Drug Store News articles from January 2002

Drug Store News archives from January 2002

Chains glean holiday rewards.(chain drug stores report year 2001 holiday sales)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... NEW YORK -- A fragile economic environment and some uneasiness about the safety of crowded shopping malls dampened 2001 holiday sales for numerous retailers, but may have led more shoppers to value-priced drug stores and discounters. As...

NACDS revamps Marketplace.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores enhances conference structure)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has set out to enhance the structure of its Marketplace conference. Among the key changes, the opening day (Saturday) is designed so that first-time and emerging supplier...

Refining a concept, honing a competitive edge. (Wal-Mart's Neighborhood Market).(develops new store concepts)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... ROGERS, Ark. -- Wal-Mart's 30-store Neighborhood Market operation isn't yet a competitive threat to drug store and supermarket operators, but a recently opened prototype indicates the world's largest retailer has refined the concept to the...

Pharmacy coalition regroups to push Medicare Rx benefits.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores )(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Determined to head off renewed Congressional and public support for the Bush administration's proposed discount pharmacy card for Medicare beneficiaries, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and eight other pharmacy...

Rite Aid leaps ahead with new pharmacy format.(tests newly designed pharmacy prototypes)
January 21, 2002... BRIDGETON, N.J. -- This post-industrial southern New Jersey town is home to one of Rite Aid's five busiest pharmacies, where prescription volume often blows past 800 units per day amid a constant flurry of white-coated activity and ringing...

Q&A: Fitz Elder, NACDS. (Retail News).(discusses National Association of Chain Drug Stores strategies and goals)(Brief Article)(Interview)
January 21, 2002... Following discussions with chain and supplier members in November, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores decided to make some important enhancements to its Marketplace Conference. Fitz Elder, NACDS' vice president of member programs and...

Walgreens execs outline opportunities. (Retail News).(Daniel Jorndt and David Bernauer discuss recent financial performance and future corporate strategies)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... CHICAGO -- Walgreens management capped off its centennial year by addressing an over-capacity crowd of nearly 3,000 people at the company's annual meeting here earlier this month. Chairman Daniel Jorndt discussed another year of financial...

Rite Aid posts soft third quarter results. (Retail News).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Citing the events of Sept. 11, a competitive drug store environment and continuing pressure on pharmacy margins, Rite Aid reported soft third quarter results. "The third quarter was obviously a difficult one, and we are...

CVS and Rite Aid complete deals for stores and Rx files. (News in Brief).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... NEW YORK -- Rite Aid and CVS this month are each closing a handful of stores, exiting certain markets and picking up additional units in some Ohio and Michigan markets. Rite Aid is exiting Columbus, Ohio, where it had 20 stores, and CVS is...

Albertson's boosts Calif. spending. (News in Brief).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertson's recently confirmed its commitment to northern California and revealed plans to increase its investment in that area. Last year, the retailer invested about $60 million in new and remodeled stores, but in 2002...

Eckerd and May's join GMDC. (News in Brief).(May's Drug Stores, General Merchandise Distributors Council)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... COLORADO SPRINGS, Cob. -- The General Merchandise Distributors Council, the trade association that links retailers and wholesalers with general merchandise and health and beauty aid suppliers, has signed up several new pharmacy chain members,...

Chicago investment firm increases stake in longs. (News in Brief).(Ariel Capital Management, Longs Drug Stores)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Ariel Capital Management, a Chicago-based investment group, has added to its holdings in Longs Drug Stores, according to a news report. The group raised its stake to more than 4 million shares, or roughly 10.6 percent of...

Number of pharmacy techs surpasses the 100,000 mark. (News in Brief).(Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The 6-year-old Pharmacy Technician Certification Board minted its 104,644th certified pharmacy technician recently. Passing the 100,000-certification milestone is significant because many industry experts feel the right mix of...

Drug Store News launches tech CE. (News in Brief).(pharmacy technician continuing education program)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Drug Store News' Continuing Education Quarterly has expanded to include a continuing education program developed specifically for pharmacy technicians working in the retail pharmacy environment. Supported by a grant from Wyeth, the Retail...

