Drug Store News articles from February 2005

Drug Store News archives from February 2005

PBMs voice dismay on disclosure ruling.(prescription benefit managers)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... BANGOR, Maine -- Asserting that prescription benefit managers "introduce a layer of fog to the market that prevents benefits providers from fully understanding how best to minimize their net prescription drug costs," a U.S. District Court judge...

Carrefour execs leave positions.(News)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... PARIS -- Amid a board shake-up, French retailer Carrefour announced earlier this month the resignation of Daniel Bernard, chairman and chief executive officer, and Joel Saveuse, chief operating officer for Europe. As a result, Joss Luis...

Medicaid crisis ...(pharmacy retailers faces reimbursement cuts)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The costs of providing Medicaid benefits to low-income patients are becoming "truly unsustainable," a new report warns. And pharmacy retailers likely will face more reimbursement cuts as states scramble to cut Medicaid costs.

The softer side of technology: Best Buy finds new life in health-tech hybrid.
February 14, 2005... RICHFIELD, Minn. -- When news of Best Buy's newest retail concept store called eq life, which seeks to marry health care and wellness with technology and electronics, broke last fall, it raised many questions--not the least of which was: Why...

Medicare drug coverage rules pose both threat and opportunity.(prescription benefit managers)
February 14, 2005... NAPLES, Fla. -- At least some of the uncertainty is over. Preferring the devil they know to the one they don t, retail-pharmacy advocates greeted the release of the Bush administration's final rules governing Medicare Part D drug coverage with...

E-prescribing countdown begins.(chain pharmacy)
February 14, 2005... WASHINGTON -- In a move that may have historic consequences for pharmacy and all of health care, the Department of Health and Human Services last month unveiled its proposed regulations for the nationwide development of a Medicare-based...

ShopKo goes live with drug store format launch.(News)
February 14, 2005... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- ShopKo Store's drug store effort debuted Jan. 15 with three ShopKo Express Rx units opening in in Ledgeview, Howard and Port Washington, Wis. And while the format features an expanded selection of front-store products, thanks...

CVS' Eckerd integration, 4Q sales prove a seamless transition.(News)
February 14, 2005... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- Amid the posting of double-digit sales and earnings growth for the fourth quarter, CVS stated that it has made "considerable progress" on the Eckerd integration and confirmed that it remains on track to complete all Eckerd...

Staff reductions, store remodels mark Jean Coutu 2Q action.(News)
February 14, 2005... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- For the Jean Coutu Group, parent company of Brooks Pharmacy, the second quarter was a transitional period composed of realignments, reorganizations and staff reductions that enabled the retailer to keep the Eckerd...

Family Caregiver Expo names exclusive media partner.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Washington-area ABC affiliate WJLA-TV has agreed to serve as the official media partner for the Family Caregiver Expo, cosponsored by Drug Store News, in partnership with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. WJLA will...

Costco prescription sales soar.(News)
February 14, 2005... BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Costco reported another record year in pharmacy sales at its annual shareholders meeting here Jan. 27 and announced plans to open 23 to 25 new stores during 2005. Costco Chief Executive Officer Jim Sinegal told investors...

Walgreens targets rising costs but maintains bold growth plan.(News)
February 14, 2005... CHICAGO -- Neither mail order pharmacy competition nor rising operating expenses have dulled Walgreen Co.'s legendary appetite for growth, company leaders told some 2,000 shareholders, employees and guests at the retailer's annual meeting here...

More companies putting health care in consumers' hands, survey says.(consumer-driven health plan)(health spending accounts)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. -- Approximately 73 percent of all employers are at least considering a consumer-driven health plan coupled with a higher deductible to help control health care premiums, according to a recent survey from Hewitt Associates, a...

Technology encourages FSA use.(Consumer-Directed Health Plan)(flexible spending accounts)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... WALTHAM, Mass. -- One of the key enablers that will help drive consumers toward the utilization of consumer-empowered health plans is the ease of use afforded by technology. After all, account-based consumer-driven health plans have been...

