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PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway announced that it has tapped singer/songwriter and philanthropist Avril Lavigne to thank customers who support the retailer's annual Support for People with Disabilities fundraising campaign.

NEW YORK — Bainbridge & Knight on Tuesday announced the introduction of Lichi Super Fruit Super Probiotic, formulated with three strains of probiotic bacteria — Bifidobacterium lactis B1-04, BioOptima Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactospore.

These multiple strains work together as part of a fastest-acting formula available, the company stated. Additionally, these patented probiotic strains are better protected from stomach acids, ensuring guaranteed delivery and maximum absorption.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday released case studies presented last week before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2012 National Immunization Conference on how retail pharmacy can expand access to immunizations and help support disease-prevention initiatives.

The studies demonstrated the impact of three Walgreens initiatives aimed at increasing immunization rates: off-clinic hour vaccine administration, a pharmacist-led meningitis vaccination program and expansion of access to immunization services in underserved areas.

CHICAGO — Catherine Lindner, Walgreens VP retail marketing, has been named vice chair of the Network of Executive Women, the association announced Tuesday. Under the NEW's bylaws, Lindner will assume the post of board chair when the term of the current board chair — Walmart SVP home Michelle Gloeckler — expires in October 2012.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — With more than 4 billion steps logged by Walk with Walgreens participants in the program’s first year, Walgreens on Sunday night teamed with Donald Trump and "The Celebrity Apprentice" to promote more healthy steps in 2012. Walk with Walgreens also partnered with the Magic Johnson Foundation on Monday behind a national campaign where Walgreens retail locations will be selling a commemorative charity bracelet with $2 from each purchase benefitting the Magic Johnson Foundation.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — In the wake of an approved Express Scripts-Medco merger, Walgreens reiterated its consensus that Walgreens' participation in Medco's pharmacy network would continue without disruption.

"We have a good relationship with Medco and an ongoing contract in place that we intend to honor," Walgreens' spokesman Jim Cohn shared with DSN in an email. "We are pleased that Express Scripts said today that it, too, intends to honor Medco’s contract with us."

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has brought in someone with both advertising and retail experience to oversee its marketing efforts. The company announced that Jeffrey Jones II has been named as the company’s EVP and chief marketing officer, effective immediately.

RICHMOND, Va. — A Giant-Carlisle pharmacist has won recognition from the country's largest pharmacist organization for his immunizations. Dennis Stanley, a pharmacist at Martin's Food Market — a banner under Ahold's Giant-Carlisle chain — won the American Pharmacists Association's 2012 APhA Immunization Champion Lifetime Achievement Award.