Top Retailers

Report: Initiative to deregulate liquor sales fails in Washington state
SEATTLE — A ballot initiative in Washington to deregulate liquor sales has failed, while another appears to be headed in the same direction, according to published reports.

The Seattle Times reported Wednesday that Initiative-1105, which would abolish state liquor taxes and require retailers to buy liquor from distributors, failed with less than 37% of the vote. A second initiative, I-1100, which mass merchandiser Costco had strongly promoted, had around 48% of the vote with more than half the votes counted, according to the Times.
Stores thriving, PBM 'selling season going great,' Ryan says of CVS Q3

October at Walgreens: Sales up, comps down

DEERFIELD, Ill. October sales at Walgreens rose 3.7% to $5.85 billion, compared with the same month last year.

The drug store chain reported that Duane Reade stores, which the company acquired in April, contributed 2.8 percentage points to the total sales increase for the month.

Calendar day shifts negatively impacted the drug store chain's comparable sales, as same-store sales dropped 1.3% and comparable-pharmacy sales decreased 1.6%, despite the fact that Walgreens' October pharmacy sales increased 2.5%.
CVS, Kroger among GMA Retail Honors winners
Sam's Club takes children's vitamins center stage

Positioned directly opposite the pharmacy counter, Sam's Club has placed children's supplementation center stage with this pallet display of Bayer HealthCare's licensed Flintstone gummy vitamins. And as an extra "Yabba-dabba-doo!" for parents, Sam's Club makes mention of the fact that supplemented nutrition is only 7 cents per day.
Walgreens accuses Wegmans of trademark infringement
Research shows retail clinics can replace up to 1-in-4 emergency room visits

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. Up to 1-in-4 emergency room visits could take place at a retail-based health clinic or urgent care center, saving potentially $4.4 billion annually, according to new research published in the September issue of Health Affairs.

Furthermore, the research found that such retail clinics as Take Care Clinics have been shown to save patients $279 to $460 per visit compared with emergency room costs.
Rite Aid pharmacist earns award from PPA

CAMP HILL, Pa. Rite Aid pharmacist and regional pharmacy recruiter Donna Hazel was named the 2010 Pennsylvania Pharmacist of the Year by the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association, Rite Aid announced Friday.
Shift away from PBM could make room for more broad-service, integrated approach to health care

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT “We don’t have to be the PBM.” That’s what Greg Wasson, Walgreens president and CEO, told Drug Store News in one interview last year, and it neatly encapsulates the dynamic that may be unfolding behind the scenes at the nation’s top pharmacy retailer.

(THE NEWS: Walgreens said to consider sale of PBM. For the full story, click here)
Target launches anti-smoking campaign with American Cancer Society

MINNEAPOLIS — Target announced that it is launching a month-long anti-smoking campaign in connection with the American Cancer Society's 2010 Great American Smokeout to support guests and team members in their efforts to quit smoking.