Drug Store News articles from April 2003

Drug Store News archives from April 2003

Rite Aid eyes teens with Glam Camp. (News).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid is targeting teens with the April 1 launch of "Glam Camp," an in-store display housing select beauty and health products, in 3,400 of Rite Aid's largest stores. The promotion, which will run through the end of the...

Walgreens taps new consumables exec. (News).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreens has named Arnie Silver general merchandise manager for the consumables categories, replacing Erik Prascek. The change became effective March 21. Silver formerly served Walgreens as divisional merchandise manager...

Kmart optimistic despite wider loss. (News).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... TROY, Mich. -- Despite losses of $3.22 billion and a steep, 10.1 percent drop in same-store sales in fiscal 2002, Kmart Corp. remains optimistic about its plan to emerge from bankruptcy by the end of April. "The emergence date is April 30...

Supermarket pharmacies capture 'best customers'. (Cover Story).
April 7, 2003... In-store pharmacies tend to have a halo effect for supermarkets, driving more traffic--and a more loyal customer base--into the stores, a trio of supermarket pharmacy executives told Drug Store News. "Pharmacies are the cornerstone of the...

Walgreens steers solid course in weak economy.
April 7, 2003... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Responding to Walgreens' strong second-quarter results, Wall Street analysts remained upbeat about the company--despite the fact that a combination of factors had caused the chain to ever so slightly scale back its new store...

Canadian reimportation battle rages on.
April 7, 2003... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- On March 21, the Food and Drug Administration, in conjunction with e Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy, took its first steps in fighting a pharmaceutical invasion from the north. The FDA faxed and overnighted a cease and desist...

Duane Reade puts new face on urban stores. (News).
April 7, 2003... NEW YORK -- Duane Reade may have pulled back the reins on store growth, but the metro New York drug chain is moving full steam ahead with store relocations. Among Duane Reade's latest relocation is its new store, which opened March 21. The...

Albertson's adds stores, posts 4Q. (News).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... BOISE, Idaho -- In a March 19 conference call, Albertson's chief executive officer Larry Johnston said the chain's new Albertson's-Osco stores in Phoenix paid quick dividends in the fourth quarter with strong pharmacy sales. "In the Phoenix...

Phar-Mor sets liquidation plan. (News).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Now that Phar-Mor's liquidation plan has been approved, creditors will be receiving payments of at least 7 percent of what they are owed within the next several weeks. However, it still is not clear exactly how much in...

Kmart's latest staff cutbacks snare top pharmacy executive. (News).(Larry Hruska let go)
April 7, 2003... TROY, Mich. -- Larry Hruska, Kmart Corp.'s vice president of pharmacy, was let go from the company 'in the midst of another round of sweeping staff cutbacks and store closings as the discount store giant works to complete a reorganization plan...

Giant to open fourth diabetes center. (Supermarket Aisle).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... LANDOVER, Md. -- Giant Food is preparing to open its fourth diabetes care center in Wilmington, Del., in the fourth quarter of this year. Giant also is evaluating additional locations, a company source said. Giant Food, which opened its...

Ahold plans 60-store U.S. expansion. (Supermarket Aisle).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... AMSTERDAM -- Now that Ahold's creditors have approved the company's capital expenditure plan, company spokesman Barry Scher said Ahold will move ahead with the opening of some 60 new and/or relocated U.S. supermarkets this year Ahold, the...

Fleming looks for alternative financing. (Supermarket Aisle).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... DALLAS -- Fleming Cos., under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for possible accounting irregularities and struggling to raise money to reduce its debt, has announced that it is talking to its vendors about "near-term...

Food Basics tests dollar store format. (Supermarket Aisle).(Great Atlantic & Pacific Co.)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... MONTVALE, N.J. -- The Great Atlantic & Pacific Co. is testing a 400-square-foot "Everything For 98 cents" dollar store-style section in its North Bergen, N.J.-based Food & Drug Basics store. The chain, which is in the process of rolling out...

CHPA optimistic about OTC future. (News).(Consumer Healthcare Products Association)
April 7, 2003... AVENTURA, Fla. -- Some 350 executives converged last month in the Tumberry Isle Resort & Club here for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association's Annual Executive Conference. While it rained the Saturday morning of Prevention magazine's...

