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WASHINGTON — Several retail pharmacy chains and associations are pledging their support of the Blue Button Initiative — a public-private partnership between the healthcare industry and the federal government that aims to empower all Americans with access to their own electronic health information, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy have

CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold USA on Friday announced that Rick Herring, president of the Giant Carlisle Division, has made the decision to retire, effective Feb. 14.

Herring has had a successful career at Ahold companies for nearly 25 years and has made many contributions to the Ahold organization.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation calculated that retail employment was down 21,600 jobs in January 2014, yet up 230,000 jobs year-over-year. December retail employment figures were revised up to a gain of 57,000 jobs.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation report showed that January total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 113,000, with the unemployment rate at 6.6% and the labor force participation rate at 63%.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco on Thursday reported net sales of $8 billion for the four weeks ended Feb. 2, representing an increase of 6% percent from the similar four-week period last year. 

Comparable store sales across Costco's U.S. store base were up 5%.

For the 22 weeks ended Feb. 2, Costco reported net sales of $46.3 billion, representing a similar increase of 6% vs. the year-ago period. 

DEERFIELD, Ill. — In response to CVS Caremark's announcement to pull tobacco products out of its stores, Walgreens stated that the category has been under review at its stores, too.

Walgreens has been evaluating its tobacco line for “some time,” and said it “will continue to evaluate the choice of products our customers want, while also helping to educate them and providing smoking cessation products and alternatives that help reduce the demand for tobacco products,” noted Michael Polzin, Walgreens spokesperson.

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Tyson Foods is adding a new line of breakfast items to its product offerings. Tyson Day Starts, a line of frozen breakfast sandwiches, aims to offer consumers protein-rich meals made with high-quality ingredients, the company said. Day Starts varieties will include biscuit sandwiches, breakfast flatbreads and wrapped omelets.

SAN FRANCISCO — McKesson on Thursday confirmed that it has completed the previously announced agreement with Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH to acquire their entire holding of Celesio shares. McKesson also confirmed it has completed the previously announced agreement with an affiliate of Elliott Management to acquire Celesio convertible bonds.  

McKesson now exceeds 75% ownership of Celesio shares on a fully diluted basis.

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. — The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, along with a coalition of healthcare industry stakeholders, on Wednesday issued a consensus statement regarding the collaborative steps that will be taken to help ensure the delivery of responsible and effective patient care as it relates to the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances.