Top Retailers

NEW YORK — Rite Aid has stopped selling some cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine at its stores in West Virginia, according to published reports.

The Charleston, W.Va., Gazette reported that the chain would stop selling medicines that have pseudoephedrine as their only active ingredient, such as Sudafed 12 Hour and Sudafed 24 Hour, though they would continue selling products that combine pseudoephedrine with other ingredients like antihistamines and painkillers.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Mass merchandiser Kmart is planning to roll out lease-to-own financing at stores around the country this holiday season, the Sears Holdings-owned chain said Wednesday.

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — Industry veteran Albert Sebok, who held a distinguished career as a pharmacist and healthcare advocate, passed away on Nov. 3.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Half of people with diabetes feel overwhelmed in managing their disease and diet, according to a new survey conducted by Meijer.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — To celebrate the service and commitment of the nation’s military, Walgreens on Monday announced it is offering a Veterans Day discount to all veterans and active duty military personnel. 

On Monday, Nov. 11, customers with a valid military ID or proof of service will receive 15% off eligible store items and 20% off Walgreens, Nice! and W brand products at any Walgreens or Duane Reade drug store nationwide.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark posted “solid” results during its third quarter, and its MinuteClinic business was no exception.

During the quarter ended Sept. 30, the retail clinic business enjoyed revenue growth of 18%.

From a comp perspective, MinuteClinic has, most recently, been comping in the teens to low 20s, Dave Denton, EVP, CFO, controller and chief accounting officer, told analysts during the company’s third-quarter conference call Tuesday morning.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday posted October sales of $6.4 billion, an increase of 6.1%. Sales in comparable stores increased by 5.8% in October. 

Prescriptions filled at comparable stores increased by 5.7% in October and increased 6.2% on a calendar day-shift adjusted basis. This year’s October had one additional Thursday and one fewer Monday compared with October 2012. These calendar shifts negatively impacted prescriptions filled at comparable stores by 50 basis points.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark, which posted solid third-quarter results across its enterprise, is well-positioned to benefit from the rapidly changing healthcare environment. That was a key message that CVS Caremark president and CEO Larry Merlo had for analysts Tuesday morning during the company’s third-quarter conference call.