P&G, Gillette deal reshapes PBC.(Supplier News)
February 14, 2005... CINCINNATI -- Assuming it meets trade regulators' muster, Procter & Gamble's $57 billion acquisition of Gillette will create a consumer products powerhouse with more than $60 billion in annual sales and a portfolio of 21 billion-dollar brands,...

DLI takes Del to private sector.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- It's official. Del Laboratories, once a publicly traded company, is now a wholly owned subsidiary of DLI Holding II Corp., an affiliate of New York-based private equity firm Kelso & Co. The $480 million deal closed Jan. 27....

Flu shot surplus may be too little, too late.
February 14, 2005... ATLANTA -- With the needle measuring the nation's stockpile of influenza vaccine moving from shortage to surplus as approximately 4.4 million vaccine doses suddenly became available late last month, the Centers for Disease Control and...

CDMA discount card offers new way to boost sales.(News)(Chain Drug Marketing Association)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... NOVI, Mich. -- Thanks to a partnership between the Chain Drug Marketing Association and Optimum Healthcard, CDMA members have yet one more way to build sales, enhance margins and bolster customer loyalty. Under a new health care benefits...

Zlotnik named interim chairman.(Gerald Zlotnik appointed for Chain Drug Marketing Association)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... NOVI, Mich. -- The Chain Drug Marketing Association has tapped Medic Drug's Gerald Zlotnik to fill the post of interim chairman. At Cleveland-based Medic, Zlotnik is executive vice president and director of purchasing. Howard Dall, former...

Ritzman implements staff OTC sales incentive plan.(News)(Ritzman Natural Health Pharmacies, over the counter sales)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... WADSWORTH, Ohio -- Regional operator Ritzman Pharmacies is hoping to drive front-end sales through a suggestive-sell program in which it educates its nonpharmacy sales staff and gives them incentive to engage and advise consumers. Instead...

Meijer.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Meijer, a general merchandise retailer with 163 locations in five states, announced late last month a string of executive promotions, including the appointment of Tim Lesneski to group vice president of hardlines and drug...

The J Joyner Group.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... DALLAS -- Jeffrey Joyner has left his post as president and chief operating officer of ECRM to launch a consulting business called The J Joyner Group. Before joining ECRM, Joyner spent 15 years with Eckerd, most recently as vice president of...

Supervalu.(People In The News)(Rich Juliano )(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu has named former Snyder's Drug Stores executive Rich Juliano vice president of general merchandise and health and beauty care in Supervalu's National Retail Merchandising Organization. Previously, Juliano served as...

Wegmans Food Markets.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Wegmans Food Markets, ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine's 2005 list of the 100 best companies to work for, announced last month that chairman Robert Wegman has handed the chief executive officer role to his son Danny Wegman,...

Stater Bros. Supermarkets.(People In The News)(Jack Brown)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... COLTON, Calif. -- The Food Marketing Institute has awarded Jack Brown, chairman and chief executive officer of Stater Bros. Supermarkets, the 2005 Sidney R. Rabb Award. The award is the supermarket industry's highest, recognizing...

Food and Drug Administration.(People In The News)(Kathy Heuer)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Acting Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Lester Crawford has appointed Kathy Heuer as its new chief financial officer and associate commissioner for management. Most recently, Heuer was deputy assistant secretary for...

Publix Super Markets.(People In The News)(Mike Smith )(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... LAKELAND, Fla. -- Publix Super Markets has promoted Mike Smith to vice president of manufacturing, effective July 1. Smith will assume the duties of Scott Charlton, who recently was named senior vice president of manufacturing and distribution....

U.S. Pharmacopeia.(People In The News)(Keith Conerly)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The U.S. Pharmacopeia has named Dow Chemical Co. veteran Keith Conerly director of quality assurance. Conerly will help direct and maintain quality assurance programs, certifications and other activities.

Medicine Shoppe International.(People In The News)(Greg Johansen )(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... ST. LOUIS -- Medicine Shoppe International has appointed Greg Johansen senior vice president of pharmacy services. He will oversee pharmacy operations for both franchise pharmacy chains under the MSI umbrella: Medicine Shoppe Pharmacies and...

Abkit.(People In The News)(Christopher Lindstrom appointed)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Abkit, a national marketer of branded phytomedicines and nutritional supplements, has named Christopher Lindstrom director of marketing. Lindstrom brings to Abkit natural products industry and national advertising experience.

Wegmans donates $5m for new Rx school.(Supermarket Aisle)(Robert B. Wegman)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Robert B. Wegman, chairman of Wegmans Food Markets, has donated $5 million to be used for the creation of the Wegmans School of Pharmacy at St. John Fisher College, marking the largest donation in the college's history. ...

Piggly Wiggly expands Pay By Touch program.(Supermarket Aisle)(Piggly Wiggly Carolina Company Inc uses Touch technology)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- After a successful test run, Piggly Wiggly will roll out its new Pay By Touch technology to all of its 120 locations in South Carolina and southeast Georgia by May. Since July 2004, the Pay By Touch program has enabled...

PrairieStone opens latest pharmacy.(Supermarket Aisle)(Prairie-Stone Pharmacy)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... MINNEAPOLIS -- Prairie-Stone Pharmacy is one step closer to its goal of operating pharmacy locations in all 20 Byerly's and Lunds grocers throughout the greater Twin Cities area by fall 2005, as it celebrated Feb. 7 the opening of its 11th unit...

All Fred Meyer stores offering Rewards Card.(Supermarket Aisle)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... PORTLAND, Ore. -- Fred Meyer, which is owned by Kroger Co., has rolled out its new Rewards Card in its Oregon and western Washington stores, making the card available in all Fred Meyer markets. Unlike many cards, the Rewards Card is not...

Ahold completes sale of Bi-Lo, Bruno's.(Supermarket Aisle)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... ZAANDAM, Netherlands--Royal Ahold announced late last month that it has completed the sale of its U.S. retail subsidiaries Bi-Lo and Bruno's to an affiliate of Lone Star Funds. On Dec. 23, Ahold revealed that it would sell Bi-Lo and...

Ralphs may shutter 11 units in California.(Supermarket Aisle)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... CINCINNATI -- Ralphs Grocery Co., which is a division of Kroger Co., could shutter 11 underperforming stores across California by next month, according to a local newspaper report. Ralphs currently operates 325 stores, all of which are...

Winn-Dixie may close remaining Va. stores.(Supermarket Aisle)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --Winn-Dixie, which announced last April that it would shutter or sell 111 stores in noncore markets, could close the remaining 12 units in Virginia by April if a buyer does not step forward, according to published reports.

Leavitt confirmed as HHS chief.(Pharmacy Watch)(Department of Health and Human Services)(Michael Leavitt)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Moving rapidly, the Senate late last month confirmed the appointment of Michael Leavitt, former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, to replace Tommy Thompson as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human...

Rx insurance training launched.(Pharmacy Watch)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Three pharmacy organizations have joined forces to launch a new online training and certification program to help pharmacy staffers deal with complex insurance and third party administration issues. The 15-hour program,...

Wegmans tests central fill in N.Y..(Pharmacy Watch)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Wegmans Food Markets announced that it is moving prescription fulfillment of maintenance medication and next-day refills for its New York stores to a single facility the company has built in West Seneca, N.Y. Store...

Pfizer buys biotech firm Angiosyn.(Pharmacy Watch)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Pfizer last month acquired Angiosyn, a bioprharmaceutical company, that develops ophthalmologic drugs, in a deal worth $527 million plus future royalties. Angiosyn will be a subsidiary of Pfizer. Currently, Angiosyn is...

Impact of cox-2 problems still cloudy.
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Where there's pain, there's gain. Yet even after fourth quarter sales have been posted, it is still difficult to pinpoint exactly where the osteoarthritis business has gone since the recall of Vioxx and the subsequent news reports...

