Drug Store News articles from March 2002

Drug Store News archives from March 2002

Retailers view Revlon changes as positive.(Revlon Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... NEW YORK -- Chain drug retailers, who have been critical of Revlon's trade relations and marketing initiatives over the past two years, are somewhat positive that the latest executive changes at the once-dominant cosmetics company will lead to...

Is Phar-Mor next on Snyder's target list?(Snyder's Drug Stores Inc. plans to acquire Phar-Mor Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... MINNETONKA, Minn. -- Fresh from its daring purchase of bankrupt Drug Emporium, the nation's feistiest regional drug chain appears ready to do it again. This time, the likely target is Phar-Mor Inc. Snyder's Drug Stores is in talks to...

Eckerd conversion program on track.(Eckerd Drug Co.)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... PLANO, Texas -- Eckerd expects to further narrow the profitability gap with its key competitors this year as it converts another 800 stores to a prototype design that helped boost sales and profits last year. Eckerd finished last year with...

Zellers reconfigures assortment to add one-stop-shopping appeal.(Zellers Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... AURORA, Ontario -- Zellers, a 350-store Canadian mass merchant, has moved toward a more closely aligned pharmacy, HBA and consumable assortment in an effort to make its stores more convenient for shoppers. Now, the effort has been branded, and...

Simon to bid au revoir to CACDS. (Retail News).(Monika Simon of Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... TORONTO -- After four and a half years at the helm of the Canadian retail pharmacy industry, Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores president and chief executive officer Monika Simon tendered her resignation Feb. 19 from the organization she...

Rite Aid's Miller disputes Moody's downgrade. (Retail News).(CEO Bob Miller objects to Rite Aid Corp. downgrade by Moody's Investor Service)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid executives offered a quick and steadfast response to Moody's Investor Service after the ratings agency downgraded Rite Aid's credit and debt ratings last month. Moody's downgraded by one notch its ratings on about $4...

Duane Reade urban prowess helps chain rebound from 9/11. (Retail News).(Duane Reade Holding Corp.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... NEW YORK -- With a bulk of its drug stores strategically placed along bustling Manhattan streets, New York-based Duane Reade is said to possess an urban expertise that sets it apart from the competition. That expertise was put to the test...

Brooks changing of the guard commencing at 80 Osco stores. (Retail News).(Brooks Drug Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... NASHUA, N.H. -- The 80 former Osco stores Albertson's sold to Brooks have begun to fly their new colors. The store at 331 Main Street here officially changed over in late January, according to a store associate. A sign in the parking lot...

Albertson's opens Omaha combo. (Supermarket Aisle).(grocery store/drug store)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertson's earlier this month opened its first food-and-drug combination store in Omaha, Neb., under the Albertson's/Osco banner. The new store in Omaha represents the third new market that Albertson's has taken its successful...

Hy-Vee names Jurgens president. (Supermarket Aisle).(Hy-Vee Food Stores Inc., Ric Jurgens)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- The privately held supermarket chain Hy-Vee, parent company of Drug Town pharmacies, has named Ric Jurgens president and chief administrative officer, making him only the third president in the 72-year history of the...

Harris Teeter rolls out pharmacies. (Supermarket Aisle).(Harris Teeter Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Keeping pace with supermarket competitors, Harris Teeter will expand its pharmacy operations this year with the opening of eight to 10 pharmacies in either new or existing stores that are larger than 40,000 square feet. ...

Increase in Medicap's Rx sales is yielding continued growth. (Retail News).(Medicap Pharmacies Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... DES MOINES, Iowa -- Calling the continued growth of Medicap Pharmacies "absolutely remarkable," chairman and chief executive officer William Kimball attributed much of the credit to the franchiser's turnkey owner/operator model. Medicap...

Shoppers outlines 2002 growth targets. (Retail News).(Shoppers Drug Mart Ltd.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... TORONTO -- Coming off a strong performance in 2001, Shoppers Drug Mart is positioned for another double-digit sales gain in 2002 and a high single-digit increase in selling square-footage. That's the prediction of Glenn Murphy, who assumed the...

