Drug Store News articles from January 2002

Drug Store News archives from January 2002

Wal-Mart Stores. (Newsbites).(named CEO in Canada)(Brief Article)
January 30, 2002... BENTONVILLE, Ark--Wal-Mart Stores has promoted Mario Pilozzi to president and chief executive officer of its Canadian operation. Pilozzi, who joined Wal-Mart Canada in 1994, most recently served as chief operating officer of Wal-Mart Canada.

Alpharma, Barr Laboratories, Ivax Corp., Mylan Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Resources and Teva Pharmaceuticals are among the generic drug makers. (Newsbites).(to launch generic diabetes drug)(Brief Article)
January 30, 2002... NEW YORK -- Alpharma, Barr Laboratories, Ivax Corp., Mylan Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Resources and Teva Pharmaceuticals are among the generic drug makers who will begin launching metformin, the $1.8 billion generic brand of Bristol-Myers...

The Novartis Care Card. (Newsbites).(accepted at Kroger)(Brief Article)
January 30, 2002... CINCINNATI -- Following in the footsteps of several other drug retailers, Kroger will begin accepting Pfizer's new prescription benefit card, which rolls out March 1, and the Novartis Care Card. Kroger pharmacies already accept the Glaxo...

CVS is closing 10 of its metro Atlanta-area stores. (Newsbites).(Brief Article)
January 30, 2002... ATLANTA -- CVS is closing 10 of its metro Atlanta-area stores, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution report. Part of CVS' previously announced plans to shutter 200 underperforming stores during the first quarter of 2002, the move will...

Shoppers Drug Mart. (Newsbites).(names board candidate)(Brief Article)
January 30, 2002... TORONTO -- Shoppers Drug Mart nominated Frank McKenna as a candidate for its board of directors. The nomination will be decided this spring at the chain's first annual shareholders' meeting. He is a former premier of New Brunswick, Canada.

Rx benefit cards, economy topics at NACDS regional.(Brief Article)
January 30, 2002... KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. -- Determined to thrive in an era of low profit margins, fickle consumers and increasing government regulation, dozens of leaders of small-and mid-sized drug chains closed out the annual National Association of Chain Drug...

Pharmacy coalition applauds proposed Rx bill.(Brief Article)
January 30, 2002... WASHINGTON -- A coalition o pharmacy and retail groups has endorsed newly proposed federal legislation that would extend pharmacy benefits to seniors on Medicare without sacrificing freedom of choice or the larger role pharmacists can play in...

Longs hires Duane Reade's schewallie to oversee Rx.(Brief Article)
January 30, 2002... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Longs Drug Stores has added two industry veterans to its management team. Bruce Schwallie, a former Duane Reade executive, is Longs' new senior vice president of pharmacy and business development and Todd Vasos,...

J.C. Penney may carve out eckerd, analyst says.(Brief Article)
January 30, 2002... PLANO, Texas - J.C. Penney Co.'s announcement that it has changed its corporate structure to a holding company format has at least one analyst speculating that Penneys may be spinning off its drug store chain Eckerd. In a Reuters report,...

Merck & Co. plans spin-off of PBM unit merck-medco.(pharmacy benefits management )(Brief Article)
January 30, 2002... WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. - Generic competition an Wall Street earnings pressures compelled Merck & Co. to plan to spinoff its Merck-Medco pharmacy benefits management division by the middle of this year. Merck president and chief...

Walgreens kicks off new 'Perfect' ad campaign.(Brief Article)
January 30, 2002... DEERFIELD, Ill. - Walgreens has kicked off a new ad campaign aimed at driving sales at the front-end by reminding shoppers that Walgreens offers a broad range of value-priced merchandise, in addition to prescriptions, a Chicago newspaper...

Weinstein to fill new sales post at Drug Store News.(Alexis Weinstein)(Brief Article)
January 30, 2002... NEW YORK - Drug Store News has named Alexis Weinstein its New England manager, effective Feb. 4. Weinstein formerly served as the beauty director for Women's World Daily from 1998 to 2001, and has experience with mass market beauty...

Drugstore.com reports fourth quarter sales boost.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 30, 2002... BELLEVUE, Wash. - Drugstore.com reported on Monday strong fourth quarter sales and a narrower-than-expected pro forma net loss. In its fourth quarter ended Dec. 30, sales rose 20 percent to a record $43.5 million. Pro forma net loss...

AmerisourceBergen sees strong first quarter.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 30, 2002... VALLEY FORGE, Pa. - AmerisourceBergen reported strong first quarter results and expects continued growth for the balance of 2002. "We expect continued strong performance for AmerisourceBergen with revenue growth in the range of 15 percent...

Merrill Lynch reduced its fiscal 2002 earnings per-share estimate. (Financials).(for Albertson's Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 30, 2002... NEW YORK - Merrill Lynch reduced its fiscal 2002 earnings per-share estimate for Albertson's to $2.05 from $2.10, citing the likelihood that the food-drug chain will make a "greater" gross margin investment to drive sales next year. In a...

Coca-Cola Co. (Financials).(sales growth figures for 2001)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 30, 2002... ATLANTA - Coca-Cola Co reported Tuesday that it expects 2002 unit case volume to grow at the lower, end of its 5 percent to 6 percent forecast due to a tough economy. Sales of non-carbonated beverages grew 22 percent in 2001. In 2001, Coke...

Gillette reported. (Financials).(fourth quarter financial results)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 30, 2002... BOSTON - Gillette reported Tuesday that despite a 3 percent drop in fourth quarter sales and earnings before charges, its Mach3 and Venus razors led the company to its highest U.S. shaving market share in 40 years Excluding restructuring...

The American Stock Exchange. (Financials).(delists bankrupt Horizon Pharmacies Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 30, 2002... NEW YORK - The American Stock Exchange delisted Horizon Pharmacies, currently in bankruptcy proceedings, on Monday. The Amex first informed Horizon of this eventuality Nov. 5, citing, among other reasons, that it failed to file a proxy...

Internal investigation. (Financials).(Kmart Corp. investigating its accounting practices)(Brief Article)
January 30, 2002... TROY, Mich. After receiving an "anonymous" letter, Kmart late last week launched an internal investigation of its accounting practices.

Eckerd will accept Pfizer's new drug benefit card. (Newsbites).(and cards from Glaxo and Novartis)(Brief Article)
January 23, 2002... CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Eckerd will accept Pfizer's new drug benefit card, in addition to the Glaxo Orange Card and Novartis Care Card. CVS and Wal-Mart also will accept Pfizer's card, while Walgreens is accepting the Glaxo and Novartis cards.

Johnson & Johnson has named William Weldon chairman and chief executive officer. (Newsbites).(Brief Article)
January 23, 2002... NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - Johnson & Johnson has named William Weldon chairman and chief executive officer, succeeding Ralph Larsen who is retiring after 38 years of service. James Lenehan has been named president, in addition to his role as vice...

Safeway has entered into the online home delivery business through GroceryWorks. (Newsbites).(Brief Article)
January 23, 2002... PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway has entered into the online home delivery business through GroceryWorks, a Web-based home shopping service 50 percent owned by Safeway, and 35 percent owned by U.K. food retailer Tesco. Portland, Ore., and...

The National Council on Patient Information and Education. (Newsbites).(campaign for over the counter medicine usage safety)(Brief Article)
January 23, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The National Council on Patient Information and Education has launched a public awareness campaign, Be MedWise, to educate consumers on the use of OTC medicines. The campaign will be promoted on several cable television stations.

Online poll results.(perscription drug plan for seniors)(Brief Article)
January 23, 2002... A poll at drugstorenews.com found that 69 percent of respondents believe that a pharmacy benefit plan for seniors will not come to fruition this year. Cast your vote in our 2002 pharmacist shortage survey at www.drugstorenews.com.

Bodine succeeds Zigerelli as CVS marketing chief.(Brief Article)
January 23, 2002... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- Larry Zigerelli, i. the former Procter & Gamble executive who has been executive vice president of marketing for CVS since February 1999, is leaving the company. Zigerelli will be replaced, effective Feb. 1, by Chris...

Kmart sees Chapter 11 as impetus for 'fresh start'.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 23, 2002... TROY, Mich. -- Kmart, after s seeking bankruptcy protection yesterday, is embarking on a restructuring effort that will have a ripple effect across all of retail. The discount chain, with 2,114 stores, was forced to file Chapter 11 after...

Walgreens promotes Wagner to operations post.(and Wasson to president of Walgreens Health Initiatives)(Brief Article)
January 23, 2002... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreens recently announced a string of executive promotions, including the promotion of Mark Wagner to senior vice president of store operations. Wagner. who previously served as vice p resident and treasurer,...

