Top Retailers

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Sanofi announced today that Auvi-Q (epinephrine injection, USP) is now available in U.S. retail pharmacies nationwide with a prescription from a healthcare provider.

NEW YORK — This year's virulent flu season driven by a predominant H3N2 bug has people hitting their drug stores in droves in search of symptomatic relief, suggested an article published online by Forbes Monday. 

Shifting patients away from hospital emergency rooms and into retail-based and urgent care walk-in clinics can significantly lower healthcare costs, improve access to care and reduce the impact of such chronic diseases as diabetes and hyperlipidemia, two health benefits experts asserted in a recent online presentation.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer's digital coupon program has reached 1 million subscribers, the mass merchandise chain said.

Meijer announced that the program, called mPerks, generated 101,000 new members, 13.7 million clipped offers and more than $5 million in savings in December.

NEW YORK — YouGov's BrandIndex has named 25 brands to its "2012 Annual US Top Buzz Rankings," YouGov said.

The index measures public perception of thousands of brands based on interviews with thousands of consumers every day, with more than 2.5 million interviews every year.

PALMYRA, Pa. — Those thirty-something parents picking up a cold remedy for their kids may have happened by this display at Walmart in Palmyra, Pa. Just in time for Valentine's Day, J&J's KY personal lubricant brand has pieced together a "date night" deal that includes dinner and "an unforgettable evening" for Mom and Dad on the one day of the year it's not all about junior.

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. — 99¢ Only Stores last week announced that Richard Anicetti has assumed the role of interim CEO. In addition, Michael Fung will join the company as interim chief administrative officer overseeing finance, information technology, real estate and various administrative functions of the company. 

In connection with the foregoing changes, the original family management team Eric Schiffer, Jeff Gold and Howard Gold are no longer employed by the company. 

Washington, D.C. — Retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) will increase 3.4%, down slightly from 4.2% in 2012 and 5.8% in 2011, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2013 economic forecast.

The lukewarm forecast, released Monday, comes on the heels of a holiday season that went head-to-head with Washington’s political wrangling over fiscal concerns, shifting consumers’ spending plans downward. In the end, holiday sales in 2012 grew 3.0%.