Generic BuSpar clears last hurdle; BMS patent claims found 'baseless.' (Pharmacy News Briefs).(Bristol-Myers Squibb)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... PITTSBURGH -- The end of the long legal tangle between Bristol-Myers Squibb and would-be generic makers of the anti-anxiety drug BuSpar (buspirone) came into sight after a U.S. District Court judge ruled in favor of one generic company seeking...

Bush card not enough, says AARP. (Pharmacy News Briefs).(providing prescription drug coverage to Medicare recipients not enough for uninsured seniors)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration's proposal for providing prescription drug coverage to Medicare recipients doesn't go far enough to provide a comprehensive safety net to uninsured seniors, according to the American Association of Retired...

Evista gets cardiac OK in JAMA. (Pharmacy News Briefs).(Raloxifene study links drug to decreased risk of heart attack)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... CHICAGO -- An article in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association gave Eli Lilly's osteoporosis drug Evista (raloxifene) a big boost as a potential heart attack preventative. Researchers in a four-year "Multiple...

ChainDrugStore.net streamlines supplier, retailer communications. (Retail News).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- With much of its groundwork completed in the pharmaceutical category, ChainDrugStore.net has set its sights on new targets, including the OTC sector, an innovative merchandising calendar designed to help retailers improve...

Duane Reade has appointed former Target executive Kenneth Woodrow to its board. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... NEW YORK -- Duane Reade has appointed former Target executive Kenneth Woodrow to its board, bringing the board to eight members. Woodrow, who retired in December 2001, has held a variety of positions at Target, including vice chairman of Target...

ShopKo senior buyer Roger Grueneberg has left the company to join supplier Bausch & Lomb. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- ShopKo senior buyer Roger Grueneberg has left the company to join supplier Bausch & Lomb as trade programs manager for the central region. Grueneberg will work with retailers on category management initiatives. At ShopKo, he...

Meijer, which operates 152 supercenters, has restructured its leadership team and appointed co-chairman Hank Meijer as chief executive officer. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Meijer, which operates 152 supercenters, has restructured its leadership team and appointed co-chairman Hank Meijer as chief executive officer. He succeeds Jim McLean, who resigned as president and chief executive...

Pamida, a subsidiary of ShopKo Stores, has given Robert Hafner, its senior vice president of marketing. (People in the News).(new general merchandise manager for hardlines)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... OMAHA, Neb. -- Pamida, a subsidiary of ShopKo Stores, has given Robert Hafner, its senior vice president of marketing, the additional role of general merchandise manager for hardlines. Hafner assumes responsibility of hardlines from James...

Longs' pharmacy sales roll ahead, front-end lagging. (Retail News).(Longs Drug Stores)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--Longs Drug Stores, one of the largest pharmacy chains on the West Coast, eked out a slight comparable-store sales gain of 1.4 percent in January, which enabled the chain to close the year with estimated annual sales of...

Walgreens, states seal plan to curb tobacco sales to minors. (Retail News).(part of settlement with 40 states)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreens has agreed to step up its efforts to prevent the sale of tobacco products to minors. As part of a settlement with New York and 39 other states, an outside firm will do compliance checks at hundreds of randomly...

It's about time Drug Emporium, Phar-Mor hook up. (Viewpoint).(Gordon Barker leads Snyder's Drug Stores in takeover of ailing chains)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Finally, it appears someone has the wherewithal to combine the deep-discount drug chains Phar-Mor and Drug Emporium under one corporate roof. It's been a long time coming, but, especially in this case, the end result may turn out to have been...

Why aren't city kids a merchandising priority? (Viewpoint).(drug store target marketing)(Brief Article)(Column)
March 4, 2002... Drug chains may say that they want to reach the teen customer, but you probably wouldn't know that from walking into a New York City-area drug store. You would probably think that no teens shop in this town--or even live here for that matter....

Drug chains entice teen shoppers with high-turn displays and promos. (Special Report: Teens).
March 4, 2002... Drug store chains, hoping to spark front-end sales by attracting a more diverse group of shoppers, are trying vigorously to court teens-- males and females alike. In addition to expanding their product mixes to include more beauty care and...

FDA gives clearance to Eisai/Janssen to expand Aciphex indication. (Brand Watch).(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... The Food and Drug Administration has approved expanded use for Aciphex (rabeprazole sodium), a protonpump inhibitor, as a treatment for daytime and nighttime heartburn and other symptoms associated with gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Aciphex...

Schering-Plough's Clarinex receives more allergy indications. (Brand Watch).(gets approval for use against allergic rhinitis)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Schering-Plough's Clarinex (desloratadine), positioned as a successor to Claritin (loratadine), received the green light from the FDA to be marketed as a treatment for allergic rhinitis. The new indication broadens the drug's initial use as a...

King Pharmaceuticals becomes only company to launch Tigan in U.S. (Brand Watch).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Bristol, Tenn.-based King Pharmaceuticals launched Tigan (trimethobenzamide hydrochloride) in 300 mg capsule form, making King the only company to market the drug in the United States thus far. Tigan is used to treat post-operative nausea and...

Novartis Care Card offers discounts on ophthalmic drugs. (Brand Watch).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... With several branded discount drug cards now on the market, Novartis is highlighting the fact that several of its ophthalmic drugs can be purchased with its own program. Qualifying Medicare recipients can receive 25 percent to 40 percent...

HHS backs campaign to renew prescription discount card initiative. (Chain Pharmacy Category News).(Department of Health and Human Services)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... WASHINGTON -- It's back. Pharmacy retailers concerned about the impact of prescription discount cards on their profit margins should heed the words of Casey Stengel. When it comes to the Bush administration's unsuccessful attempt last fall...

NCPA moves to curb PBM influence. (Chain Pharmacy Category News).(National Community Pharmacists Association )(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... LAS VEGAS -- Retaliating against the relentless assault on community pharmacy's gross margins at the hands of third party payers, the National Community Pharmacists Association has launched a campaign to counter the influence and control that...

Merck-Medco sampling ups generic script counts. (Generics Watch).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... Physicians participating in Merck-Medco's Generics First program, a nationwide initiative promoting generic drug use, increased their year-over-year generic prescribing rates by 22 percent compared with other physicians. The analysis,...

Mutual Pharmaceuticals adds generic Prozac to portfolio. (Generics Watch).(receives Food and Drug Administration approval for fluoxetine hydrochloride)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... United Research Laboratories/Mutual Pharmaceutical Co. received Food and Drug Administration approval to market fluoxetine hydrochloride in 10 mg and 20 mg capsules. Fluoxetine is the generic form of Eli Lilly's antidepressant Prozac. The...

Barr gets OK to launch generic ADD drug. (Generic Watch).(Barr Laboratories receives Food and Drug Administration approval for attention deficit disorder drug)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Barr Laboratories has received FDA approval to launch a generic form of the attention deficit disorder drug Adderall (dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetimine sulfate, amphetamine sulfate) in 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg and...

Teva appoints Makov to succeed Hurvitz as CEO. (Generics Watch).(Israel Makov )(Eli Hurvitz)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Teva's board of directors selected Israel Makov to be the company's next president and chief executive officer upon the April 22 retirement of Eli Hurvitz. Hurvitz held the position for 25 years. Teva noted that Makov's merger and acquisition...

Alpharma unit joins roster of generic Ritalin makers. (Generics Watch).(Purepac Pharmaceuticals receives Food and Drug Administration approval for methylphenidate hydrochloride)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Alpharma indicated that its subsidiary Purepac Pharmaceuticals has received FDA approval to produce and market methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets in 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg forms. They will be sold under the Purepac label. Methylphenidate...