Bayer to trade on NYSE, form holding company.(Bayer AG, New York Stock Exchange Inc., $33.00 a share)(Brief Article)
January 23, 2002... NEW YORK -- Bayer will eater the New York Stock Exchange Jan. 24 with the ticker "BAY," at an anticipated $33 per share. The Leverkusen, Germany-based drug giant will form a management holding company with four independent divisions:...

Bush's revised drug card due 'any day' from CMS.(from U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)(Brief Article)
January 23, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services head Thomas Scully said a revised version of the Bush administration's drug discount card program is due "any day." Scully made the announcement Jan. 16 after delivering a speech to...

Group buys Hamacher back from NonStop.(Hamacher Resource Group acquires D.P. Hamacher and Associates Inc. from Nonstop Solutions Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 23, 2002... MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- A management-led group has bought back D.P. Hamacher & Associates from its former owner, NonStop Solutions. The company, now known as Hamacher Resource Group, develops merchandising, category management and marketing tools...

Cardinal and McKesson see solid quarterly results.(Cardinal Health Inc., McKesson Corp., third quarter results)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 23, 2002... NEW YORK -- Drug distributors Cardinal Health and McKesson Corp. yesterday posted solid results. For the period ended Dec. 31, Cardinal reported diluted earnings before special items rose 28 percent to 64 cents per share versus the...

Pharmaca stretches store base, markets.(Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 23, 2002... BOULDER, Colo. -- Pharmaca integrative Pharmacy has stretched its store base to four stores in three states and will enter Washington by May. Pharmaca's new stores, which average 3,500-square-feet, will be in San Francisco, Seattle,...

BMS throws off retailers by scrapping QuickTabs.(Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., not launching analgesic product)(Brief Article)
January 23, 2002... NEW YORK -- Bristol-Myers Squibb had planned to introduce a melt-in-your-mouth analgesic line extension to mass retailers next month, called Excedrin QuickTabs. But BMS scrapped the roll out as late as Jan. 2 because of a supply disruption...

The future of Big V Supermarkets. (Financials).(Stop and Shop Companies Inc. to buy Wakefern Food Corp. store units)(Brief Article)
January 23, 2002... QUINCY, Mass. -- The future of Big V Supermarkets became increasingly uncertain last week as Stop & Shop signed a letter of intent to buy 27 Big V units for $255 million. The offer follows Big V's agreement to sell substantially all of its...

Merck & Co. (Financials).(Merck and Company Inc. fourth quarter earnings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 23, 2002... WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. -- Merck & Co. reported yesterday that its earnings rose more than 5 percent in the fourth quarter to $1.86 billion, or 81 cents per share. According to Thomson Financial/First Call, the consensus estimate on Wall...

Including special charges, Johnson & Johnson reported yesterday that net earnings. (Financials).(earnings for fourth quarter)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 23, 2002... NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- Including special charges, Johnson & Johnson reported yesterday that net earnings for the fourth quarter were $1.1 billion versus $936 million in the year-ago period. Earnings per share for the quarter were 36 cents,...

PepsiCo has terminated discussions with the Jugos del Valle. (Financials).(Brief Article)
January 23, 2002... PURCHASE, N.Y. -- After months of negotiations which produced no agreement, PepsiCo has terminated discussions with the Jugos del Valle, Mexico's second-largest maker and seller of juices, nectars and juice drinks, about a possible...

Rite Aid has selected Microsoft's Windows XP embedded operating system to support its next generation point-of-sale systems. (Newsbites).(Brief Article)
January 16, 2002... HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Rite Aid has selected Microsoft's Windows XP embedded operating system to support its next generation point-of-sale systems. The deployment will include 28,000 POS devices, in-store electronic customer prescription...

President Bush has signed into law an extension of the deadline for retail pharmacies to adopt HIPPA patient billing standards. (Newsbites).(Brief Article)
January 16, 2002... WASHINGTON -- President Bush has signed into law an extension of the deadline for retail pharmacies to adopt HIPPA patient billing standards. Pharmacies have until mid-October 2002 to apply for the extension.

Eli Lilly lost its last court bid to hold onto antidepressant Prozac when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to take the case. (Newsbites).(Brief Article)
January 16, 2002... WASHINGTON--Eli Lilly lost its last court bid to hold onto antidepressant Prozac when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to take the case. Barr Laboratories launched a generic version of the drug in August after Lilly's pediatric exclusivity...

BJ's Wholesale Club, which will open its first six pharmacy departments this spring, has chosen PDX as its pharmacy management system provider. (Newsbites).(Brief Article)
January 16, 2002... NATICK, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club, which will open its first six pharmacy departments this spring, has chosen PDX as its pharmacy management system provider. PDX can electronically send and receive prescriptions to pharmacists.