American Greetings. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... CLEVELAND -- American Greetings has announced that after 28 years with the company, Bill Parsons, vice p resident of the c[rug channel business, will retire May 1. Parsons joined the company in 1975 as a sales representative and held a...

Longs Drug Stores. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Longs Drug Stores has appointed Michael Laddon senior vice president and chief information officer. Previously, he served as executive vice president of sales for Brix Software. William Rainey has been named senior vice...

Spartan Stores. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Spartan Stores has named Dennis Eidson executive vice president of marketing and merchandising. He previously served as divisional president and chief executive officer of A&P's Midwest region.

Jean Coutu Group. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... LONGUEUIL, Quebec - The board of directors of the Jean Coutu Group announced the resignation of board vice resident Jacques Masse, who as sat on the board since 1975. Succeeding Masse is Lise Bastarache as a company director. Bastarache is...

Winn-Dixie Stores. (People in the News).(hires Mark Matta as senior vice president of human resources)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Winn-Dixie Stores has named Mark Matta senior vice president of human resources. Matta's professional experience includes working for PepsiCo/Frito-Lay as employee relations manager of Frito-Lay.

CDMA. (People in the News).(hires Bruce Kneeland as marketing, communications consultant)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... NOVI, Mich. - CDMA has retained former Amerisource Bergen executive Bruce Kneeland as a marketing and communications consultant. He will develop new ways to expand member communications and public relations activities.

Correction.(Correction Notice)
April 7, 2003... In the March 24, 2003, issue of Drug Store News in the story "ChainDrugStore.net champions role of pharmacy," Mike Hylander, director of trade relations for Integrity Pharmaceuticals, was identified incorrectly as Mike Highlander.

State's pricing suit targets Rx makers. (Pharmacy Watch).(Connecticut files suit against seven pharmaceutical companies)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... HARTFORD, Conn. -- The Connecticut attorney general's office last month filed suit against seven major pharmaceutical manufacturers for allegedly inflating drug costs incurred by the Department of Social Services and Connecticut consumers who...

Pediatric drug testing bill introduced. (Pharmacy Watch).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... WASHINGTON -- A bill that would mandate the pediatric testing of drugs that are being prescribed for children is making its way through the U.S. Senate, following the defeat in court of a similar regulation last fall. The bill, which has...

APhA creates new federal award. (Pharmacy Watch).(American Pharmacists Association)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... WASHINGTON -- The American Pharmacists Association, formerly known as the American Pharmaceutical Association, has set up a new award program to honor pharmacists working in government. The APhA Distinguished Federal Pharmacist Award will...

PBM trade group names new chief. (Pharmacy Watch).(Pharmaceutical Care Management Association hires Mark Merritt)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association has tapped veteran health care lobbyist Mark Merritt as president and chief executive officer. The group called the move a bid to "heighten the visibility of the pharmaceutical...

Suit alleges PBMs inflated prices. (Pharmacy News).(American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees sues four pharmacy benefit management firms)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... LOS ANGELES - The nation's four largest pharmacy benefit management firms have been charged with inflating prescription drug prices in a lawsuit file here by the nation s largest union representing public workers. The suit, filed by the...

Senate again eyes pharmacist shortage. (Pharmacy News).(Sen. Jack Reed introduces Pharmacy Education Aid Act of 2003)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... WASHINGTON -- The growing costs of war in Iraq and an uncertain economic outlook may cloud its prospects, but legislation to help relieve the critical shortage of pharmacists in the United States reappeared in the Senate March 18. The...

Pfizer joins Pharmacy Care Alliance. (Pharmacy News).
April 7, 2003... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Pfizer has teamed up with the Pharmacy Care Alliance to promote its Pfizer for Living Share Card, a prescription benefit program for low-income seniors. The pharmaceutical giant's decision to join the year-old coalition...

Wal-Mart continues to redefine retailing. (Opinion).
April 7, 2003... Throughout its history, the strategy, culture and message of Wal-Mart's executives always have been characterized by simple, but clever quotes that somehow not only evolve to characterize the company, but to some extent redefine the retailing...

Now everybody is trying to get into the act. (Opinion).(Column)
April 7, 2003... This whole Canadian drug reimportation situation brings to light a much larger, more far-reaching issue. Namely, there are a lot of people out there eyeing up a piece of that growing prescription drug pie you hear so many drug chain executives...

Marketplace enhances retailer/supplier relationships. (Guest Column).(National Association of Chain Drug Stores vice president of member programs Fitz Elder is interviewed)(Interview)(Column)
April 7, 2003... Industry representatives are fine-tuning their strategies and perfecting their pitches in preparation for 2003's Marketplace Conference, Drug Store News spoke with Fitz Elder, vice president of member programs at the National Association of...

Women's Health Initiative. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Combination hormone therapy does not improve quality of life for postmenopausal women, according to the Women's Health Initiative study in the March 17 online edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. The study will be published in the...

Bayer. (Branded News).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... A Corpus Christi, Texas, jury found Bayer not liable in the first Baycol trial to reach a verdict. The Texas Baycol case is the first of about 8,400 to go to trial. So far, Bayer has paid out approximately $150 million to settle some 500...

Bristol-Myers Squibb. (Branded News).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Bristol-Myers Squibb struck a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission last month over claims that it illegally had kept generic competition of its anti-anxiety drug BuSpar and cancer drugs Taxol and Platinol off the market. According to...

Novartis. (Branded News).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Novartis plans to acquire Pfizer's experimental incontinence drug, Enablex, for $225 million, the company confirmed last month. Pfizer is divesting the product to comply with requirements of the FTC and European Commission surrounding its...

Bayer Healthcare and GlaxoSmithKline. (Branded News).(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Bayer Healthcare and GlaxoSmithKline have received marketing authorization from the European Commission for Levitra, a new oral PDE-5 inhibitor for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction. The drug also has been submitted for approval to...

FDA proposes prescription bar codes in new patient-safety campaign. (Chain Pharmacy).
April 7, 2003... WASHINGTON -- With an estimated 7,000 or more patients killed every year through medication errors, the Food and Drug Administration has proposed sweeping new rules to enhance patient safety by requiring drug manufacturers to apply bar codes to...

Anti-smoking effort in Washington includes prescribing by pharmacists. (Chain Pharmacy).(program to help smokers quit)
April 7, 2003... RENTON, Wash. -- Chain and independent pharmacists and two pharmacy associations have teamed up with Washington state health officials to launch a new and innovative collaboration aimed at helping the state's 1.2 million smokers quit. The...

Drugstore.com. (Retailer News).(partnerships with PetCareRx and 1-800-Wheelchair.com)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Drugstore.com last month announced a pair of new partnerships with 1-800-Wheelchair.com and PetCareRx. 1-800-Wheelchair.com provides a full range of home health care products, including wheelchairs, lift chairs, scooters, walkers, daily...

Bausch & Lomb. (Supplier News).(advertising campaign)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Bausch & Lomb last month launched the most ambitious television advertising campaign in its 150-year history. The company initially plans to invest $20 million in the new campaign, "Perfecting Vision. Enhancing Life," which debuts with two TV...

Bayer HealthCare. (Supplier News).(gets FDA approval for Ascensia Breeze blood glucose monitor for diabetics, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Bayer HealthCare's diagnostics division last month announced Food and Drug Administration clearance for Ascensia Breeze, the company's newest blood glucose monitor and the first item to debut under its new Ascensia brand of diabetes care...

Pharmavite's Nature Made. (Supplier News).(workout video promotion with Artisan Home Entertainment)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Pharmavite's Nature Made division is partnering with Artisan Home Entertainment to develop an exclusive 20-minute "Wellness Workout" video from Nature Made celebrity spokeswoman Denise Austin. The video will be bundled with Nature Made vitamin...

NBTY. (Supplier News).(discontinues ephedra products, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... In the wake of news that ephedra played d a role in the death of Major League Baseball player Steve Bechler--according to the Broward County medical examiner's official report--dietary supplement maker NBTY announced it has stopped selling...

