Top Retailers

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.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Monday announced that it has completed the sale of the net assets of Canada Safeway to Sobeys, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire Co.

Proceeds from the transaction of $3.8 billion in cash after taxes and expenses and between $400 and $450 million in U.S. tax benefits related to the exit of the Chicago market will be used to pay down $2 billion of debt, with the majority of the remainder to be used to buy back stock. In addition, some of the proceeds may be used to invest in growth opportunities, Safeway reported.

DENVER — MusclePharm on Monday announced the launch of FitMiss, a brand of sports nutrition supplements formulated specifically for women, at Walgreens in January. 

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – Sears and Kmart stores will open on Thanksgiving Day and stay open all night for early holiday shopping, parent company Sears Holdings said Monday.

The company said Kmart stores will open at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving and stay open until 11 p.m. on Black Friday, while Sears stores will open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving and stay open until 10 p.m. on Black Friday. Stores in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine and Puerto Rico will not be open on Thanksgiving due to state laws.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix on Friday posted sales for third quarter 2013 of $7 billion, representing a 5.6% increase. Comparable-store sales for third quarter 2013 increased 4.1%. 

Publix's sales for the first nine months of 2013 were $21.6 billion, a 5.2% increase from last year's $20.5 billion. Comparable-store sales for the first nine months of 2013 increased 3.4%. 

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General on Monday announced a number of senior management changes. Todd Vasos has been named COO with responsibility for store operations, merchandising and supply chain. And David D'Arezzo has joined the company as EVP and chief merchandising officer. 

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Target is extending its hours during the holiday shopping season at its Canadian stores, the mass merchandise retailer said Monday.

Target said most of its Canadian locations would offer extended hours from Nov. 29 to Dec. 30 as part of the "My Kind of Holiday" marketing campaign. The retailer will also extend its price-matching policy for the season; if customers purchase a qualifying item at Target between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 and subsequently find it for less in a local competitors printed ad, Target will match the competitor's price.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Grocer Harris Teeter posted an increase in fiscal 2013 sales and same-store sales.

For fiscal 2013, sales rose 3.8% to $4.71 billion from $4.54 billion in the year-ago period. Same-store sales for the year increased 2.23%.

Fourth quarter sales rose 4.5% to $1.19 billion from $1.14 billion in the year-ago period. The increase in sales was fueled by an increase in same-store sales and sales from new stores, partially offset by store closings. Same-store sales increased 1.49% for the quarter.