Top Retailers

Walgreens generates October sales of $6.4 billion with a 5.8% same-store sales lift
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.
CVS' Merlo: Health reform to benefit business in 2014
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.

MusclePharm targets women with new sports nutrition line

DENVER — MusclePharm on Monday announced the launch of FitMiss, a brand of sports nutrition supplements formulated specifically for women, at Walgreens in January.
Kmart, Sears offer extended holiday shopping hours

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.
Publix posts third-quarter comp lift of 4.1%

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%.
Todd Vasos named Dollar General COO; former Duane Reade exec joins Dollar General executive team

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.
Target launches Canadian holiday shopping season

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.
Safeway completes sale of Canadian operations to Sobeys

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.
Lay's to introduce chocolate-covered potato chip

PLANO, Texas — Lay's will roll out Lay's Wavy Potato Chips Dipped in Milk Chocolate next week, according to a report from USA Today.
Gordon Reid appointed as Giant-Landover president

CARLISLE, Pa. – Ahold USA has appointed a former executive for Asian retailer Dairy Farm International as president of its Giant Food of Landover, Md., division, Ahold said Friday.