Top Retailers

EPA highlights Target's carbon-reduction efforts in PSA program
NEW YORK — The Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Target for its efforts to reduce its carbon emissions, the agency said.

According to the EPA, Target's technology center engineering team singlehandedly reduced the company's carbon emissions by 18,000 tons since 2006 and is committed to having 75% of Target buildings certified by the agency's Energy Star program by 2016.
Walgreens same-store sales up 3.2% for November with $6.1 billion in sales
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday reported November sales of $6.1 billion, an increase of 4.1% for the same month in fiscal 2013.

Total front-end sales increased 3.2%, while comparable store front-end sales increased 1.9%. Customer traffic in comparable stores increased 0.8% and basket size increased 1.1%.

The company said that a meaningful increase versus prior quarters in promotional investment contributed to the improvement in traffic and comparable store front-end sales for November and throughout the quarter.

Walgreens recognized for Hurricane Sandy efforts by Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday announced that Walgreens, Monsignor John Brown and the New York Mets have each been awarded the 2013 Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience, recognizing their contributions to their communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
15th annual NACDS Foundation Dinner raises more than $1.8M

NEW YORK — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation celebrated its 15th Annual Foundation Dinner the evening of Dec. 3 in New York City, raising more than $1.8 million to support the Foundation’s research, education and medication adherence initiatives.

Walgreens and Duane Reade were the premier sponsors of the event.
Eddie Lampert sells 7% of stake in Sears Holdings

NEW YORK — Sears Holdings chairman and CEO Eddie Lampert has pared down his stake in the retailing company, according to a regulatory filing Tuesday.

A Securities and Exchange Commission filing showed that Lampert reduced his stake in Sears Holdings to 48.4%, from a 55.4% stake reported in March. That leaves him with about 51.6 million shares in the company, whose stock was valued at $50.38 per share Wednesday morning on the NASDAQ, down from its opening price of $52.62.
MinuteClinic enters New Hampshire, forms new clinical collaboration

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic has expanded to its 28th state with the opening of clinic locations inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in New Hampshire, and the clinic operator also has formed a new clinical collaboration with Dartmouth-Hitchcock, the largest healthcare system in New Hampshire.

Clinics are now open in Concord and West Lebanon. A Salem clinic will open Dec. 11, and locations in Hampton, Manchester and Nashua will open in early January, the company stated.
Rite Aid offers flu shots for $24.99

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering a $5 discount on flu shots as a way to encourage more people to protect themselves, the retail pharmacy chain said.

Rite Aid said that in recognition of National Influenza Vaccination Week, which runs between Dec. 8 and Dec. 14, it would offer flu shots at its stores for $24.99. NIVW started in 2005 as a national campaign by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends annual flu shots for everyone aged 6 months and older.
All-star lineup of industry leaders gather for annual Industry Issues Summit

NEW YORK — The 15th annual Industry Issues Summit, presented by The Drug Store News Group on Dec. 3, proved to be a powerful, all-star lineup as some of the top minds in pharmacy retailing gathered for a candid discussion of the top issues and trends impacting the industry. On top of that, brand-building genius and TV celebrity Daymond John of ABC’s “Shark Tank” delivered an exclusive lunchtime keynote.
Ahold USA CFO steps down

CARLISLE, Pa. – Paula Price is stepping down as Ahold USA's EVP and CFO, the supermarket operator said Tuesday.
CVS Caremark Charitable Trust disperses 25 $1,000 grants as a part of CVS Caremark's #GivingTuesday initiative

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, a private foundation created by CVS Caremark, on Tuesday announced the 25 organizations that will receive $1,000 in grants as a part of CVS Caremark's #GivingTuesday initiative, which invited CVS Caremark colleagues to nominate an organization in their community to receive a grant from the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust.