Chain Drug Review articles from February 2005

Chain Drug Review archives from February 2005

Medicare Rx rules "fall short' for retail pharmacy.
February 14, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The final rules for the new Medicare drug benefit that were released last month by the Bush administration could dramatically impact community pharmacies across the country, those who have scrutinized the regulations say. ...

Best Buy's eq-life radical direction for a drug store.(Q)
February 14, 2005... RICHFIELD, Minn. -- A patient waiting for a prescription in the pharmacy department of the recently opened eq-life store is unlikely to be so tense that she would require a massage--but she can enjoy one there if she so desires. A full spa...

New format is milestone for ShopKo.
February 14, 2005... HOWARD, Wis. -- Chain drug retailing in eastern Wisconsin is poised to become a little more competitive after ShopKo Stores Inc. opened the first of what could eventually be dozens of standalone drug stores. The first three ShopKo Express...

CACDS celebrates 10 years of service.(Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores)
February 14, 2005... TORONTO -- In comparison with other Canadian retail trade associations, the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores (CACDS) is a youngster. It will have celebrated its 10th anniversary at its annual conference here earlier this month. ...

P&G/Gillette deal wows CPG sector.
February 14, 2005... CINCINNATI -- Procter & Gamble Co.'s (P&G's) plan to buy Gillette Co. for $57 billion would create the world's largest consumer products company, an enterprise with annual sales of more than $60 billion. P&G, already the biggest consumer...

NACDS looks at the road ahead.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)
February 14, 2005... NAPLES, Fla. -- While the future holds numerous challenges for community pharmacy, ranging from mandatory mail programs to shrinking pharmacy margins, it also holds considerable opportunities, particularly if the industry acts in concert to...

Advisory board to held identify issues established by NACDS.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has created an advisory board to provide it with advice and recommendations on key industry issues. "The creation of the advisory board has provided the industry with a...

Rite Aid remains firm on outlook for fiscal '05.
February 14, 2005... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Although January same-store sales fell for the third month in a row, Rite Aid Corp. has confirmed its previous projections of sales, net income and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization...

Walgreens decides it will accept Amex cards.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. has announced that it will continue to accept American Express cards. The chain had planned to stop taking the cards as of January 14 to avoid having to pay American Express Co.'s high service fees. "A...

MSI unveils new advertising campaign.(Medicine Shoppe International )(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... ST. LOUIS -- Medicine Shoppe International (MSI) has rolled out a national advertising program that is intended to show its pharmacists' dedication to patient care and counseling. Prior to developing the campaign, which is entitled Caring...

New HHS secretary takes aim at Medicaid costs.(Health and Human Services)
February 14, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Michael Leavitt has called for sweeping changes in Medicaid that would cut payments for prescription drugs and give states more power to restructure the benefits they pay under the...

E-prescribing gets an endorsement.
February 14, 2005... WASHINGTON -- In addition to issuing the final rules for next year's Medicare prescription benefit program, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has set the stage for the widespread use of electronic prescribing. Less than...

Pocahontas DVD.(Supplier News)(Digital Video Disk)
February 14, 2005... BURBANK, Calif. -- Walt Disney Home Entertainment will make the movie Pocahontas available for the first time in a special DVD 10th anniversary edition that will debut on May 3. The DVD release features two versions of the film, including...

Baldness management the next big niche.(new products for bald men)
February 14, 2005... MANALAPAN, N.J. -- Howard Brauner has an unusual title at his new company: He is the "Head Bald Guy." But it is fitting considering that his company is marketing a line of grooming products for bald men. The line, Bald Guyz, was...

McMenemy takes reins at Del Labs.(mergers and appointments)(DLI Acquisition Corp)(Bill McMenemy)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Del Laboratories Inc. has completed its merger with DLI Acquisition Corp., a company affiliated with Kelso & Co. The transaction closed following its approval by Del's shareholders. Under terms of the agreement and the...

Fletcher to step down at Hallmark.(Supplier News)(Retirement)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... KANSAS CITY -- Donald Fletcher will retire as president of the personal expressions group of Hallmark Cards Inc. on June 30. He has held that position since 1997. Fletcher will be succeeded by David Hall, currently senior vice president of...

Snacking Smart Ambassador sought.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... HERSHEY, Pa. -- Hershey Foods Corp.'s Hershey's Smart-Zone nutrition bar brand is sponsoring a contest to find the smartest snacker in the United States. The Snacking Smart Ambassador contest began last month and will run until March 20. ...