Advanced Vision Research. (Supplier News).(introduces 2 products for dry eyes, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Advanced Vision Research has introduced TheraTears Liquid Gel, a preservative-free, electrolyte-balanced lubricant eye gel for nighttime use, and TheraTears Nutrition for Dry Eyes, a vitamin E-fortified supplement containing enriched flaxseed...

Cirrus Healthcare. (Supplier News).(launches Endit smoking substitute product, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Cirrus Healthcare last month started shipping its smoking substitute product, Endit, designed to help smokers get past nicotine cravings. The plastic, mock cigarette uses a mixture of tobacco flavoring, vanilla and tea to appease smokers'...

GMPs could boost OTC credibility, but do proposals go far enough? (OTC/Natural Health).(proposed new Good Manufacturing Practices for the manufacture of dietary supplements)
April 7, 2003... The Food and Drug Administration last month officially proposed new Good Manufacturing Practices for the manufacture of dietary supplements. It is an idea the FDA has kicked around for the past couple of years, since a coalition of manufacturer...

A good night's sleep. (What's Hot).(drug store sales of sleep aids growing rapidly, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... War overseas, terrorist threats at home, a lagging economy and a tight labormarket are more than enough to keep a person up at night. Perhaps that's why drug store retailers are counting dollar signs as sheep-counting customers seek remedies to...

Rite Aid. (Retailer News).(launches private-label Brush-On Whitening Liquid Gel, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Rite Aid kicked off the whitening segment's next cycle of innovation last month by being the first retailer to launch a private label brush-on whitening product called Brush-On Whitening Liquid Gel. The drug chain teamed u p with private label...

Procter & Gamble. (Supplier News).(buys controlling interest in Wella AG, Germany)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... In a move intended to volumize its hair care business, Procter & Gamble agreed last month to purchase a controlling interest from the majority shareholders of German beauty company Wella AG. Together, Clairol, which P&G acquired in 2001, and...

Stri-Dex. (Supplier News).(to launch Fruit Therapy scented antiacne cream, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... This summer, Stri-Dex will attempt to win over teenagers' noses and dollars with the sweet scent of Fruit Therapy, a new acne-fighting cream formula infused with fruit extracts and vitamins. Piggybacking on the current trend of fruit extracts...

Revlon. (Supplier News).(adds 2 new hair relaxer formulas for Hispanic women, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... For the first time, the Revlon Realistic line of relaxer systems now includes two new formulas especially formulated for Hispanic women. The new formulas--featuring a Hispanic model on the package, another first for the Realistic line--are...

Progressive Beauty Brands. (Supplier News).(adds new hair styling products, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Progressive Beauty Brands has added three new styling products to its Phat Hair hair care line. This month, curl activating Phro Spray, Phlat Out straightening balm and Phro curl balm will join the seven-SKU line of funky hair care products,...

Boomer babies spark echo boom in kids' personal care category. (Beauty Care).(drug stores rebuilding the category, US)
April 7, 2003... After years of maintenance mode, drug stores once again are playing around with beefing up children's personal care. The channel pared back its children's assortment after stellar growth in the early 1980s slowed, relying mainly on larger...

Cold economy warms lipstick sales. (What's Hot).(US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... The beleaguered economy has educated consumers on the art of frugality. And while many shoppers have axed discretionary items from their budgets, lipstick remains one of the affordable luxuries women won't live without. In fact, when times...

Wal-Mart. (Retailer News).(sells Microtel family-friendly personal computer on its Web site, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Wal-Mart has become the first retailer to begin selling a family-friendly personal computer on its Web site, www.walmart.com. The computer--made by Microtel and featuring an operating system developed by Lindows.com--includes features...

Prestone Products. (Supplier News).(launches Protection Series of car care products, including wash, wax and wheel cleaner, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Prestone Products is launching Protection Series, a new four-SKU collection of premium products that provide enhanced protection for vehicle exteriors. The collection includes a clear-coat car wash, a pure synthetic carnauba wax, a tire...

Inkworks. (Supplier News).(launches Scooby-Doo trading cards, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Inkworks currently is shipping a new collection of Scooby-Doo "Mystery and Monster" trading cards. The collection includes 72 cards featuring images of monsters and Scooby-Doo characters, as well as episode summaries and behind-the-scenes...

