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DENVER — UrgentRx on Wednesday announced expansion of its line of fast-acting over-the-counter flavored powder medications into Duane Reade and Walmart. 

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Thursday reported a sales increase of 1.3% to $44.2 billion in 2012 for its fiscal year ended Dec. 29, driven by increased fuel sales and a same-store sales increase of 0.5% (excluding fuel), the grocer reported. Safeway chairman and CEO Steve Burd projected identical sales as high as 2% in the first quarter of 2013, in part because of the success Safeway has had with its loyalty program Just 4 U. 

CAMP HILL, Pa. — New Jersey first lady and chairwoman of the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund Mary Pat Christie will visit a Point Pleasant, N.J., Rite Aid store on Friday at 11:30 a.m. with Rite Aid executives to receive money for the fund, Rite Aid said Thursday.

PITTSBURGH — GNC is ramping up its reach beyond its 6,100 retail outlets, Joe Fortunato, the company's chairman, president and CEO, told analysts last week. The company's relationship with Sam's Club, which incorporated a branded shelf in July, is expanding; new products are being introduced to PetSmart, suggesting potential growth in pet supplements; and GNC's Marked line, co-developed with action movie star Mark Wahlberg, has been launched through Rite Aid and Walgreens. 

NEW YORK — Supermarket operator Ahold USA could be in a position to buy Matthews, N.C.-based supermarket chain Harris Teeter, according to published reports.

Citing remarks by BMO Capital Markets analyst Karen Short, the Wall Street Journal reported that Ahold, Publix Super Markets and Kroger Co. would be candidates for a purchase of Harris Teeter, with Ahold named as the most logical candidate due to an acquisitive nature and a desire to enter the southern United States.

LANDOVER, Md. — Giant Food, joined by Feeding America food bank leaders, held a press conference today to highlight the company's 2012 giving and announce Child Hunger Grants. Giant’s monetary and in-kind contributions exceeded $12 million, which was an increase from $8.3 million in 2011.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Legislation that would require pharmacy benefit managers to seek licensure from the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy if they were to distribute medicines to Oklahoma residents was introduced on Tuesday, according to an Associated Press report. 

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — More than 20 athletes from Special Olympics Florida experienced what it’s like to be a major league ball player when they took part in a recent CVS Caremark All Kids Can Baseball Camp during Red Sox Spring Training.