More consumers surfing the Web for prescription drug information.
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- About 45 million consumers are surfing the Web for prescription drug information, up from 10 million four years ago. And direct-to-consumer advertising, with its $3.5 billion price tag, is helping to guide them there, with younger...

Drug Store News/CVS reception.(children with disabilities and developmental delays gets fund)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Drug Store News Publisher John Kenlon and Editor/Associate Publisher Tony Lisanti present CVS Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Ryan with a $10,000 check for Meeting Street--a Rhode Island-based pioneer in education for...

Different plans for future success.
February 14, 2005... With the sale of Eckerd last year, the Sears and Kmart merger and, most recently, Procter & Gamble's acquisition of Gillette, speculation of more such mega deals is on the horizon. This volatile marketplace makes it even more difficult for a...

Seniors get what Washington pays for--not enough.
February 14, 2005... "The prescription business is not selling popcorn and cotton candy. This is a serious business... price should not be the only factor. I think the population believes that. It's up to us to educate the administration better about the services...

Convenience is bittersweet differentiator in chain pharmacy's battle against mail order.(Rx patient satisfaction report)
February 14, 2005... According to recent research from Wilson Health Information, convenience is the primary driver for consumer satisfaction. But that news may turn out to be bittersweet for drug store operators. Sweet, because many chain drug operators are...

FDA official defends agency, warns drug pipeline could slow.(Chain Pharmacy)(Food and Drug Administration)
February 14, 2005... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Recent debates over the teen use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the safely of drugs like Vioxx and other cox-2 inhibitors and the alleged silencing of Food and Drug Administration scientists have put some sizeable...

Delay of Plan B switch decision draws charge of political pandering.(Chain Pharmacy)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The Food and Drug Administration's decision last month to delay judgment--without explanation--on Barr Laboratories' application to switch its emergency contraceptive Plan B from Rx to OTC status has provoked cries that the...

New Together Rx card program extends Rx discounts for uninsured.(chain pharmacy)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... WASHINGTON -- A new and further-reaching program from drug manufacturers to extend prescription savings to the uninsured could give millions of Americans another reason to get their prescriptions filled, boosting both patient compliance and...

Consumer understanding in question, statin switch is dead.(chain pharmacy)
February 14, 2005... BETHESDA, Md. -- Statins will not be made available over-the-counter in this country, judging from the two-day discussion held last month among Food and Drug Administration decision makers, a pair of FDA advisory committees and Johnson &...

PDX retail solution could level playing field in mandatory mail order era.
February 14, 2005... FORT WORTH, Texas -- PDX's Rx.com affiliate last month began offering retailers a mail order solution that functions more like central fill. If successful, the new technology could help level the difficult playing field for retail pharmacies...

Indian drug companies maintained their lead in the number of drug master filings to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration during fourth quarter 2004, accounting for 37 percent of global filings, according to the Indian business journal Business Standard.(Generics Notebook)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Indian drug companies maintained their lead in the number of drug master filings to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration during fourth quarter 2004, accounting for 37 percent of global filings, according to the Indian business journal Business...

Barr Pharmaceuticals.(withdraws its drug approval plan)
February 14, 2005... Barr Pharmaceuticals has withdrawn its application pending at the FDA for a generic version of Wyeth's Premarin using Natural Biologics raw material. It stated, however, that it would continue to review every option regarding its efforts to...

Teva Pharmaceuticals.(Generics Notebook)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled against Teva Pharmaceuticals in its bid to keep 180 days of exclusivity for its generic version of Pfizer's antidepressant drug Zoloft, the No. 1 antidepressant prescribed in the U.S....

Mylan Laboratories.(Generics Notebook)(Food and Drug Administration approvals)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Mylan Laboratories has received tentative approval from the FDA for its ANDAs for oxybutynin chloride extended-release tablets in 5 mg and 10 mg dosage strengths. Oxybutynin chloride ER tablets are the genetic version of Alza Corp.'s Ditropan...

