Top Retailers

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — There is one key takeaway from Fast Company's naming of Walgreens as one of the industry's most innovative companies — Walgreens wasn't classified under the industry banner of "retailer," but under the industry banner of "health care." And if that isn't proof enough that Walgreens' latest retooling of its pharmacy is making patients rethink what health care is all about, then consider this: Walgreens is the only company in Fast Company's Healthcare Top 10 that physically interacts with patients — in Americ

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club is taking its promotion of health-and-wellness solutions further by launching its own branded, bimonthly magazine.

Sam' Club said its 8-million member circulation magazine, Healthy Living Made Simple, is the first warehouse club publication solely dedicated to health-and-wellness issues. Topics covered by the publication include items related to personal, child and pet health. Future issues will spotlight local Sam’s Club pharmacists, optometrists and associates, as well as members’ stories, Sam's Club said.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and AARP are expanding their relationship with a new retail drug store program that will provide AARP members with exclusive offers and rewards, and includes member and community outreach to promote health and wellness.

The program will run for three years and builds on an already-established relationship between the two, which have collaborated on several initiatives since 2006.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target reported a 7% same-store sales increase in February that shattered the company’s guidance for a 4% gain, thanks to unseasonably warm weather, which boosted shopper traffic and transaction sizes.

The sales increases was well above the company’s expectations, which prompted chairman, president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel to say, “We’re very pleased with the pace of our sales since the holiday season, though we continue to plan for a first quarter comparable-store sales increase of around 4%.”

CINCINNATI — Despite recording an increase in total and identical-store sales during fourth quarter 2011, Kroger reported a net loss due to costs associated with consolidating its pension plan for union workers.

The grocer, whose banners include Kroger, Ralphs and Food 4 Less, said the loss of of $306.9 million, or 54 cents per share, compared with a profit of $278.8 million in the year-ago period.

Total sales in the quarter rose 7.7% to $21.4 billion. Excluding fuel, sales rose 5%. Same-store sales increased 4.9% (excluding fuel).

WOONSOCKET, R.I., and NEW YORK  — Accordant Health Services, a CVS Caremark company, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research on Wednesday announced a collaboration to provide to patients with Parkinson's disease who are enrolled in Accordant-sponsored care management programs information about resources available through the foundation.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Supervalu announced the launch of a custom-built mobile application designed to give customers the tools they need to be efficient while shopping at its stores.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco is off to a good start in 2012, with high increases in second-quarter sales and earnings.

The company reported that net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 increased 10% to $22.5 billion, from $20.5 billion last year. Total comparable-store sales for the quarter increased 8%, consisting of an 8% increase at both U.S. and international clubs. Excluding the impact of fuel, comparable-store sales were up 7%, consisting of a 7% increase at U.S. clubs and a 10% increase at international clubs.