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An expected overall upswing in the economy in 2011 is likely to lead to consumers loosening the grip on their wallets. However, for the time being, the sluggish economy continues to shift hair care buying behavior.
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Value will remain the driving force behind hair care sales, despite a predicted upswing in the economy in 2011, as consumers are expected to remain careful spenders within the hair care sector,” stated research firm Euromonitor International.


LEBANON, Pa. — CVS has gotten the jump on what may become the craze for 2011 — e-tablets not called iPad.

About 80 tablets are to be featured at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show, according to a Washington Post report, as companies like Samsung, Toshiba and Motorola release their versions of the touch-screen wireless mini computer.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid on Tuesday announced its partnership with BL Body, a collection of shape wear available exclusively in Rite Aid stores, on a sweepstakes with a first prize trip for two to the location of the reality program “The Biggest Loser.”

Rite Aid is taking sweepstake entries through Jan. 22 for the $4,000-grand prize. Second prize is a year's membership for two to the Biggest Loser Club online weight-loss program, a $479 value.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid brought the New Year in with a bang, recording monthly same-store sales increases across both the front end and back bench for the first time in almost two years.

HILLSBORO, Ore. — Intel is helping its employees gain convenient access to health care with the opening this week of an on-site medical center at its Jones Farm Campus in Hillsboro, which will be operated by Walgreens' Take Care Health Systems, according to local news reports.

Later this year, Intel is looking to open a second worksite medical clinic at is Ronler Acres Campus, according to reports.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer last week announced its donation of 35 reconditioned semi-tractors to local food banks, academic organizations and law enforcement throughout the Midwest.

The donation is part of the chain's ongoing commitment to support the communities it serves, the company said.

HOUSTON — It seems that Kroger is looking to upgrade some of its stores in the Houston area, according to published reports.

The grocer is planning on opening a Marketplace store — a larger-scale model — in Willis, Texas, and will do major overhauls on five stores and minor remodels on six stores, according to the Houston Chronicle. The report also noted that Kroger planned to close two underperforming stores in the area as well.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark is more than doubling the size of its Medicare Part D program by acquiring the Medicare Part D business of Universal American for roughly $1.25 billion.

Universal American’s Part D business currently serves about 1.9 million Medicare PDP members, while CVS Caremark serves roughly 1.2 million Medicare PDP members. This reflects current levels of membership and does not include 2011 auto assignment or the results of the annual enrollment period, which ended Dec. 31, 2010.