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.(Generics Notebook)(terconazole vaginal cream approved)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has received FDA approval for its ANDA for terconazole vaginal cream, 0.4 percent. The generic drug is the bioequivalent to Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical's Terazol 7 Vaginal Cream 0.4 percent, an antifungal...

Ivax Corp.(Generics Notebook)(Anda approved)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Ivax Corp. received tentative approval from the FDA for its ANDA for finasteride tablets in 5 mg dosage strength. Finasteride is the generic equivalent of Merck's prostate treatment Proscar. Ivax believes that it has first-to-file status on the...

Eon Labs.(Generics Notebook)(moved to Lake Success, N.Y.)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Eon Labs has moved its corporate headquarters to Lake Success, N.Y., about seven miles from its previous location in Laurelton, N.Y. The relocation puts the generic drug maker closer to its manufacturing facility and also enables the growth...

Authorized generics yielding controversy, profits for drug makers.
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- To see the future of authorized generics, look back to the early '90s. Authorized generics happen when an innovator company "authorizes" a generic firm to make and sell the branded drug as a generic after its patent has...

Generic-brand deals gain ground.(Generics)
February 14, 2005... RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- Faced with dwindling patent protection for blockbuster drugs worth tens of billions of dollars in revenues, pharmaceutical manufacturers are turning increasingly to controversial marketing agreements with their...

Andrx pulls plug on brands.(Andrx Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
February 14, 2005... FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Andrx has decided to exit the branded business altogether after waiting some 14 months for the approval of Pfizer's Cardura XL. Andrx originally acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the extended-release...

Best may be yet to come for generic drug makers.
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- The lifeblood of any drug maker, branded or generic, is its research-and-development pipeline. And one of the simplest measures of the strength of a generics company's pipeline is the number of abbreviated new drug applications it...

Rx.com gives retail pharmacy the ability to profitably compete with mandatory mail and offer patients a new choice.(Advertisement)
February 14, 2005... New convenience for patient. New profits for pharmacy. Rx.com now offers retail pharmacy the opportunity to compete with mandatory mail programs and, most importantly, to do it profitably. Available to all 10,000 pharmacies who use the PDX...

New battles looming on Medicaid front.(Chain Pharmacy)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Drug store operators have managed to stave off some of the pressure to cut Medicaid prescription payments, but pressure for deeper cuts is growing in both the federal and state capitols. In a Jan. 25 report on the potential...

Microlife.(Supplier News)(peak-flow meter launched)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Supplier News -- Microlife recently launched an over-the-counter digital peak-flow meter, a device that measures how fast a person can exhale air, for the 35 million Americans who are asthmatic or have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A...

Pfizer.(Supplier News)(Maximum Strength Zantac 150)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Pfizer late last month launched a higher-dose strength of its Zantac heartburn remedy called Maximum Strength Zantac 150, which is formulated with twice the amount of ranitidine as the company's original OTC Zantac offering. The new gold box...

NBTY.(Supplier News)(vitamin E sales)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... The fallout from a meta-analysis published late last year that linked high doses of vitamin E with a higher mortality rate had a significant impact on single-letter vitamin sales in the last quarter, according to an NBTY conference call held...

McNeil Consumer Healthcare.(Supplier News)(launching new products)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... McNeil Consumer Healthcare will introduce a new line of intimate care products next month called Soothing Care, which will feature the tag line "from the makers of Monistat." According to McNeil consumer research, 48 percent of women are...

The Council for Responsible Nutrition.(investigation of ConsumerLab.com over a preferential treatment case)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... The Council for Responsible Nutrition last month urged the Federal Trade Commission to investigate ConsumerLab.com, claiming that the research company does not disclose fully how its business relationships influence the reporting of its testing...

Can new eating guidelines persuade consumers to ditch diet quick fixes?
February 14, 2005... At the peak of the dieting season, while consumers were still steadfast in their resolve to drop a few pounds after the new year, the Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture released their updated guidance on eating. The...