Joe Cucci, vice president of customer business development, North America, for Procter & Gamble, will retire in March. (Newsbites).(Brief Article)
January 16, 2002... CINCINNATI -- Joe Cucci, vice president of customer business development, North America, for Procter & Gamble, will retire in March. Stephen Donovan Jr., president of global beverage and North America food, will retire Feb. 1.

CVS' supply chain visibility initiative, launched last year, is moving into phase two. (Newsbites).(with help from Descartes Systems)(Brief Article)
January 16, 2002... NEW YORK -- CVS' supply chain visibility initiative, launched last year, is moving into phase two. The supply chain solution, designed by Descartes Systems, tracks purchase orders.

CVS, Wal-Mart to accept Pfizer's new Rx benefit card.(Brief Article)
January 16, 2002... NEW YORK -- Pfizer yesterday unveiled a new drug benefit card program, the Pfizer Share Card, which enables low-income Medicare recipients with no other form of prescription drug coverage to buy 30-day supplies of any Pfizer prescription for...

Rite Aid's Miller optimistic despite third quarter loss.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 16, 2002... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Citing the events of Sept. 11, a competitive drug store environment and continuing pressure on pharmacy margins, Rite Aid last week reported soft third quarter results. "While we've experienced a more difficult operating...

Drug costs, economy forcing Medicaid cuts.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 16, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Rising drug and hospitalization costs, increasing utilization and an economy in recession mode have pushed many states to the brink of deep spending cuts in Medicaid programs for lower-income Americans. Federal and state...

Economic rebound, or not, major topic at NRF show.(National Retail Federation convention )(Brief Article)
January 16, 2002... NEW YORK -- The economy--and when it might turn around--was a major topics of discussion for the 2,500 or so retailers and suppliers who gathered here this wee week for the 91st annual National Retail Federation convention and expo. "I think...

New Wal-Mart store format redesigns pharmacy, HBC.(Brief Article)
January 16, 2002... BENTONVILLE, Ark -- The development of Wal-Marts Neighborhood Market concept took another step in its evolution with the recent opening of a new prototype in Rogers, Ark. Among the many changes is the reconfigured pharmacy and health and...

Merrill Lynch initiates coverage of Shoppers Drug Mart.(gives strong buy recommendation)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 16, 2002... NEW YORK -- Merrill Lynch on Monday initiated coverage of the Canadian drug store operator Shoppers Drug Mart with a strong buy" recommendation and set a price objective of C$24 in the next 12 months. Merrill Lynch analysts predict the chain...

December sales performances.(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
January 16, 2002... December sales performances Total Same-store monthly % increase Same-store pharmacy $ sales over sales sales Company in...

The Jean Coutu Group reported. (Financials).(second quarter sales at Brooks Pharmacy)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 16, 2002... WARWICK, R.I. -- Canadian drug retailer The Jean Coutu Group reported that second quarter sales at its U.S. retail business--Brooks Pharmacy--reached U.S. $270.9 million, compared with U.S. $232.7 million in the year-ago period. In other...

Pathmark Stores. (Financials).(expects modest same-store sales increase for fourth quarter)(Brief Article)
January 16, 2002... CARTERET, N.J. -- Pathmark Stores on Monday stated it now expects a modest same-store sales increase for its fourth quarter. Also, the retailer reaffirmed its previously announced EBITDA and fully diluted earnings per share for the quarter...

Walgreens declared a quarterly dividend of 3.625 cents per share, payable March 12 to shareholders of record Feb. 18. (Financials).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 16, 2002... NEW YORK -- Walgreens declared a quarterly dividend of 3.625 cents per share, payable March 12 to shareholders of record Feb. 18. CVS announced a quarterly cash dividend at the rate of $0.0575 per share, payable Feb. 5 to shareholders of...

Winn-Dixie reported that a trust created in 1980 has sold about 1.2 million shares of Winn-Dixie's stock. (Financials).(Brief Article)
January 16, 2002... JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie reported that a trust created in 1980 has sold about 1.2 million shares of Winn-Dixie's stock for the purpose of providing funds necessary to pay estate taxes.

Internet customer service software company. (NewsBites).(Terry Lee appointed corporate brands vice president at Albertson's Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2002... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertson's has named former Safeway executive Terry Lee as vice president of corporate brands. From 1996 to 2000, Lee served as vice president of corporate brands for Safeway. He most recently served as chief operating...

