Top Retailers

MINNEAPOLIS — Target said that its in-store recycling stations collected and recycled more than 170 million shopping bags, weighing more than 1,800 tons, between April and December 2010.

The retailer also said that its in-store recycling stations, which were launched to make it easier for guests to recycle common household items, also collected and recycled more than 700 tons of bottles and cans, as well as nearly 2 million units of such small electronics as MP3 players and cell phones during the nine-month period.

BRISBANE, Calif. — Walmart announced that it has acquired the services of Kosmix, a Mountain View, Calif.-based company, to grow its multichannel strategy.

BOISE, Idaho — Albertson's LLC, which operates more than 200 stores across seven states under the Albertsons banner, announced it has joined the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance.

The retail grocery chain joins such companies as UnitedHealth Group, YMCA, Walgreens and Novo Nordisk as a DPCA partner. Albertson's LLC will participate in the DCPA's Diabetes Control Program, offering its customers community-based programs that help prevent and control diabetes.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's SVP category management Tony Montini has been promoted to EVP merchandising, the pharmacy retailer said Monday.

In addition, SVP business development Bryan Shirtliff has been promoted to the new position of SVP merchandising.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is showcasing new candy varieties for last-minute Easter shoppers, the pharmacy retailer said Monday.

The National Confectioners Association ranked Easter as one of the top-selling holidays for candy and estimated that 16 billion jelly beans and 90 million chocolate Easter bunnies are produced each year. Four-in-5 Americans celebrate Easter and are expected to spend about $14.6 billion during the holiday at all retailers nationwide, according to the National Retail Federation.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar announced that it has named Brad Rogers to the position of VP real estate development.

Rogers will report to Keith Gehl, SVP real estate and facilities.

“Accelerating new store growth is a key element of our strategic agenda,” Gehl said. “Through Brad’s leadership, we will continue our aggressive growth in both new and existing markets to provide budget-conscious customers with a compelling shopping experience in more areas of the country.”

CARLISLE, Pa. — A health-and-wellness conference that brings together retail dietitians and nutritionists has tapped Ahold USA and its Giant Carlisle division as the event's retail host.

Field Trip Factory's third annual Dietitian Summit, which strives to generate awareness about the food industry's commitment to consumer health, will be held next month at a Giant Super Food store in Willow Grove, Pa. About 40 retail dietitians and nutritionists are expected to attend the three-day conference.

NEW YORK — Drug stores may be best positioned to navigate any headwinds whipped up by rising fuel costs and may even benefit from them, a Credit Suisse analysis published Friday found.