WALMART

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — CVS Caremark made headlines when it announced late in the day on Dec. 3 that former Walmart executive Hank Mullany had been named president of CVS/pharmacy. However, the wires were soon abuzz with news that Walmart had filed a lawsuit against CVS to block the hiring of Mullany.

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GURNEE, Ill. — EcoTools once again is joining forces with actress Alicia Silverstone to introduce for the spring the revamped eco-conscious cosmetic bag and brush collection set dubbed EcoTools by Alicia Silverstone.

The collection, which will launch April 2011, will feature three new additions and three revised sets. They will be available at Walmart, Target and Walgreens.

MINNETONKA, Minn. — Could the economy and the bare-knuckles competition that now defines pharmacy retailing lower the price bar even further for widely used generic drugs? It’s already happening.


BENTONVILLE, Ark. — As Walmart’s U.S. stores division looks to execute a broad slate of initiatives in the coming year to recharge domestic growth, it does so under the leadership of a new chief executive and a restructured merchandising organization.



BENTONVILLE, Ark. — It’s the kind of low-price power play that gives smaller-scale independent pharmacy owners — and chain drug store operators too, for that matter — the willies. In what promises to be another potent and potentially market-altering exercise in massive scale and competitive clout, Walmart has linked up with insurance heavyweight Humana to launch what it says will be the lowest-cost prescription drug plan for seniors who rely on Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.


Looking to bolster sales and better serve its customers, Walmart has stepped up its engagement with suppliers to review its assortment and bring in more new and innovative products — and the beauty department is no exception.


BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart stores have regained a familiar feeling this holiday season, and if senior executives are right, the increased promotional intensity will halt six consecutive quarters of declining same-store sales and put the company on the right track for 2011.