IRI upgrades the quality of pricing information.(Supplier News)(Information Resources Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... CHICAGO -- Information Resources Inc. (IRI) has introduced frequent shopper program (FSP) pricing. Using the principles of Six Sigma, the market research company focused on improving the currency, completeness and correctness of its...

Year studded with product introductions slated by P&G.(Supplier News)
February 14, 2005... CINCINNATI -- Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) is launching a plethora of items in a variety of categories this year. The giant consumer products company's category-leading Pantene hair care brand is poised to bring an assortment of new...

Coutu earnings impacted by Eckerd integration costs.(Business)
February 14, 2005... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- Although revenues nearly tripled during fiscal 2005's second quarter, income before certain special items plunged more than 50% at the Jean Coutu Group, as costs associated with the acquisition of more than 1,500 Eckerd...

Big legal settlement pushes McKesson into red.(Business)
February 14, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- With revenue growth gaining double-digit momentum in two of its major business segments, net income before huge litigation charges rose 20.2% at McKesson Corp. during the third quarter of fiscal 2005. The results exceeded the...

Walgreens always gets it right--and it shows.(My Turn)
February 14, 2005... Once again in 2004, Walgreen Co. posted results that outpaced the competition. For the fiscal year that ended last August, the drug chain recorded sales of $37.51 billion, earnings of $1.36 billion. Mention was made at the retailer's recent...

Unexpected consequences are always there.(My Turn)
February 14, 2005... The shock waves stemming from Procter & Gamble's acquisition of Gillette will be felt throughout the consumer packaged goods and retailing industries. In ways both obvious and unexpected, the combination will alter the balance of power among...

As oral care becomes oral health, chains benefit.(drug stores)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- The oral care category performed well in chain drug stores last year, largely driven by the popularity of whitening products, and is expected to turn in a repeat performance this year. "It's a strong category for us," Duane...

Acquisition will broaden P&G stable.(Procter & Gamble Co)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... CINCINNATI -- Procter & Gamble Co.'s (P&G's) position in the $5 billion oral care market has been greatly expanded with the acquisition of another major consumer products company--Gillette Co.--that also offers many dental items. The deal...

Retailers use promos to hit hard.(drug stores)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Oral care continues to play a big role in drug chains' promotional efforts. Hardly a week goes by that drug chains large and small do not feature at least one--and usually several--oral care items in their circulars or in-store...

'All whiteners are not created equal'.(new whitening toothpaste)
February 14, 2005... BOSTON -- A stroll down the oral care aisle of just about any chain drug store will give a customer a glimpse of a wide range of dental whiteners--from chewing gum to dental floss to gels, mouthwashes and strips. But this month those...

Men could improve on daily habits.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... CHICAGO -- Women may be the prime purchasers of oral care products in chain drug stores, but men are in need of the most help when it comes to tooth and gum care and other oral hygiene practices, according to the American Dental Association...

Suit triggers brouhaha over flossing.(dental floss)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Floss use is growing--and a little bit of controversy is drawing increased attention to the segment. "Dental floss use in general is growing faster than ever," emphasizes the president and chief executive officer of Dr. Fresh...

Vibrator promises better gum health.(Oral Care)(Vibrating Gum Stimulator )(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... PARAMUS, N.J. -- Dental Concepts plans a spring debut for The Doctor's DentalMate, described as the only vibrating gum stimulator on the market. The company says the device is designed to increase blood flow to the gums in a fraction of...

Pain relief has to be immediate and effective.(oral care)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- If need be, a customer can wait to purchase a whitening product or another everyday oral care item. But when it comes to oral pain relievers the need is more often immediate. Consumers also want the right products for their...

When it comes to fun Zooth is on the scene.(Oral Care)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... BOSTON -- Zooth Inc., which has made significant inroads in the children's oral care market over the last 10 years, has been preparing innovations since its acquisition last year by Gillette Co. Zooth plans to expand its collection of...

Oral care category has many varied faces.
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Besides toothpastes and whiteners, the oral care category in chain drug stores encompasses a variety of segments. Among the largest: * Accessories and tools. These products have posted growth, in part due to the debut of...

Sealants, fluoride are beneficial.(Oral Care)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- A new analysis of dental claims data shows that sealants and professional fluoride treatments play significant roles in helping children fight tooth decay. Analysts from the Data and Analysis Center (DAC), an...

P&G, Philips team up on a 'first'.(Oral Care)
February 14, 2005... CINCINNATI -- Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) and Philips Oral Healthcare Inc. are debuting the IntelliClean System, billed as the first-of-its-kind integrated toothbrush, designed to drive specially formulated liquid toothpaste deep between the...

