Top Retailers

Collaborative negotiating yields results
Retailers and their suppliers are squandering opportunities to grow their businesses together strategically, a former Target executive told attendees at the third annual New General Market Summit, hosted by Drug Store News and Mack Elevation. “The discussion between retail and CPGs has been reduced to one issue only: How much money are you going to give me? How much cost reduction can we get?” said Daniel Duty, founder and CEO of Minneapolis-based Conlego Consulting.
Fairer than fair trade
Today’s consumers want CPG companies to do things that impact the world, and to be part of brands that make the world better. Ignoring this new emphasis and continuing to focus on product itself will only lead to a loss of market share.

Report: FTC preparing to block WBA's acquisition of Rite Aid

The Federal Trade Commission is preparing "advice" to block the deal to merge Walgreens Boots Alliance and Rite Aid, according to a Investor's Business Daily report. The news was first reported by Bloomberg. "Shares of Rite Aid sank 14% to 3.03 in afternoon trading on the stock market [and] Walgreens dipped 0.3%. Rival CVS Health (CVS) edged up 0.5%," Investor's Business Daily reported. In addition, shares of Fred's Pharmacy, which has agreed to acquire as many as 1,200 divested Rite Aid locations as part of the deal, dropped 2.5% Friday.
Walmart, American Diabetes Association plan 4 Walmart Wellness Day screening events

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart will be bringing America’s largest health fair back to communities it serves this year, with the first of four Walmart Wellness Day events planned for June 17. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time, the retailer will offer free health screenings at its more than 4,600 locations. And through its partnership with the American Diabetes Association, the retailer will be hosting four such events this year.
Schmidt’s Naturals launches in Kroger stores, expands Whole Foods distribution

PORTLAND, Ore. — Natural deodorant maker Schmidt’s Naturals is growing its distribution. The company on Thursday announced that its products would be hitting shelves in Kroger banner stores and that it would be expanding into all U.S. Whole Foods Market locations.
Downtown Cincinnati's first grocer in almost 40 years is ...

CINCINNATI — Kroger is opening an urban two-level store in a revitalized downtown Cincinnati, developer GBBN announced earlier this month, which marks the the return of a central downtown grocery store to the area for the first time since 1969.

“This is a sign that the renaissance in downtown and Over-the-Rhine is here to stay and accelerate,” stated Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley.
CVS rolls out time-lock safes for controlled substances in Ohio

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Pharmacy has rolled out a new strategy to prevent misuse and abuse of opioids and deter theft. The retailer said that it has begun using time-delay safes for controlled substances in 170 of its locations in Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton, as well as central and northern Ohio and northern Kentucky.
Albertsons first to bill Oregon Medicaid for birth control consult

BOISE, Idaho — As part of a collaborative effort to improve access to hormonal contraception for Oregon women, Albertsons announced Wednesday that select pharmacies can now bill Oregon Medicaid plans for a consultation service fee and is the first in the nation to successfully complete the process for a patient.
Merger decision expected soon, Rite Aid tells associates

CAMP HILL, Pa. — In a letter to associates earlier this week, Rite Aid chairman and CEO John Standley, along with Ken Martindale, CEO Rite Aid Stores and president Rite Aid, informed Rite Aid's rank and file that a decision regarding Walgreens Boots Alliance proposed acquisition of Rite Aid is expected soon.
Report shows Amazon is fertile ground for health, personal care and consumables sales

SANDY, Utah — Despite a decline in the overall health and personal care, or HPC, baby and grocery categories industry-wide, Amazon is grabbing double-digit wallet share.