Analysts see new retail dawn for 2002. (Retail News).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... NEW YORK -- The darkness before the dawn. Those are the words that Goldman Sachs analyst John Heinbockel chose to describe the last several weeks heading into the New Year in a Dec. 4 phone conference highlighting the current state of the drug...

Holiday ads drive sales. (Retail News).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... NEW YORK -- Facing a soft economy and nervous consumers, some major retail chains decided to increase print advertising over the Christmas holidays. However, major retailers as a group weren't consistent in their holiday marketing strategies....

People in the news.(various appointments)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertson's has named former Safeway executive Terry Lee vice president of corporate brands. From 1996 to 2000, Lee served as vice president of corporate brands for Safeway. He also held senior marketing positions at Del Monte...

Federal drug price data flawed, charges University of Texas study. (Retail News).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Proving itself an ally in the pharmacy industry's fight for a fairer third party reimbursement structure, the University of Texas Center for Pharmacoeconomic Studies is charging that the federal government's estimates of what...

Balancing sales growth against profit margins. (Viewpoint).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... Are prices low enough for you--not share prices, but shelf prices? More important, perhaps, is there a correlation between the drop in the two? Up against a slowing economy in 2001, retailers were forced to step up promotional activity....

Busy pharmacists are not too busy to do their jobs. (Viewpoint).
January 21, 2002... Somewhere down the line, some people in this industry got the crazy idea that the pharmacist's recommendation has no impact in driving front-end sales, particularly in chain drug stores, where, these cynics say, the pharmacist is too...

NACDS fights the good fight for retail pharmacies. (A View from the Top).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... After playing defense for the latter half of 2001, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores begins the new year with plans to go on the offensive, putting the effort to shape a pharmacy benefit for seniors as one of its highest priorities....

Griffin focuses on the light at the end of the tunnel. (A View from the Top).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... Although a bleak economy peppered this past Christmas season with reports of declining consumer confidence, drug store operators have plenty of reasons to be optimistic, according to Mark Griffin, newly elected chairman of the National...

Rite Aid drives ahead with broad 2002 initiatives. (A View from the Top).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Rite Aid, in 2002, has laid out a wide-ranging series of initiatives that it hopes will help the chain build upon last year's successful turnaround efforts. The programs touch upon every aspect of the retail business, from pharmacy and the...

Integrated strategies are linchpin to Internet success. (A View from the Top).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... One of the biggest challenges facing pharmacy retailers in 2002 will be "making the Internet part of their core value proposition," according to Kal Raman, president and chief executive officer of drugstore.com. Raman noted that...

Albertson's strives to be neighborhood destination. (A View from the Top).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Despite the assorted challenges that face chain pharmacy in 2002--from the ongoing pharmacist shortage to regulatory challenges at the federal and state levels--Kevin Tripp, president of Albertson's drug store region, remains optimistic about...

Happy Harry's will keep the focus on patient care. (A View from the Top).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... While serving as an officer of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores for the past three-plus years, Alan Levin has been well-placed to observe the fast-paced changes that have transformed community pharmacy. And he knows these...

Duane Reade sees opportunities in OTC, pharmacy. (A View from the TOP).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... The year 2002 should be plentiful with opportunity for retail pharmacy, according to Anthony Cuti, chairman and chief executive officer of New York's Duane Reade. Among the biggest opportunities are a burgeoning over-the-counter medication...

Longs remains optimistic facing 2002's challenges. (A View from the Top).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... 2001 wasn't the best of times for Longs Drug Stores. The 435-store chain had to contend with a sagging economy that plagued retailers across the nation and regional problems that made it even tougher doing business in its home state of...

Pharmacy remains a cornerstone of growth at ShopKo. (A View from the Top).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Pharmacy retailers will have to avoid several deep potholes on the road through the year 2002, according to ShopKo Stores' top health care and operations manager, Michael Bettiga. To steer a profitable course through an uncertain economy,...

Battles over Generic access will wage on in 2002. (A View from the Top).(health care issures bode well for the generic drugs industry)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... The convergence of such weighty issues as national health care costs, global health care access and obligations to a growing elderly population have placed the generic drug industry in the spotlight. Retail pharmacy, which reaps some of its...

Snyder's chief looks ahead to expansion opportunities. (A View from the Top).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Don't look for a quick or easy rebound in the economy or consumer spending this year, said Gordon Barker, chief executive officer of Snyder's Drug Stores, when asked to do a little crystal ball gazing in mid-December. But don't count out a...

NCPA strives to solidify independent sector in 2002. (A View from the Top).(National Community Pharmacists Association)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... At first glance, it might appear that independent drug stores share some of the same challenges as the larger chain drug retailers, but not the same efficiencies or economies of scale. That's not the case, contends Bruce Roberts, newly...

Pricing, assortment to drive 2002 sales.(chain drug stores sales)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Faced with a sluggish front-end business, chain drug stores will look this year to stimulate sales, generate traffic and enhance margins on this side of the store by offering consumers a broader assortment of products at more competitive...

Pharmacy's future may be in the genes. (What's Hot in 2002).(larger pharmaceutical companies are seeking smaller biotechnology partners with genetics know-how)
January 21, 2002... NEW YORK -- Advances in specialty drug development are changing the politics and power of pharmaceuticals. In the age of pharmacogenomics--the study of how genes affect the body's response to drugs--Big Pharma now finds itself courting smaller...

Volmax requires refrigeration. (Brand Watch).(Muro Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s Volmax drug, U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... Muro Pharmaceuticals is telling drug wholesalers and distributors that its asthma drug Volmax (albuterol sulfate) extended-release tablets now should be stored under refrigerated conditions, as per specific request of the Food and Drug...

FDA lays plans to reduce Rx errors. (Brand Watch).(U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulating medication labeling to prevent errors)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Labels on more than 30 medications will be altered in an attempt to cut down on medication dispensing errors, according to the FDA. The agency is embarking upon a seven-point plan in 2002 to cut down on drug errors. In addition to improving...

Augmentin XR gets nix from FDA. (Brand Watch).(U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not approve GlaxoSmithKline PLC's Augmentin XR antibiotic)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... FDA said it would not approve GlaxoSmithKline's antibiotic candidate, Augmentin XR extended release tablets (amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium 100 mg/62.5 mg). The agency said it needed "additional bacteriologic efficacy data" for the new...

Amgen and Isis have entered a three-year collaboration to discover new antisene drugs. (Specialty Drugs in the Works).(Amgen Inc., ISIS Pharmaceuticals Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Amgen and Isis have entered a three-year collaboration to discover new antisense drugs using Isis proprietary research. Antisense drugs work at the genetic level to interrupt the process by which disease-causing proteins are produced. The...

Pfizer has extended its proteomic research agreement with Oxford GlycoSciences. (Specialty Drugs in the Works).(Pfizer Inc., Oxford GlycoSciences PLC)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Pfizer has extended its proteomic research agreement with Oxford GlycoSciences for another year as the companies work toward the discovery of biomarkers for atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and other diseases. Pfizer also reached a new...

The launch of a targeted cancer drug being developed by ImClone and Bristol-Myers Squibb. (Specialty Drugs in the Works).(ImClone Systems Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Erbitux launch delayed by U.S. Food and Drug Administration)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... The launch of a targeted cancer drug being developed by ImClone and Bristol-Myers Squibb will be delayed by at least another nine months. The Food and Drug Administration informed the companies that more information is needed about Erbitux...

Xenon Genetics. (Specialty Drugs in the Works).(discovers genes relating to metabolic and neurological diseases)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Xenon Genetics of Vancouver has discovered two genes relating to metabolic and neurological diseases. With the discoveries, Xenon's self-reported portfolio of validated genes associated with important biological pathways and human disease now...

Par Pharmaceuticals and Elan will develop up to 10 modified-release drugs. (Specialty Drugs in the Works).(over next five years)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Par Pharmaceuticals and Elan will develop up to 10 modified-release drugs over the next five years. Under the terms of their agreement, the companies will identify two drug candidates for development at the beginning of each year, commencing in...

