consumers are starting to see the light. In fact, overall category sales rose 6.7% for the 52-week period ended May 14 across multi-outlets, according to IRI. Lotions and oils advanced almost 7%, and sunscreens and bug repellants jumped 3.5%.

But retailers and marketers said much more needs to be done. A recent Marist Institute for Public Opinion Poll said only 1-in-10 people apply sunscreen regularly.
POC testing, vision and hearing centers are future of retail clinics
There is a potential white space opportunity for retail clinics in advancing point-of-care diagnostic offerings on site. In 2015, combined sales of POC tests, clinical chemistry and immunoassay laboratory tests and vaccines to retail clinics reached $240 million, with vaccines accounting for a greater share than POC tests or laboratory tests. This reflects total annual growth of more than 26% per year since 2010, when retail clinics accounted for about $75 million in purchases of these products.

Report: Trump budget’s SNAP cuts could cost retailers $70.7B

WASHINGTON — Proposed cuts in food stamp benefits could cost the the retail industry billions — with supermarkets and discounters taking the biggest hit.

AlixPartners estimates that retail collectively stands to lose $70.7 billion during the next 10 years if the proposed cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (commonly referred to as food stamps) turn into reality, CNBC reported. The budget proposed by the Trump administration calls for $191 billion in cuts to the program between 2018 to 2028.
SLIDESHOW: Highlights from the CVS Health, DSN and Mack Elevation Health Innovation Summit

CVS Health, in partnership with Drug Store News and Mack Elevation, last month hosted the Health Innovation Summit in Providence, R.I. Bringing together leaders from such major healthcare, technology and consumer brands as Facebook, Under Armour, Google, IBM and many others, the one-day thought leadership conference examined emerging trends helping to reshape the healthcare industry.
5 things to know about the new Walgreens-Rite Aid deal

The industry awoke Thursday morning to arguably the biggest story of the year — the news that Walgreens and Rite Aid had agreed to scrap their original merger agreement one more time, this time in favor of a much smaller, seemingly more manageable deal to purchase 2,186 Rite Aid stores for $5.18 billion in cash.

In the first several hours following the announcement of the deal, DSN identified five important takeaways from the blockbuster agreement.
Walgreens Boots Alliance generates $30.1 billion in Q3 sales, up 2.1%

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance on Thursday generated fiscal 2017 third quarter net earnings of $1.2 billion, up 5.3%, for the period ended May 31. Sales in the third quarter were $30.1 billion, an increase of 2.1% from the year-ago quarter, and an increase of 5% on a constant currency basis.
Analyst take: New Walgreens-Rite Aid deal a ‘good compromise’ if regulators approve it

The news that Walgreens is to scrap its $9.4 billion merger with Rite Aid is unsurprising. The glacial pace of the Federal Trade Commission investigation and increasing signals that the federal government would disallow the merger have forced a rethink.

In some ways, the process so far has been a colossal waste of resources and effort. Walgreens has to pay out a $325 million termination fee to Rite Aid, and all parties — including Fred's, which was due to acquire some Rite Aid stores — have invested time and money with very little to show for it.
Walgreens, Rite Aid scrap merger, outline new deal

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance Thursday morning announced a new Rite Aid deal, effectively scuttling its proposal to acquire the Camp Hill, Pa.-based chain and surrendering the $325 million termination fee with respect to the old merger agreement. The divestiture agreement with Fred's Pharmacy is terminated.
DSNTV: Walgreens’ Alex Gourlay shares his goals as NACDS chairman
Rite Aid Q1 revenues decline 4.9% to $7.8 billion

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid on Thursday reported revenues of $7.8 billion, a decrease of 4.9%. Net loss totaled $75.3 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, and adjusted net loss was $52.4 million, or $0.05 per diluted share.