Top Retailers

NEW YORK — Verizon Communications on Thursday elected Greg Wasson, Walgreens president and CEO, to the Verizon board of directors, effective March 1.

"Greg Wasson brings to Verizon an in-depth knowledge of the retail and healthcare industries," stated Lowell McAdam, Verizon chairman and CEO. "He offers a unique perspective as the leader of a successful Fortune 50 company focused on innovation, traditional and nontraditional growth, operational and technical excellence, and multichannel integration. We welcome him as a valuable addition to our board."

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is promoting itself as a Valentine's Day shopping destination for women, the retail pharmacy chain said.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. reported net sales of nearly $6 billion in January, the company said Thursday.

The mass merchandise retailer reported sales of $5.97 billion, a 29.6% increase over the $4.6 billion reported in January 2012. Comps for the period, which ended Saturday, increased 3.1%.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — The team of pharmacists at Rexall Pharma Plus administered 190,000 of the more than 200,000 flu shots provided by pharmacists in Ontario this flu season, the Canadian retailer announced on Thursday.

Rexall Pharma Plus offered flu shots at all of its more than 250 Ontario pharmacies any time, with no appointment necessary. Rexall is Katz Group Canada’s flagship national chain.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club will offer free heart health screenings at 563 of its stores on Saturday, the club retailer said.

The screenings, taking place at stores with pharmacies, will include tests valued at up to $100 for glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index and vision screenings.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart is marking Black History Month in February with a financial empowerment campaign aimed at African-Americans, the mass merchandise retailer said Wednesday.

Kmart said it would partner with Essence Magazine senior editor for personal finance and careers Tanisha Sykes for the sixth-annual Share the Word campaign.

CINCINNATI — Local Kroger stores will discontinue doubling coupons and will instead lower prices on about 3,500 items, according to a report published in the Business Courier last week. The new everyday lower prices and corresponding shelf tags were rolled out on Monday. 

Kroger will cease doubling coupons up to 50 cents by March and the change is only taking place across the Cincinnati/Dayton division. 

GLENDALE, Calif. — Nestle today announced new additions to its line of Valentine’s Day offerings.

This season's collection includes the new Wonka Lik-M-Aid Fun Dip Mystery Flavor Valentine Exchange Kit. Returning this year are Lik-M-Aid Fun Dip Valentine Exchange Kit, Nestlé Crunch and Butterfinger Hearts, Wonka's best-selling Nerds , Pixy Stix, or Laffy Taffy Candy and Card Kits, Wonka Sweetarts Lollipops and Wonka Sweetarts Hearts.