The No. 1 rule in selling is location, location ...(Oral Care)
February 14, 2005... ST. LOUIS -- Since oral care sales are heavily influenced by impulse items, promotions and secondary locations, the decision-making role of the category manager in determining placement "is first and foremost" in influencing sales in the oral...

Colgate flexes global muscle.(Oral Care)(Colgate-Palmolive Co.)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Colgate-Palmolive Co. reached a milestone in manual toothbrushes last year, becoming the global market share leader in the segment, says chairman and chief executive officer Reuben Mark. In discussing the company's 2004...

Natural products are in step with the times.(Beauty Watch)
February 14, 2005... Canus Vermont LLC continues to grow by leaps and bounds. To support the growth of its line of products formulated from fresh goat's milk, the company recently hired a national sales manager and is poised to break ground on a new warehouse...

'Store within a store' concept works.(Beauty Watch)
February 14, 2005... The natural products segment of health and beauty care is growing at a much faster rate than overall category sales, and Canus, maker of specialty skin care products based on goat's milk, is in a prime position to capitalize on this trend. ...

Print ads reach, grow audience.(Beauty Watch)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... One of the ways that consumers have become more aware of Canus Goat's Milk skin care products is through the launch of an advertising program in consumer magazines in 2004. Canus advertises its products in such popular publications as...

Product authenticity has universal appeal.(Beauty Watch)
February 14, 2005... Newhall Laboratories Inc.'s La Bella brand has established a strong following not only among Hispanic consumers but among general market consumers as welt. In mass retail outlets nationwide La Bella items comprise about 40% of the total...

Lineup leaves users looking and feeling good.(Beauty Watch)
February 14, 2005... While establishing brisk sales in a variety of categories, La Bella's most successful product area is its styling gels. The Newhall Laboratories brand offers two separate lines of gel, including a 40-ounce line sold in tubs and geared to...

Three decades of growth, success.(Beauty Watch)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Newhall Laboratories had its inception nearly 30 years ago, when president Al Rodriguez warehoused the Golden Sun vitamin line in his garage and sold vitamins store by store, stocking the shelves himself. Since then Rodriguez built the...

Innovation pushes envelope further.(Beauty Watch)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... As part of its extensive product rollout this year Physicians Formula is extending its reach in two segments it knows well--bronzers and eye makeup. The company's newest launch in its line of bronzing products is Solar Powder SPF 20 face...

Emphasis is always on-first-of-their-kind products.(Beauty Watch)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... The emphasis Physicians Formula puts on bringing innovative and unique products to the cosmetics market is set to continue this year as 53 new items are launched. Among the new products added to the company's already extensive lineup will...

A problem/solution approach wins converts.(Beauty Watch)
February 14, 2005... Since executives at Physicians Formula Inc. opted to reposition their cosmetics line in the mid-1990s, the company has seen double-digit sales growth for the past seven years. Over that time Physicians Formula has become a market leader in...

Skin care reaches new heights via science and technology.(Beauty Watch)
February 14, 2005... Pretika Corp. has an exceptional business model for serving the needs of the retail industry. A global company focusing on developing and manufacturing nonprescription skin care and cosmeceutical formulations, Pretika offers skin care, spa...

Regimens bring the spa experience into the home.(Beauty Watch)
February 14, 2005... Pretika's plethora of products is finding favor with today's discerning health and beauty aids consumer. There is perhaps no better example of this than what the supplier is doing in regard to the emerging dermabrasion phenomenon in the...

Niche products change direction of category.(Beauty Watch)
February 14, 2005... Woodridge Labs Inc., its top executive says, is best described as "the most innovative company you've never heard of." What that means, president Joe Millin explains, is that while retailers and consumers may have no idea what Woodridge is,...

'We will raise the bar for retailers'.(Beauty Watch)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... When Joe Millin started Woodridge Labs six years ago he immediately knew what he had to do to ensure that the company flourished. "I recognized early that to be a success as a small company we had to bring incremental opportunities to our...

Bath Lounge collection touts from and function for on-the-go women.(Beauty Watch)
February 14, 2005... Because of their often-tumultuous lifestyles, women from coast to coast need a way to kick back and relax. For some that relief comes from a hot bath or shower. For others it is often derived from sitting in a comfortable chair sipping...