Tim LaBeau. (NewsBites).(appointed operations senior vice president at Fleming Cos.)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2002... DALLAS -- Tim LaBeau former president and chief executive officer of Ahold subsidiary American Sales Co., has joined grocery wholesaler Fleming Cos. as senior vice president of operations. LaBeau will handle Fleming divisions in Garland,...

U-Scan. (NewsBites).(Kroger will install self-scan checkout systems in stores)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2002... CINCINNATI -- Kroger is planning to install 500 additional self-checkout systems in Kroger-owned locations. The U-Scan self-checkout system, from Optimal Robotics, is already installed in more than 1,200 of its stores across the country.

Jane Henney. (NewsBites).(elected to board of directors at AmerisourceBergen)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2002... VALLEY FORGE, Pa. -- Former Food and Drug Administration commissioner Jane Henney has been elected to AmerisourceBergen's board of directors. Henney served as an FDA commissioner from 1998 through 2001. From 1992 to 1994, Henney served as...

Neil Guliano. (NewsBites).(appointed senior vice president of promotion and sales at Officemax)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2002... NEW YORK -- Former CVS advertising executive Neil Guliano has joined OfficeMax as senior vice president of sales and promotion. Guliano previously served as senior vice president of advertising at CVS. He also served in senior marketing roles...

CVS reports solid December front-end sales.(drug stores report positive December sales)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 9, 2002... NEW YORK -- Drug retailers in December came face-to-face with a weak flu season and a still fragile economy, but, for the most part, they passed the test with flying colors. CVS yesterday stated a soft flu season hampered its pharmacy...

PhRMA to fight Florida's medicaid drug rebate program.(Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2002... TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Branded pharmaceutical manufacturers are vowing to fight last week's decision by a federal judge here to allow Florida's cost-saving Medicaid drug rebate program to proceed. The ruling-which clears the way for the state...

Walgreens reports first quarter results, expansion plans.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 9, 2002... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreens last week reported solid first quarter earnings and announced expansion plans for 2002. The drug retail giant reported first quarter earnings rose 17.4 percent to $185.9 million, or 18 cents per diluted...

Drugstore.com posts fourth quarter results.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 9, 2002... BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Drugstore.com president and chief executive officer Kal Raman reported that sales for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 increased 19 percent to $43 million. Speaking yesterday at a Morgan Stanley Internet, Software and...

Massachusetts mulls fine for pharmacy errors.(Brief Article)
January 9, 2002... NEW YORK -- Massachusetts state legislators may consider a bill early this year that would enable state regulators to fine pharmacists up to $5,000 for prescription drug errors, according to a Boston Globe report. The bill, originally...

Feds OK Rx pilot programs to aid low-income patients.(prescription dispensing programs approved)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson has approved two pilot projects--one of which will include offsite dispensing of prescription drugs through vending machines--in a bid to make it easier and more affordable for...

GMDC expands list of drug retail members.(General Merchandise Distributors Council)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2002... COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The General Merchandise Distributors Council, which links retailers and wholesalers with general merchandise and health and beauty aid suppliers, has signed up several new pharmacy chain members, including Eckerd,...

Rx discount cards offer little savings to seniors.(prescription drug discount cards)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 9, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Drug discount cards offer little or no savings to seniors, according to a recent federal report from the General Accounting Office. The report states, for example, arthritis medication Celebrex (celecoxib) was priced as...

Residents in South, Midwest use more Rxs.(Express Scripts reports prescription drug usage)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 9, 2002... ST. LOUIS -- A study released this week by Express Scripts found that the use of prescription drugs varied widely on a state-by-state basis. In general, people living in he South and Midwest tended to take more prescription drugs than...

Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (Financials).(reports third quarter 2001 sales)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 9, 2002... MONTVALE, N.J. -- The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.'s sales for the third quarter ended Dec. 1 rose 4 percent to $2.5 billion. Same-store sales rose 3.1 percent. Excluding charges from its previously announced asset disposition program,...

U.S. super market. (Financials).(Ahold sales in U.S.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 9, 2002... THE NETHERLANDS -- Ahold reported a steady rise in sales at its U.S. supermarket operations for fiscal 2001, fueled by healthy same-store gains and the late-year addition of newly acquired Bruno's Supermarkets. Combined U.S. retail sales rose...

