Top Retailers

Trump seeking critically important appointee for retailers
In the Trump administration, retailers can expect a new head of the FDA, one of the 4,000 or so political appointees.

According to Forbes, the current FDA commissioner, Dr. Robert Califf, assumed the position only in February, so he has not really had time to make his mark.

His predecessor, Dr. Margaret Hamburg, was there for seven years, however, and provides an exemplar of the kind of commissioner a Trump administration should avoid.
Rite Aid divestiture a “transformative” event for Fred’s
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s Pharmacy is about to transition from a regional Southeastern retailer to national pharmacy powerhouse, starting with the bottom line.

In a statement, Fred's stated it expects the acquired stores gained from the Walgreens-Rite Aid announced store divestiture “would be accretive to earnings and generate substantial cash flow.” Net sales at Fred’s totaled $2.15 billion for the year ended January 30, 2016. Net loss came in at $7.37 million during this period.

Walgreens Boots Alliance and Rite Aid agree to sell 865 Rite Aid stores to Fred’s Pharmacy

DEERFIELD, Ill. & CAMP HILL, Pa. — Walgreens Boots Alliance and Rite Aid have entered into an agreement to sell 865 Rite Aid stores and certain assets related to store operations to Fred’s for $950 million.

The transaction is subject to Federal Trade Commission approval, the approval and completion of the pending acquisition of Rite Aid by Walgreens Boots Alliance, and other customary closing conditions.
CVS Health Charity Classic passes $20M charity donation milestone

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — During a celebration Tuesday at company headquarters, CVS Health announced its Charity Classic golf event raised more than $1 million to New England area charities.

The CVS Health Charity Classic also reached a milestone this year by surpassing a total of $20 million of philanthropic support to hundreds of nonprofits.
CVS offers plethora of deals for last-minute shoppers

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Pharmacy wants to be the location of choice for last-minute holiday gift ideas, stocking stuffers and better-for-you snack options.

"Whether it's designer fragrance sets that save a trip to a busy department store or thoughtful personalized photo gifts, our seasonal selections help create a convenient and less stressful shopping experience for CVS Pharmacy customers," said Judy Sansone, Senior Vice President of Front Store Business, CVS Pharmacy and Chief Merchant of CVS Health.
Rite Aid rolls out more holiday deals

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is putting out all the stops to help customers finish their shopping this holiday season.

From now through Dec. 23, many Rite Aid locations will have extended shopping hours, convenient for picking up last minute holiday needs such as batteries, gifts, cards or baking supplies.

Rite Aid is also offering a wide variety of merchandise customers are looking for to successfully celebrate the holidays this year, including:
Walgreens debuts Beauty Beneath skincare supplement to U.S. shoppers

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Just in time for the holidays, Walgreens is bringing another beauty brand to American shoppers from across the pond. Beauty Beneath, a division of Boots and the U.K.’s No. 1 beauty brand is making its U.S. debut.

Celebrity esthetician, Shani Darden, will act as a brand ambassador for Beauty Beneath through PR and social media platforms.
Southeastern Grocers re-launches supermarkets to focus on Hispanics

Southeastern Grocers has re-launched five supermarkets in South Florida under a new banner, Fresco y Mas, in order to appeal to the region's large Hispanic community.

The first Fresco y Más store launched in June this year and due to popular demand another five Fresco y Más stores opened this month.
CVS to save $3B over five-year period with streamlining initiative

NEW YORK — CVS Health will embark on a three-step streamlining initiative with a goal of saving approximately $3 billion from 2017-2021. Two-thirds of the savings will be seen in CVS’s retail/long-term care segment, with the remaining one-third of savings seen in the pharmacy benefits manager category.
CVS Health to Wall Street: ‘We own the last mile of care’

NEW YORK — “We own the last mile of care.”

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway Larry Merlo, president and CEO of CVS Health, delivered to Wall Street Thursday morning, during the company's annual analyst day presentations in New York. This last mile of care comprises the company's specialty, mail, retail pharmacy, retail clinics, long-term care and infusion service capabilities, Merlo explained.