Top Retailers

NEW YORK Rumors that Ukrop’s was on the sales block seems to finally have come to fruition. And with Ahold being the acquisition partner, this may mark a resurgence of Ukrop’s, known for its close community ties, in its core Virginia markets.

Here Nutrition 21's new product Diabetes Essentials is positioned in CVS' diabetes destination set. Key point of differentiation -- convenient stick pack that can be added to bottled water for the on-the-go diabetic.

Walgreens is promoting general merchandise and personal care products with its 'Big Joy. Little Prices' campaign.

The campaign is a way for Walgreens to drive sales by promoting everyday, front-end items ranging from shampoo to diapers.

Walgreens’ merchandising team has long displayed a knack for jumping quickly on new product trends and getting those items into its stores — particularly during the critical Christmas sales season. One new example is this narrow in-line display for Jupiter Jack, an “As Seen On TV” device designed to allow motorists to talk hands-free on their cell phones. The device, which is mounted on a dashboard, transmits cell phone signals through the car radio and sells online for $20.

Imitation may be the best form of flattery, but CVS' store brand equivalent to Boiron's Oscillo speaks volumes to something else: The gaining popularity of homeopathy.

And that's especially true this year, as concerns over the novel H1N1 flu pandemic have driven scores of consumers into their pharmacies in search of safe and effective symptomatic relief solutions.

A couple of issues back I wrote a column about a question a guy asked me at conference earlier this fall: “So, who’s bigger—CVS or Walgreens?” Ironically, it was the week each company opened its 7,000th store. The point: If you’re measuring these companies based solely on who operates the most stores, if that’s the way you’re keeping score, you’re watching the wrong game.

I still believe that.