Duracell. (Supplier News).(plans to launch battery for portable digital audio devices, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Duracell later this year plans to launch Duracell LP1, a new battery designed specifically for use in portable digital audio devices, such as MP3, portable CD and Mini Disc players. With a flat profile, Duracell LP1 was designed to meet the...

Madacy Kids. (Supplier News).(launches new kids' audio, video and DVD products under licensing agreement with Binney & Smith, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Madacy Kids, a manufacturer of children's audio, video and DVD products, next month will begin launching a new series marketed under the Crayola brand name through a licensing agreement with Binney & Smith. The first new item, a Crayola...

Better mix, promos give drug a bigger piece of stationery sales. (General Merchandise).
April 7, 2003... As the economy remains uncertain, value continues to be a key driver of sales in basic general merchandise categories like stationery--especially for drug chains, which have seized the opportunity to become more promotional in the segment. ...

Battery-operated power tools. (What's Hot).(Igo Home Products sells its household tools in drug stores, creating new category, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Value-priced, battery-operated power tools are beginning to emerge from the housewares business, landing on the shelves of drug stores, where they provide chains higher-ticket, higher-margin, more impulse-driven alternatives to more...

Dr Pepper/7UP. (Supplier News).(launches Raging Cow milk-based beverage, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Dr Pepper/7UP last month introduced Raging Cow, a new single-serve, milk-based beverage. Positioned toward a hip, young adult consumer, Raging Cow comes in pina colada chaos, jamocha frenzy, berry mixed up, chocolate caramel craze and chocolate...

Hershey. (Supplier News).(plans to launch 4 new sugar-free candies under Reese's and Hersey's brands, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Hershey's plans to roll out four new sugar-free candies under its Hershey's and Reese's brands. The new sugar-free items include Reese's Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures, Hershey's Sugar Free Dark Chocolate, Hershey's Sugar Free...

Poore Bros. (Supplier News).(plans new Crunch Toons salty snacks for kids, under licensing agreement with Warner Bros., US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Snack food maker Poore Bros. this summer plans to introduce a new brand of salty snacks for kids called Crunch Toons, which are shaped like characters from Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes cartoons. Initial rollout is timed for June and will...

CandyRific. (Supplier News).(launches 3 interactive candy items, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... CandyRific has introduced three new interactive candy items. Freaky Finger Pops combine colorful, scary novelty fingers with a Chupa Chup lollipop in five designs. Cool Pop combines a miniature, battery-operated persona fan with a Chupa pop....

Zone Brands. (Supplier News).(adds Wonder Woman Black Cherry Blast juice drink to its Bellywashers line under licensing agreement with DC Comics, US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Zone Brands has added a new character to its BellyWashers line of kids' juice drinks, packaged in collectible bottles. The newest addition, Wonder Woman--the product of a partnership with DC Comics--joins Batman and Superman in the BellyWashers...

General Accounting Office. (Industry News).(study says government cannot ensure food-processing plant security)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... According to a March 18 General Accounting Office report, the country's food supply could be vulnerable to attack partly because the government cannot ensure the security of the nation's food-processing plants. The GAO noted that the U.S....

New products with staying power are packing drug's beverage aisle. (Consumables).
April 7, 2003... In a segment that is as promotional as soft drinks have become for drug stores, it's nice to have something new to promote--and retailers have had some major opportunities lately as major bottlers have stepped up with several new brands and...

Growth favors new drink flavors. (What's Hot).(new soft drink flavors gain sales)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... While traditional brands, particularly diet colas, continue to drive the bulk of the carbonated soft drink business in drug stores, the newer entries from the likes of the big three--Coke, Pepsi and Dr Pep pert 7UP--have been behind much of the...

Charge dropped against Rite Aid. (News).(one charge dismissed against three former Rite Aid defendants in allegedly fraudulent wire transfers case)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... SCRANTON, Pa.--U.S. Middle District Judge Sylvia Rambo dismissed one charge against three former Rite Aid defendants last week, claiming that the government could not prove its claim. The government charged former Rite Aid chairman and...