Alpharma completes faulding deal. (Generics Watch).(acquires F.H. Faulding's generic oral solid dose business from Mayne Nickless for $660 million)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Alpharma completed its acquisition of F.H. Faulding's generic oral solid dose business in December from Mayne Nickless for $660 million. "Our U.S. and European human generic product lines now have the necessary symmetry to provide a powerful...

GSK to appeal court ruling. (Generics Watch).(GlaxoSmithKline plans federal appeal regarding Augmentin ruling)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... GlaxoSmithKline plans to appeal a federal court ruling that said GSK's patent on the antibiotic Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium) ends in December 2002, not in 2018. In the summary judgment ruling, the court ruled in GSK's favor...

Barr and Pfizer in FemHrt squabble. (Generics Watch).(hormone replacement therapy patent suit)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Barr Laboratories said it was sued by Pfizer over a challenge to the patent protecting Pfizer's hormone replacement therapy FemHrt (norethindrone acetate, 1 mg and ethinyl estradiol, 5 mcg) from generic competition. The drug has annual sales of...

Generic Coumadin OK'd in Florida. (Generic Watch).(warfarin sodium removed from negative formulary list)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... The Florida Board of Pharmacy has removed warfarin sodium, the generic version of Bristol-Myers Squibb's heart drug Coumadin, from its "negative formulary list." The decision to remove Coumadin ends a two-year legislative battle with...

Ivax's lisinopril gets tentative OK. (Generic Watch).(for hypertension, heart failure and acute myocardial infarction)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Ivax has received tentative FDA approval for the marketing of its lisinopril tablets in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg and 40 mg strengths. Lisinopril is indicated for the treatment hypertension, heart failure and acute myocardial...

Generic Cipro on horizon. (Generic Watch).(Teva Pharmaceuticals gets tentative FDA go ahead)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Teva Pharmaceuticals is the latest generic drug company to receive tentative FDA approval to market the antibiotic cirpofioxacin, the unbranded form of Bayer's Cipro. It goes off brand in December 2003. Mylan and Danbury Pharmacueuticals also...

Q&A: Bob Kaminski, Leiner Health. (OTC/Natural Health).(regarding upcoming Chapter 11)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... Leiner Health announced in November its intentions to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The pre-packaged deal was approved officially last month by Leiner's creditors and shareholders. Leiner's chief executive officer Bob Kaminski...

New developments add curves to future of switch pipeline. (What's Hot in 2002).(cholesterol-lowering statins could create new OTC category)(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
January 21, 2002... Nothing drives sales in the OTC business quite so much as a prescription drug suddenly made available to the general public. Maybe it's the fact that switch products quite often create entirely new OTC categories or, at the very least, breathe...

Survey says seniors consider Dietary supplements Essential.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.-- Seniors are avid dietary supplement users, according to a national survey released Nov. 15 by the National Nutritional Foods Association. Most older Americans--65 percent of adults over 50 years old--consider...

3M. (New Products).(licenses Disney characters for bandages)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... ST. PAUL, Minn. -- 3M announced a new licensing deal that will place popular Disney properties on Nexcare bandages this year. 3M already has launched a kid-focused line of adhesive bandages featuring characters from the recently released...

Perrigo. (New Products).(FDA approval to manufacture and market private label OTC tioconazole ointment and migraine-strength pain relievers)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... ALLEGAN, Mich. -- Perrigo received the green light from the Food and Drug Administration to manufacture and market private label OTC tioconazole ointment and migraine-strength pain relievers. Perrigo's tioconazole ointment is the equivalent...

Pharmation. (New Products).(plans introduction of women's health supplement)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... RIDGEFIELD, Conn. - Pharmation hopes to have its latest women's health supplement on shelves by the end of this month. Supplifem delivers a combination of soy (320 mg) and red clover (25 mg) that helps ease the transition through menopause. A...

Seesaw dieting propels diet aid sales. (OTC/Natural Health).(market overview)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... Last year's survey from the Calorie Control Council, a food and beverage association, found that as many as 25 percent of the U.S. population were actively on a diet and another 47 percent were making a conscious effort to control their weight....