Clearly Canadian at Albertsons.(Consumables News)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Albertsons Inc. is stocking Clearly Canadian sparkling water in more than 300 stores in California and Nevada. The retailer is canting blackberry, cherry and strawberry melon flavors of the water from Clearly Canadian Beverage Corp. The...

Campbell to raise soup prices.(Consumables News)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Campbell Soup Co. is raising the price of selected soups and other products on February 28. The weighted average price increase for soups, sauces and beverages will he 4.8%. The increase is intended to partially offset cost increases in...

Unilever launches fin nationwide chilled meal line.(Consumables News)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Unilever Best Foods North America has introduced Country Crock Side Dishes, billing the brand as the first national chilled meal line. The fully prepared products are ready to heat and serve in five minutes. The side dishes are offered in four...

Just Born rolls out holiday items.(Consumables News)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Just Born Inc. has launched its iconic yellow Peeps marshmallow chick in a 3-ounce milk chocolate hollow egg for Easter. The company has also introduced a Marshmallow Peeps Easter decorating kit with purple, pink or yellow CakeMate decorating...

New Sweet Cred line combines candy and toys.(Consumables News)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Jel Sert Co. has become the exclusive United States distributor of the Sweet Cred line, combining candy and toys. The line includes Wrist Lickers hard candy encased in a plastic cover on a watch-like strap, Movables tubes of candy with such...

Ubiquity to extend snack lines.(Consumables News)(Ubiquity Brands)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Ubiquity Brands will extend three lines with 10 products this year. The company will introduce two new products under the Krunchers! label, four new crispy ridged Jays chips, two new basic Jays chips, a new flavor of Poppycock and a new flavor...

New guidelines change picture.(Consumables)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Low carbs have not been replaced by high living. While the low carbohydrate diet craze has fizzled, consumers remain focused on tempering their eating and drinking, say chain drug retailers and suppliers. Healthful snacks,...

Sugarless gum gets on health care bandwagon.(Consumables)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Categories benefiting from the national focus on healthful food includes gum--especially sugarless gum. With consumers seeking to both reduce their calorie intake and limit tooth decay, sales of such sugarless gum as Orbit from...

Beer grows its impact at drug chains.(Consumables)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Beer continues to play a significant role in the drug store merchandise mix, with sales approaching the billion-dollar mark. Volume of beer in drug stores last year was $972 million, according to Information Resources Inc., with...

Chocolate is back in limelight as healthful indulgence.(Consumables)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- One of the more surprising categories to benefit from the national focus on healthful food is chocolate. With studies showing that the antioxidant-rich food may improve blood flow, both chain drug retailers and suppliers are...

Survey pinpoints hot spots in consumables.(Consumables)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Food and beverages that support healthful diets, weight loss and on-the-go lifestyles are among the world's fastest-growing, according to a new global study from ACNielsen. Of the seven categories that experienced double-digit...

Drug chains should maximize magazines' potential.(magazines)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- It would be hard to find a better fit for the chain drug merchandise mix than magazines, according to publishers and retailers. "Their customers are our readers," Laura Klein, vice president and publisher of Woman's Day, says...

Glamour celebrates the achievements of women.(Magazines)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- A key chain drug supplier teamed up with Glamour magazine recently for a television broadcast targeted to millions of women. L'Oreal sponsored the premiere TV broadcast of "Glamour Magazine Women of the Year Awards," letting...

Rite Aid expands direct store delivery in three key markets.(Magazines)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Magazine distributor Source Interlink Cos. is looking to expand its business with Rite Aid Corp. after contracting with the drug chain last year to provide direct store delivery in the Los Angeles, San Francisco and Baltimore...

CACDS milestones.(Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... 1995 * The Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores (CACDS) is incorporated. * The group's first annual Executive Exchange Conference attracts more than 300 attendees. 1996 * CACDS responds to the Savings and Restructuring...

A year marked by growth, continued progress.(Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... TORONTO -- As it celebrates an impressive first decade, CACDS is not content to rest on its laurels. President and chief executive officer Christina Bisanz is proud that the association met all of its established goals for 2004....

Organization is touted for facilitating dialogue.(Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... TORONTO -- The supplier/ pharmacy chain interaction facilitated by CACDS ranks high in the estimation of supplier management members. Allan Oberman, president and chief executive officer of Novopharm Ltd. and currently co-chair of the CACDS...

Rising cost renews debate about Medicare drug benefit.
February 28, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Increased cost estimates for the Medicare drug benefit have renewed the focus on the policy, prompting President Bush to threaten a veto of any substantial changes to the program. Debate over the benefit intensified this month...

