Top Retailers

CARLISLE, Pa. — Giant Food Stores has opened its first small pharmacy in a Valley Forge, Pa., retirement community, the supermarket chain said.

The Carlisle, Pa.-based supermarket banner, owned by Ahold USA, opened the pharmacy at the Shannondell, a nationally recognized continuing care community.

"This pharmacy offers the residents a selection of convenience items and top-quality pharmacy service they have come to appreciate at the larger Giant Food Stores located across the street, right within their own community."

LONGUEUIL, Quebec — The Jean Coutu Group reported sales of C$653.8 million in second quarter 2014, compared with C$658.7 million in second quarter 2013.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has opened eight new MinuteClinic locations in Louisiana, the company said Wednesday.

CVS said it opened the clinics inside CVS/pharmacy stores in Baton Roughe, Mandeville, Slidell and Thibodaux, with plans to open four more in New Orleans, Metairie, Prairieville and Kenner. The openings make Louisiana the 27th state in which MinuteClinic operates.

CHICAGO — In order to win in today’s shopper environment, retailers and suppliers need to approach marketing programs in a whole different way — together. It all comes down to two key words: shared media.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale had sales of $31.8 billion in fourth quarter 2013 and $102.9 billion in fiscal year 2013, the club retailer said Wednesday.

The sales figures respectively represented a 1% and 6% increase over the same period last year. Profit for the quarter was $617 million, compared with $609 million in fourth quarter 2012, and $2.04 billion for the fiscal year, compared with $1.71 billion in fiscal year 2012.

CHICAGO — When collaborating with Target to develop a unique, behavior-changing program, keep one thing in mind — there’s no “silver bullet.”

That was a key takeaway for attendees of Wednesday morning’s seminar, “Inspiring and Winning the Target Guest in Healthcare — A Differentiated Approach,” a key part of the educational lineup here at the Shopper Marketing Expo at Navy Pier.

SAN FRANCISCO — With the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act mired in controversy, two of the nation’s largest retailers are backing an innovative Employers Centers of Excellence Network that will offer no-cost knee and hip-replacement surgeries at four highly regarded hospitals.

Walmart and Lowe’s issued a joint statement that they and other large employers had joined the Pacific Business Group on Health Negotiating Alliance (PBGH-NA) to launch the national Employer’s Centers of Excellence Network.

PHOENIX — Rite Aid is renewing its contract with e-sourcing firm Intesource, the Phoenix-based e-sourcing company said Tuesday.

Rite Aid's contract with Intesource dates back to 2009, and the Camp Hill, Pa.-based chain has used it to tackle complex and strategic categories, ranging from print advertising to snow plowing services. E-sourcing refers to using an online portal to attract bids from suppliers of products and services.