Top Retailers

ExtraCare holds the key to personalization efforts
The ExtraCare loyalty program has grown to become CVS Health’s crown jewel. In 2015, the program — now in its 15th year — helped drive nearly $4 billion in savings for its roughly 70 million active cardholders. More important, it has emerged as the key engine driving CVS Health’s personalization efforts — a critical component of the company’s five-pillar strategy to reenergize its front-end business.
Trends in men’s facial hair impact sales
The shave category is trying to get its groove back. With the exception of razors, where sales are up a healthy 10.6% for the 52-week period ended Sept. 4, 2016, as tracked by IRI across multi-outlets, all of the other categories in shave are down.

(To view the full Shave Report, click here.)

Walgreens introduces Ship to Store program

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The latest offering from Walgreens will allow its customers to pick up eligible online and mobile app orders in-store at more than 7,600 locations, the company announced Monday. With the new Ship to Store program, customers who order items to a local Walgreens or Duane Reade store for pick up will receive free shipping with no minimum order requirement.
Industry mourns loss of two icons

The drug store industry said goodbye to two icons of the business in September. Charles R. “Cork” Walgreen III, 80, former president, CEO, chairman of the board and chairman emeritus of the company that bears his family’s name, and David Bloom, 76, the former, long-time CEO of Shoppers Drug Mart passed away last month — exactly one day apart on Sept. 26 and Sept. 25, respectively.
Elevating beauty: Unlocking the health connection

Anyone without a clear vision of the link between wellness and beauty hasn’t heard CVS Health’s VP/merchandise manager for beauty and personal care Alex Perez-Tenessa describe the synergy.

(To download Special Report: Double Down on Health, click here.)

The health-beauty connection is a driving force for the company as it continues rolling out its new “Elevate Beauty” concept, which is now in about 2,000 of its stores.
CVS puts its brand on innovation

This isn’t your parents’ private-label business any more. To be sure, the rules of the store brand game have changed over the years — price matters, but it certainly isn’t the only factor driving the growing consumer interest in private label that exists today.

(To download Special Report: Double Down on Health, click here.)
Naloxone access, community efforts work to curb opioid abuse

Drug overdoses have become the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, with 47,055 people dying in 2014 as a result of lethal drug overdoses — 18,893 of which were related to prescription pain relievers. The epidemic has drawn the attention of everyone from President Barack Obama to local first responders, all of whom have pointed to the drug naloxone as one of the critical first lines of defense in saving the lives of thousands from accidental overdose. Naloxone can reverse the effects of an overdose, but until recently it could only be accessed by prescription.
All-natural, organic gain momentum

The drug channel has seen the all-natural and organic beauty categories grow aggressively in recent years. The roster of brands offering natural and organic skin and hair care products has expanded, and consumers have more knowledge and choices when it comes to natural beauty than ever before.

(To view the full Category Review, click here.)
Supervalu to sell Save-A-Lot for $1.36 billion

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Monday announced that it would be selling its Save-A-Lot business to an affiliate of Toronto-based private equity firm Onex Corp. for $1.365 billion in cash. Supervalu and Save-A-Lot will enter into a five-year professional services agreement to go along with the sale, which is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2017.
CHPA Educational Foundation Gala 2016 coming to NYC’s Rainbow Room

NEW YORK — CHPA and the CHPA Educational Foundation will be holding the CHPA Educational Foundation Gala 2016 in New York City on November 14. The boards of both organizations will be in attendance at the gala, which will be held at the Rainbow Room, located atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza.