Top Retailers

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway surprised analysts Thursday morning with fourth-quarter earnings per share of 62 cents, well above a consensus of 57 cents among analysts.

Total sales were up 0.9% to $12.8 billion in the fourth quarter. Higher fuel sales and an increase in the Canadian exchange rate were offset by reduced sales due to store closures and a 0.8% decline in identical-store sales, excluding fuel, the grocer reported. Same-store sales, excluding fuel, declined 0.5%. Fuel sales rose 23%.

Share value on the NYSE was up 14 cents in mid-day trading to $22.19.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy and the United Negro College Fund, a minority education organization, are teaming up to celebrate Black History Month and promote education in the retailer's stores nationwide.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — As expected, CVS/pharmacy officially has introduced a new line of store-brand products called Just the Basics, which is comprised of household essentials. As previously reported by Drug Store News, the retailer unveiled plans to launch the new line during its 2010 analyst day in October.

The new product line, exclusively available at CVS/pharmacy, is comprised of nearly 100 items, and there are plans to expand the line going forward.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Wednesday announced the appointment of Cindy Holmes to director of investor relations and Carin Fike to director and assistant treasurer. Both changes will be effective March 6.

Fike will report to Kroger's treasurer, Scott Henderson; Holmes will report to Kroger's CFO, Michael Schlotman.

Holmes, 42, began her career with Kroger in 1990 in the information systems and services department, and for the past 10 years, she has served as the company's assistant treasurer.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — LifeScience Plus recently introduced Advanced BloodStop, a bandage that helps stop bleeding in less than one minute, at CVS/pharmacy.

“We are very excited to be able to offer this product through CVS,” stated Wayne Korteweg, COO of LifeScience Plus. “BloodStop is so much more effective and versatile than ordinary bandages; it’s an essential for any medicine cabinet, first aid kit or car for home or travel emergencies.”

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Despite gains in its international sector, Walmart experienced its seventh straight quarterly sales decline in its U.S. stores division for the period ended Jan. 31.

Walmart said although sales at its international stores rose 27%, its U.S. store sales fell short of its own projections for the holiday period. Sales at U.S. Walmart stores fell 0.5% to $71.1 billion, and were down 1.8% on a comparable-store basis, the company said.

CLEVELAND — A distributor of over-the-counter probiotic products has developed and launched a new yogurt line exclusively at Walmart stores.

Ganeden's enLiven yogurt is available in four flavors, including vanilla, blueberry, strawberry and peach, and features GanedenBC30 probiotics, the company said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has expanded its free prescription delivery service to more than 400 stores in the New York metropolitan area, the retail pharmacy chain announced Monday.

The service allows patients to receive their medications between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., though they must wait until the next day if they send their prescriptions after 11 a.m., and some limitations apply, such as for medications that require refrigeration.