Top Retailers

INDIANAPOLIS — Lilly Diabetes and Walgreens on Monday launched an awareness campaign at 43 Walgreens pharmacies throughout the Indianapolis area on the consequences of hypoglycemia.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that Google's VP local and maps Marissa Mayer will be up for election to the board at the company's annual shareholders' meeting on June 1. If elected, Mayer would become the 16th member of the board.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Walgreens and Car Charging Group on Monday announced the expansion of EV charging services to 13 Walgreens locations in Orlando and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.

"Walgreens dedication to the EV movement is unmatched by any other major retailer," Car Charging Group CEO Michael Farkas said. "Walgreens commitment to providing EV charging services to its customers nationwide is a testament to its support of environmental sustainability and of electric vehicle use."

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Monday announced three new executive appointments following the departure of Sue Klug, president of its Albertsons Southern California division.

Dan Sanders has been tapped to head Albertsons Southern California, Keith Wyche will lead Acme and Brian Audette has been named president at Cub Foods.

The key to smelling success in the fragrance category is to unlock the segment — literally. Yet, finding ways to successfully enhance the shopping experience through sampling always has been a bit tricky for mass market retailers. The answer, however, may just lie within the upscale beauty department at Duane Reade’s flagship store at 40 Wall St. in New York City.


WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — If you were to tell me that 4-out-of-every-5 people would choose 90-day prescriptions available by pickup at the pharmacy versus 90-day prescriptions delivered through mail order — and for about the same cost — I would tell you that we need to find the fifth person and make sure that they're OK. They might be suffering from a medical emergency and could need our help. The publication of this study in a peer-reviewed journal, however, serves as proof of concept addressing two concerns — choice and plan cost.

Customer loyalty has always been paramount for retailers, but as we wade into 2012 and beyond, it is becoming increasingly evident that retailers have a renewed focus on establishing a strong sense of loyalty and creating an engaging customer experience through cross-channel initiatives that are touching customers both in and — perhaps more importantly — out of the store.


“We want to make sure we’re talking to our members where and how they want to be spoken to.”


That was something Sam’s Club VP health and family care Jason Reiser said to me for the special report we did on the company that appeared on the cover of our April 2 issue. In case you missed it, you can download the full report here.