'Safe' arthritis pain relievers.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... While a pair of advisory committees prepares to meet later this week on the safety profile of cox-2 inhibitors, over-the-counter suppliers of pain relievers continue to benefit from their products' status as the relatively safe and effective...

Gillette.(Supplier News)(rolling out Oral-B Rembrandt Plus Whitening Toothpaste)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Gillette will begin, rolling out this month its new Oral-B Rembrandt Plus Whitening Toothpaste infused with fluoride and Citroxain, a stain protector. The toothpaste promises to whiten teeth up to five shades and protect from new stains....

Nivea.(Supplier News)(launching Nivea Visage )(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Nivea is launching next month its Nivea Visage Q10 Advanced Wrinkle Reducer collection, which contains Q10 Energy Complex. The collection, which includes Day Creme with SPF 8, Lotion with SPF 15, Eye Creme with SPF 4 and Night Creme, promises...

Dove.(Supplier News)(Fresh Radiance launched)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Coming off last month's launch of its new Fresh Radiance anti-age collection and Dove Hair Care styling products, Dove has developed new Cool Moisture Beauty Bar and Body Wash, which will hit shelves this month. Cool Moisture is made with green...

Noxzema.(Supplier News)(new razor systems launched)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... The razor wars are on as Noxzema looks to battle rivals with its new 4-Blade Shaving System Razor. In addition to four blades for a closer, cleaner shave, the razor also features four Noxzema Moisturizing Strips around the blades for a smooth...

Dr. Miracle.(Supplier News)(new hair care products launched)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Ethnic hair care company Dr. Miracle's has expanded its line with new Braid Relief Spray Formula, Braid Relief Sheen Gel Formula and 2-in-1 Tingling Shampoo & Conditioner. Dr. Miracle's products range in size from 4 ounces to 12 ounces and will...

L'Oreal Paris.(Executive News)(Rob Robillard promoted)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... L'Oreal Paris has promoted Rob Robillard, vice president of marketing, cosmetics and hair care, to senior vice president of marketing. Robillard succeeds Nina White, who is joining the Lancome division of L'Oreal USA as deputy general...

Markwins Beauty Products International.(Executive News)(James Koeppl, Shawn Haynes promoted)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Markwins Beauty Products International announced a string of executive moves related to the restructuring of its Markwins Beauty Products division. James Koeppl, senior vice president and general manager, has been promoted to executive...

As salon take-along or DIY touch-up, implements arm to revive nail care.(do it yourself)
February 14, 2005... Confronted with a category that is battling growing competition from nail salons and a lack of the fanfare seen in the mid-1990s, nail care manufacturers are rounding up their nippers, emery boards and buffing blocks to give the category a...

Baby care boom.(baby product launches)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Several major manufacturers are rolling out new baby care collections, supporting predictions by some industry sources that sales of such products are breaking out of their slump and are back on track to solid growth. After peaking in...

Published in tandem by Fremantle-Media and CSM Group, American Idol, The Magazine launched in Wal-Mart.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Published in tandem by Fremantle-Media and CSM Group, American Idol, The Magazine launched in Wal-Mart, newsstand and bookstore shelves beginning this month. The January/February premier issue, featuring Ryan Seacrest on the cover, reveals...

Fox Licensing and Merchandising and McFarlane Toys teamed up to create an all-new line of action figures based on characters from the hit TV series The Simpsons.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Fox Licensing and Merchandising and McFarlane Toys teamed up to create an all-new line of action figures based on characters from the hit TV series The Simpsons. The figures, including Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, will capture some of...

Gund.(Supplier News)(Gund En Espanol launched)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Gund is introducing a Spanish-language line called Gund En Espanol. BabyGund's My First collection includes Spanish-language embroidered sayings like Es Una Nina, (It's A Girl) on pastel pink bears. Also translated into Spanish from baby Gund...