Functional Foods. (Supplier Buzz).(signs exclusive distribution contract with CVS)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... BELMONT, Mass. -- Functional Foods has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with CVS and CVS.com for its Lean On Me weight management products. Lean On Me is a structured snack that can be used in conjunction with most diets. With only 45...

Metabolife International. (Supplier Buzz).(introduces new diet pill, snack bars)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... SAN DIEGO -- Metabolife International this month is a introducing EZ Tab Metabolife 356, a smaller coated version of the original formula. The new diet pill will be sold at $29.95 for a 90-count bottle. Metabolife also is introducing six...

Nature's Bounty. (Supplier Buzz).(introduces new diet supplement)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 21, 2002... RONKONKAMA, N.Y. -- Nature's Bounty relaunched its Xetalean diet supplement as XtremeLean in response to consumer research. "This name has more value to the consumer," confirmed Rich Scoza, vice president of sales and marketing at the company....

Revlon displays get a face-lift with new 'her wall' fixture. (Beauty Care).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... NEW YORK -- You've heard that old cliche, "less is more." That expression certainly rings true for Revlon's new cosmetics wall, "Her Wall." "We've gone... to fewer parts and pieces on the wall--which is a win for the retailer as well as...

Tight economy won't hurt beauty. (Beauty Care).(cosmetics market forecast)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... At a time when consumers are pinching pennies, they will continue to fork over dollars for their cosmetics purchases, according to industry experts. "Beauty is a category that should hold up fairly well [in 2002]," said Jason Fox, an analyst...

Unilever. (New Products).(to test market new toothpaste products)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... CHICAGO -- Unilever is extending its $600 million Suave hair care brand into oral care. The company will roll out three new toothpastes with the Suave name in a test at several different retail chains early this year. "We're testing a...

Johnson products. (New Products).(reintroduces hair relaxer, Gentle Treatment, with new packaging)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... HACKENSACK, N.J. -- Johnson Products' Gentle Treatment hair relaxer has received its first face-lift in the brand's 20-year history, emerging in September with chic, white packaging--a contemporary step up from the company's old pink box. The...

White Rain. (New Products).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... DANBURY, Conn. -- White Rain is rolling out several new items in March. Its Naturals line now will include freesia spirit and pearberry boost scents, as well as shine gel, anti-frizz gel and volumizing gel. All items in the line retail for...

Mark Freeman. (New Products).(new line of facial care products from pHree Labs)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... LOS ANGELES -- Mark Freeman has introduced the first new line under his new company name, pHree Labs. Totally Juicy is a line of facial care items for 15- to 25-year-olds, with names such as apple hot scrub and grapefruit sugar scrub. It...

Nestle gets green light on Purina purchase. (Consumables).(Nestle S.A., Ralston Purina merger named Nestle Purina PetCare Co.)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... ST. LOUIS -- The recent combining of Nestle S.A. and Ralston Purina's petcare businesses should generate approximately $260 million in savings. Those savings should be fully achieved by the end of 2003, according to Joe Weller, chairman and...

Coke digitizes ad archive. (Consumables).(Coca Cola contracts IBM to develop online archive for its advertising)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 21, 2002... ATLANTA -- Coca-Cola and IBM have teamed up to create an online archive of digitized images. Ranging from calendars created by Norman Rockwell to Coke's famous "Teach the World to Sing" TV commercial, the goal of the project--which has an...

7UP offers college basketball promo. (Cosumables).(soft drink promotion)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... PLANO, Texas -- 7UP this month kicked off a special basketball promotion that will continue through the end of March. Specially marked 12-packs of 7UP will feature $1-off coupons. The program also includes local market promotions offering...

Amstel tees up three-year PGA deal. (Consumable).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Amstel Light has signed an agreement to become the official beer of the Professional Golfers Association of America for the next three years. The deal promises Amstel prominent presence at major tournaments, including the...

Merchandising, sharp pricing drive consumables in tough Economy. (Consumables).(Convenience foods)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Convenience foods have helped turn the consumables category into a core department for many drug chains, and retailers are expecting more of the same in 2002 for a category that has driven some of the sharper sales increases at the front-end of...