GSK clears supply ban charges. (News).(GlaxoSmithKline ban of shipping its medicines from Canada to the US)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Canada's Competition Bureau cleared GlaxoSmithKline of any corporate wrongdoing a supply ban on that ship its medicines to U.S.-based consumers. The bureau was investigating GSK for possible violations of the Canadian Competition Act pertaining...

What is marketplace? your best trade show investment.(The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Marketplace Conference)
April 7, 2003... The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Marketplace Conference is the trade show of all trade shows -- literally the largest and most powerful convergence of drug, food, mass, club, and value retailing in the United States. It is...

Bayer, GSK reach settlement deal. (News).(GlaxoSmithKline; Medicaid fraud settlement)(Brief Article)
April 28, 2003... PITTSBURGH -- Bayer reached a $257.2 million settlement earlier this month with the U.S. Department of Justice on the same day GlaxoSmithKline agreed to pay $87.6 million to resolve the government's charge the two companies fraudulently...

Eckerd plans to open first Manhattan site. (News).(Brief Article)
April 28, 2003... NEW YORK -- Eckerd confirmed that it has signed a 10-year lease agreement that will bring the drug chain to downtown New York City. The deal would result in the company's first-ever store under its own banner in Manhattan. Eckerd still...

Snyder's caps Drug Emporium integration in first hybrid store.(Snyder's Drug Stores/Drug Emporium unveiled a new hybrid store prototype )
April 28, 2003... BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- In a boldly conceived blend of its traditional drug store and discount store formats, Snyder's Drug Stores/Drug Emporium unveiled a new hybrid store prototype here that offers its hometown customers more selection and...

HIPAA, Medicare top talks at annual FMI Rx conference.(Food Marketing Institute's 2003 Supermarket Pharmacy Conference )
April 28, 2003... PALM SPRINGS, Calif -- In what could be its last forum as a completely separate event, the Food Marketing Institute's 2003 Supermarket Pharmacy Conference drew more than 300 attendees to this desert resort town in mid-April. Next year, FMI will...

Pharmaca bets double on growth.
April 28, 2003... BOULDER, Cob. -- In the two years since first opening, Pharmaca has doubled its initial store base and more than doubled its annual intake, trading in on its position as an integrated pharmacy. By the end of this year, Pharmaca executives...

Rite Aid stays turnaround course with modest gains. (News).(fiscal 2002 earnings)
April 28, 2003... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- A solid performance in fiscal 2002, a pair of debt-reducing initiatives and a new chief executive officer announced earlier this month reaffirm Rite Aid's continued turnaround and commitment to the future. Although Rite...

Costco hones image as pharmacy destination. (News).
April 28, 2003... Analysts have tracked closely the huge impact Costco has had on the grocery industry in recent years, but have paid scant attention to the chain's pharmacy operations. As the chain continues its relentless growth, it's moved quietly into the...

LIU honors Wal-Mart's Coughlin for activism. (News).(Long Island University recognize Tom Coughlin, president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores and Sam's Club USA for his support of education)(Brief Article)
April 28, 2003... NEW YORK -- Long Island University and members of the retail industry gathered together at a fundraising dinner hosted in New York City April 15 to recognize Tom Coughlin, president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores and Sam's Club...

Jean Coutu reports solid third quarter gains. (News).
April 28, 2003... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- Both the American and Canadian divisions of the Jean Coutu Group enjoyed strong revenue growth for the third quarter ended Feb. 28. However, an increase in the sales of generics slowed the rate of pharmacy same-store...

Kinney to launch loyalty card program. (Regional Report).(Kinney Drugs)(Brief Article)
April 28, 2003... GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. -- Kinney Drugs will launch a customer loyalty program this summer, possibly as early as May. Cardholders will be entitled to special purchasing incentives such as 50 percent off on Kinney's extensive collection of private...

Aurora set to open 37 new locations. (Regional Report).(Aurora Pharmacy)(Brief Article)
April 28, 2003... WAUWATOSA, Wisc. -- Aurora Pharmacy, currently with 127 units, plans to open approximately 37 new pharmacies this year. Most of the new pharmacies will be in food store locations, according to Jim Moore, Aurora Pharmacy president. In...