Top Retailers

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Two speakers at the American Telemedicine Association’s annual meeting last week had positive words for the convenient care industry and essentially told attendees what Drug Store News has been saying for some time: Retail clinics are poised for significant growth.

(THE NEWS: Retail clinics positioned for dramatic growth. For the full story, click here.)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Little Clinic has announced that it has earned reaccreditation from the Joint Commission by continuing to demonstrate compliance with the highest national standards for healthcare safety and quality of care.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Kroger, The Little Clinic initially earned accreditation and the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval in 2009 and is only the second retail healthcare provider to receive reaccreditation from the Joint Commission.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart is introducing prescription pet medications at its stores, the mass merchandise retail chain said Friday.

The company said the new program was designed to make it easier for customers to get branded and generic pet drugs and more convenient to shop for the whole family. More than 60% of American households own a pet, and families spent more than $50 billion on their pets in 2011, according to the American Pet Products Association.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — A 30% rise in attendance at the Armada Specialty Pharmacy Summit is nothing to brush off — it's as clear an indication as any that specialty pharmacy is growing and probably poised for more growth in the near future, thanks in particular to the aging population and consequential rise in the number of people living with difficult-to-treat medical conditions.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar is gearing up to offer its customers a broader selection of merchandise, including refrigerated and frozen food, through a strategic partnership with McLane.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid reported a 2.9% increase in same-store sales for the month of April, the company said in a monthly sales report Thursday.

The boost included a 2.7% increase in front-end comps and a 3% increase in pharmacy comps, as well as a 3.8% increase in script count. Total drug store sales for the period, which ended Saturday, were nearly $2 billion, a 2.5% increase over the $1.95 billion reported in April 2011.

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — HumanKind Water, PlateTopper and SnapIt Eyeglass Repair Kit have the distinction of being the winners of Walmart's Get on the Shelf contest — beating out more than 4,000 inventors, entrepreneurs and small businesses to claim the coveted prize of being carried in Walmart's U.S. stores, as well as on Walmart.com.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid will be among the industry sponsors of a benefit for women's cancer research, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

Rite Aid announced that it would field run-walk teams for the Entertainment Industry Foundation Revlon Run/Walk for Women events in New York and Los Angeles, while Revlon will donate $25,000 in Rite Aid beauty product sales. The retailer also will offer Revlon coupons online and will sell exclusive nail polish shades.