Kellogg. (New Products).(Winter Olympics)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... BATTLE CREEK, Mich. -- Kellogg USA, the official supplier of cereal, waffles and toaster pastries for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and the 2002 U.S. Olympic Team, last month started shipping Olympic-themed packages, products and promotional...

Glory foods. (New Products).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Glory Foods, a manufacturer of convenient prepared Southern-style canned and frozen food, is introducing new packaging and new additions to its lines. New additions to the company's Southern Selections frozen foods...

Adams. (New products).(Teeth whitening chewing gum)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. -- Adams this month began rolling out Trident White, a new whitening gum indicated to whiten teeth in as little as four weeks, according to the company. Trident White uses a proprietary whitening technology that includes the...

Frankford Candys. (New Products).(New products introduced at Halloween)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... PHILADELPHIA -- Halloween 2002 is here with the unveiling of Frankford Candy's confections. The new licensed items will include Nickelodeon Sour Bites (characters include Rugrats, Sponge Bob Square Pants, and Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius), Hot...

The Fertile Hand. (New Products).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... FAIR LAWN, N.J. -- The Fertile Hand, a gourmet maker of natural snack foods, has introduced a new line of roasted organic shelled pumpkinseeds. Packaged in 4-ounce bags, pepitas were developed by a clinical herbalist affiliated with New...

Manco makes executive shifts. (General Merchandise).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... AVON, Ohio -- Manco has promoted Tony DeCarlo to vice president of strategic sourcing with responsibility for developing the company's current and future supplier/manufacturing base. DeCarlo, who most recently served as vice president and...

Panasonic promo sees sales surge. (General Merchandise).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... SECAUCUS, N.J. -- A special program with a Bashas supermarket in Arizona resulted in a 95 percent lift in sales for Panasonic's Alkaline for Digital batteries, compared with the months prior to the program. As part of Panasonic's Energy for...

Fuji veteran Dubner dies. (General Merchandise).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... ELMSFORD, N.Y. -- Fuji vice president and general manager for new business development Ron Dubner died of cancer in late October. "The entire photo industry and all of us at Fujifilm have lost a great friend," said Stanley E. Freimuth,...

Minolta exiting APS business. (General Merchandise).(digital cameras)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... TOKYO -- Minolta has ceased new product development of advanced photo system cameras as well as output of existing models, according to published reports. Minolta will focus its resources on developing new digital camera products. Five...

Aggressive pricing, promotions pay off in GM categories. (General Merchandise).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... Moving past the birth 01 a new year, chain drug retailers are working closely with their manufacturer partners to build sales, unit volume and profits in selected key GM segments that represent strong growth opportunities. Elaine Pollack,...

Gretag. (New Products).(Kiosks)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... HOLYOKE, Mass. -- Gretag unveiled two new consumer-operated digital imaging kiosks at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month in Las Vegas. The Digital Photo Station allows consumers to display, enhance and order photo-quality prints...

Manco. (New Products).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... AVON, Ohio -- Manco this month began rolling out Loctite Easy Brush super glue, which features a "no-tip" applicator to prevent spilling during use. The angled bottle is ergonomically designed for ease of use, and the precision-trimmed brush...

Noritsu. (New Products).(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... BUENA PARK, Calif. -- Noritsu has introduced the QSS-3001 Digital photo-processing minilab. With a maximum capacity of about 1,160 31/2-inch by 5-inch prints per hour, the new unit takes up 15 square feet of real-estate, and processes images...

Cleveland International records. (New Products).(patriotic songs)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... CLEVELAND -- Cleveland International Records has released a collection of patriotic selections on a 12-track CD that also includes a recording of President Bush's Sept. 13 address to Congress. The CD features songs from popular recording...

California Creations. (New Products).(plastic cards)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2002... BREA, Calif. -- California Creations has introduced Z-Cardz, a collection of plastic cards about the size of baseball cards with punch-out pieces that form 3-D models. The series features several different collections, including prehistoric...