Top Retailers

LONDON — Alliance Boots on Wednesday announced its contract manufacturing business BCM will invest heavier into core competency categories, such as beauty and skin care, as it discontinues third-party manufacturer development in unnamed "unprofitable" categories. 

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is tying in its fundraising efforts for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals with an upcoming children's movie.

The retail pharmacy chain announced it would kick off its 19th annual campaign for the group tied in with "Epic," the 20th Century Fox Films movie that will be in theaters starting May 24. The animated movie tells the story of a teenage girl who is magically shrunk to meet a group of warriors who protect the natural world.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores on Monday named Scott Zucker to the newly created position of SVP merchandise operations. Zucker will be responsible for driving the strategy and execution of merchandise initiatives, category management, merchandise planning and replenishment.

NEW YORK — The American Diabetes Association, partnering with Walgreens and Duane Reade, on Tuesday kicked off its 25th Annual American Diabetes Association Alert Day, a one-day "wake-up call" asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.   

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Tuesday announced plans to reduce its national workforce by an estimated 1,100 positions. The reductions include both current positions and open jobs that will not be filled.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer will fund local food pantries by doubling every customer's $10 donation next month, the mass-merchandise retailer said.

As part of the spring "Simply Give" campaign, the company will double donations made April 12-13 to restock shelves of pantries that were depleted during the holidays. Meijer said customers have donated nearly $5 million — equal to 30 million meals — since November 2008.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday announced the planned retirement of VP and pension investment officer, Rich Manka, effective July 15.

"Throughout his career, Rich has been a trusted member of Kroger's leadership team," stated Mike Schlotman, Kroger's CFO. "Pension plan trustees and participants alike have benefited from his vast knowledge and influence on investment strategies and plan designs. We thank Rich for his contributions to our company and industry and wish him the very best."

CARLISLE, Pa. — Martin's Food Markets donated more than $2.2 million in the Richmond and Williamsburg, Va., areas in 2012 as part of its "Living Here, Giving Here" charitable program, the supermarket chain said.

Martin's, part of Ahold USA's Giant-Carlisle chain, said the donations broke a record. The money will go to hunger-relief, animal welfare and poverty relief groups, schools, the United Way, USO of Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia and others.