GM excludes Walgreens from plan.(General Motors Corp.)
February 28, 2005... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- General Motors Corp. (GM) has taken what many see as a preemptive stake against Walgreen Co. by dropping the drug chain from its list of approved prescription providers. In telling its 1.1 million employees, retirees and...

SDM revisits, updates its Rx operation.(prescription (Rx))
February 28, 2005... TORONTO -- "It was a challenge," says Virginia Cirocco, senior vice president of pharmacy at Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM), "to combine in one pharmacy design operational efficiency and an atmosphere that allows professionals to concentrate on their...

FDA board to monitor approved drugs' safety.(Food and Drug Administration)(Drug Safety Oversight Board)
February 28, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Responding to criticism that it has been too slow to react to reports linking some pain remedies to increased risks of heart attack and stroke, the Food and Drug Administration earlier this month announced that it will establish...

Coutu puts excitement back in Eckerd stores.(Francois Coutu)
February 28, 2005... TORONTO -- Jean Coutu Group president and chief executive officer Francois Coutu recently provided investors a detailed look at how the company was integrating more than 1,500 former Eckerd Corp. stores into its Brooks Pharmacy chain. ...

Crawford finally gets nod at FDA.(Lester Crawford appointed)(Food and Drug Administration)
February 28, 2005... WASHINGTON -- President Bush has nominated Lester Crawford to be commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. His appointment, if approved by the Senate, would fill an almost year-old vacancy and comes at a time when the agency is...

DR Express pharmacy kiosk debuts.(Duane Reade Inc)(Brief Article)
February 28, 2005... NEW YORK -- Duane Reade Inc. has broken new ground in chain drug retailing with the DR Express pharmacy kiosk. The kiosk's touch-screen/monitor links patients to a pharmacist so they may order new prescriptions or refills, or receive...

New CVS pilot program targets unused medicine.(Brief Article)
February 28, 2005... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Corp. is pleased with the success of its first collection and disposal program for unused medicine. The pharmacy retailer sponsored the service earlier this month at a store in South Portland, Me., where it disposed 50...

Sears tests waters in community pharmacy.(Sears, Roebuck and Co.)(Brief Article)
February 28, 2005... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- In a move that underlines the attractiveness of the retail pharmacy business, Sears, Roebuck & Co. plans to include prescription drug departments in a new format called Sears Essentials, which is slated to debut this...

Zyra joins CDC as Rx director.(Felix Zyra appointed)(Chain Drug Consortium LLC)(Brief Article)
February 28, 2005... BOCA RATON, Fla. -- The Chain Drug Consortium LLC (CDC) has appointed Felix Zyra director of pharmacy purchasing and professional services. He will be responsible for all pharmacy purchasing, systems and third-party contracts for the...

Disney readies Bambi, Tarzan II.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
February 28, 2005... BURBANK, Calif. -- Walt Disney Home Entertainment is poised to launch the classic children's film Bambi on DVD in a two-disc special edition. The enhanced DVD features state-of-the-art sound in an extensively remixed sound track, while the...

Playtex sets objectives to hone focus.(Playtex Products Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 28, 2005... WESTPORT, Conn. -- Playtex Products Inc. is realigning its business in an effort to improve the company's focus on its core categories. Other goals are to reduce organizational complexity and to obtain a more competitive cost structure as well...

Unilever 'de-layers' top management team.(Supplier News)
February 28, 2005... AMSTERDAM -- Following a disappointing fourth quarter, Unilever has announced plans to scrap its co-chief executive structure and to streamline operations. Patrick Cescau will remain chief executive, while Antony Burgmans will move to the...

Panasonic debuts intros, packaging.(Supplier News)
February 28, 2005... SECAUCUS, N.J. -- The Panasonic Battery Group is unveiling new global packaging as well as AA and AAA batteries with a new technology for digital applications. The packaging supports Panasonic's "Ideas for Life" brand strategy and creates...

Rayovac adopts Spectrum name.(renaming)(Spectrum Brands Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 28, 2005... ATLANTA -- Rayovac Corp. plans to change its name to Spectrum Brands Inc. The transition, pending shareholder approval, will be made in late April. Executives say the new name better reflects the supplier's strategy of expanding its...

Two executives added to Retail Solutions team.(appointments)(Brief Article)
February 28, 2005... LINCOLN, R.I. -- Demand data management company Retail Solutions Inc. has expanded its executive management team with the appointments of Christopher Burns to the position of vice president of finance and Cynthia Dunn as vice president of...