Top Retailers

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens this weekend reported that its customer email database, which is hosted by a third-party vendor, was accessed without permission.

The drug store chain, which uses vendor Epsilon to deploy its email promotional messages, said that law enforcement authorities were notified and are investigating the matter. The company also emphasized that email addresses were the only information obtained in this incident.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart has named the top eight toys for the summer.

The toys on the Hot 8 list all are designed for outdoor use and are made by such brands as Power Wheels, Little Tikes and Fisher Price.

This year's Hot 8 list includes:

• Banzai Splash Blast Lagoon pool;

CINCINNATI — A database that held the names and email addresses of Kroger customers has been breached, the retailer announced.

The supermarket conglomerate said that the incident occurred at its third-party vendor, Epsilon, which manages Kroger's customer email database and communications.

Kroger apologized to its customers and urged them not to open any messages from senders that they do not know, noting that Kroger would never ask for personal information (i.e., credit card or social security information) via email.

NEW YORK — Retailers rank among the highest for their customer service, according to a new report by the Temkin Group.

The consulting and research firm analyzed responses from 6,000 consumers, found that Amazon.com ranked No. 1 for providing an "excellent" customer experience, coming in with a ranking of 81.3%. A business qualifies for an "excellent" rating when their score is 80% or higher, Temkin said.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — Sundial has announced that Walgreens has become the exclusive national drug store retail partner for its SheaMoisture hair care line and will carry the products on shelf and online, beginning April 1.

"We are very excited to launch our newest collection at Walgreens," stated Richelieu Dennis, founder and CEO of Sundial Creations, maker of SheaMoisture. "They have been a key partner in the growth of our business and we are enthusiastic about bringing organic hair care products to such a broad consumer base."

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Friday announced the start of its companywide fundraising campaign for Easter Seals, Special Olympics, Rebuilding Together and a range of job training programs that help people with disabilities live fuller lives.

NEW YORK — Some of the nation's most popular retailers earned a spot on Interbrand's annual ranking of the 50 most valuable U.S. retail brands.

Walmart topped the list, with Target coming in the No. 2 spot, while CVS/pharmacy, Walgreens and Sam's Club respectively earned the fifth, sixth and seventh spots.

Other retailers on the list included Publix, Dollar General, Costco, Whole Foods and Family Dollar.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Total and front-end same-store sales at Rite Aid decreased during March, while pharmacy sales and prescriptions filled increased, the pharmacy retailer said Thursday.

Compared with last year, front-end same-store sales decreased by 1.8% during the four-week period that ended March 26, which the 4,711-store chain attributed to Easter falling on a later date this year, April 24, than last year, when it occurred on April 4.