Publix Super Markets. (Financials).(claims it will not be acquired by Safeway)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2002... LAKELAND, Fla -- Publix Super Markets denies there's any truth to rumors circulating throughout the industry that it will be acquired by Safeway, according to a report in a Florida newspaper. Safeway stated that it does not comment on rumors.

Allou Health & Beauty. (Financials).(Brief Article)
January 9, 2002... BRENTWOOD, N.Y. -- Allou Health & Beauty reported it is comfortable with Wall Street estimates of 86 cents to 88 cents per share for fiscal 2002. Allou expects double-digit growth in earnings per share for fiscal 2003, citing its...

Annual Convention and Expo. (Financials).(National Retail Federation)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2002... NEW YORK -- The National Retail Federation will release its first quarter economic and retail sales forecast for spring 2002 on Jan. 14 at the opening of the NRF's 91st Annual Convention and Expo at the Jacob Javits Convention Center here.

Holiday season yields mixed results for retailers.(Brief Article)
January 2, 2002... NEW YORK - It was a mixed bag for retailers this holiday season as some experienced healthy holiday sales, while others lacked a bit of Christmas cheer. Wal-Mart's holiday sales percentage increases were among the merriest this year with...

Rite Aid, CVS adjust operations in Ohio markets.(Brief Article)
January 2, 2002... NEW YORK - The pharmacy marketplace in some Ohio and Michigan areas will have a new look later this month as CVS and Rite Aid each close a handful of stores, exit certain markets and pick up additional units in others. Rite Aid is...

Kroger's Cox to retire from drug/GM position.(Terry Cox, group vice president retires)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2002... CINCINNATI - After 40 years with the Kroger Co., Terry Cox, group vice president of drug/GM merchandising and procurement, will retire Feb. 28. Succeeding Cox as group vice president will be Michael Donnelly ,who has served as president...

After inking a deal with Walgreens in late November, GE Global exchange Services. (Newsbites).(Albertson's signs contract with GE Global exchange Services)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2002... BOISE, Idaho - After inking a deal with Walgreens in late November, GE Global exchange Services is teaming up with Albertson's to enable the retailers 1,500 small- and mid-sized suppliers to trade with the food and drug retailer...

Supermarket combo chain Giant Eagle is buying six independently owned County Market stores. (Newsbites).(Giant Eagle acquires 6 County Market stores)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2002... PITTSBURGH -Supermarket combo chain Giant Eagle is buying six independently owned County Market stores, including its first four units in northern Maryland, and will convert them to the Giant Eagle banner. Giant Eagle is buying one store each...

Cleveland Brown alum Bernie Kosar visited Discount Drug Marts Kent. (Newsbites).(United Way benefits from autograph signing)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2002... MEDINA, Ohio - Cleveland Brown alum Bernie Kosar visited Discount Drug Marts Kent, Ohio, location on Saturday for an autograph signing. Patrons interested in seeking the quarterback's signature also were able to donate non-perishable goods to...

ShopKo Stores has promoted Douglas Wurl to ShopKo division senior vice president and general merchandise manager of home. (Newsbites).(New senior vice president and general merchandise manager)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2002... GREEN BAY, Wis. - ShopKo Stores has promoted Douglas Wurl to ShopKo division senior vice president and general merchandise manager of home. Wurl, who joined ShopKo in May 2000 as vice president an d division merchandise manager of soft home...

Chicago investment firm adds to Longs' holding.(Ariel Capital Management gets 10.6% stake in Longs Drug Stores)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2002... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Ariel Capital Management, a Chicago-based investment group, has added to its holdings in Longs Drug Stores, according to a recent report. The group raised its stake to more than 4 million shares, or roughly 10.6...

Supermarkets declining in size, survey says.(Food Marketing Institute study)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2002... NEW YORK - The average supermarket size declined for the second year in a row, while store openings outpaced store closings, according to a new Food Marketing Institute study. The report, Facts About Store Development 2001, also found...

New Year's resolutions take new spin in 2002.(New Year's resolutions favor loved ones and life itself)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2002... NEW YORK - The current economic downturn and the attacks of Sept. 11 have flavored America's New Year's resolutions, toppling dieting and exercise from their traditional top two placement. For 2002, most people are vowing to appreciate...

Online drug stores trail brick-n-mortar, mail order.(Six percent of U.S. consumers buy health-related products online)(Internet/Web/Online Service Information)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2002... SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. - Consumer reluctance, erratic purchases and competition from corner and mail order drug stores have seriously stemmed online pharmacy sales, according to several industry reports. A report by the Stamford,...