Are generic drugs the cure to Medicare's ills? (Special Report: Generics).(Statistical Data Included)(Industry Overview)
March 4, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Is there a generic solution to the Medicare drug debate? Yes, suggests a recently released Brandeis University study that caught the eye of congressional lawmakers and which may end up boosting efforts to provide Medicare...

Branded drug companies' future pain spells big gains for generic drug makers. (Special Report: Generics).(Industry Overview)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... NEW YORK -- It is quickly becoming an oft-quoted fact in certain industry circles, sometimes whispered, sometimes robustly proclaimed. An estimated $100 billion worth of brand name prescription drugs will lose patent protection by 2005, leaving...

GPhA, IGA meetings set for Florida in April. (Special Report: Generics).(Generic Pharmaceutical Association, International Generic Pharmaceutical Alliance)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The Generic Pharmaceutical Association and the International Generic Pharmaceutical Alliance will host their annual meetings at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Fla., April 8 through 12. GPhA's meeting will take place...

Central fill increasingly pushes productivity envelope. (Chain Pharmacy - Pharmacy Automation).(Statistical Data Included)(Industry Overview)
March 4, 2002... KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. -- The concept of filling or processing prescriptions from a central location--a groundbreaking idea as recently as three years ago--now has become a viable and almost preferred solution for retailers as they attempt to find...

BJ's selects pharmacy system. (Technology Briefs).(BJ's Wholesale Club announces PDX agreement)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... NATICK, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club, which expects to open its first pharmacies this spring, has selected PDX as its pharmacy systems provider. The warehouse club's first new units with pharmacies will be in Georgia, and an existing location...

Prism acquires TechRx unit. (Technology Briefs).(Carolina Services)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Carolina Services has agreed to acquire the claims reconciliation business from TechRx, a leading provider of pharmacy management and prescription fulfillment software. Terms of the agreement were not announced. ...

Record number attends ASAP show. (Technology Briefs).(American Society for Automation in Pharmacy )(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... BLUE BELL, Pa. -- The American Society for Automation in Pharmacy reported record attendance of nearly 200 executives at its technology conference, held in January in Isle of Palms, S.C. The meeting provided a forum for attendees to discuss...

FMI show to focus on legislation. (Chain Pharmacy - Category News).(Food Marketing Institute )(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... WASHINGTON -- With a focus on legislative and regulatory issues, the Food Marketing Institute will host its 15th annual Supermarket Pharmacy Conference from April 14 to 16 at the Caribe Royal Resort in Orlando, Fla. The 2002 event, which...

HMO group names health policy planner. (Chain Pharmacy - Category News).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The American Association of Health Plans, the nation's largest trade group for health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations, has tapped Jennifer Baxendell as its new executive director of public programs....

Slim Fast gets new look, focuses on snack replacement. (OTC/Natural Health - Category News).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... WEST PALM BEACH, Fin. -- Slim Fast this month is introducing an entirely retooled marketing program that not only reinvents the brand's proposition to the diet customer--not to mention its look--but also aims at reestablishing bar trial at...

First aid moves past scraped knees. (OTC/Natural Health - Category News).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... In recent years, the first aid category has enjoyed somewhat of a transformation--from a staid category defined by blase beige adhesive strips to what now is a wall of colorfully boxed bandages teeming with technologically advanced wound...

Bayer. (New Products).(likely to begin U.S. marketing of aspirin formulated for migraine relief)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... MORRISTOWN, N.J. -- It appears Bayer may soon emerge with a pain reliever formulated specifically for migraine headache sufferers--though exactly when remains a mystery. The Food and Drug Administration last month posted online its approval of...

Novartis. (New Products).(to debut chewable Maalox)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... SUMMIT, N.J. -- Novartis has introduced a brand extension to its heartburn remedy Maalox, scheduled to roll out nationally in April. Maalox Soft Chews with calcium carbonate will retail for $5.99 for a package of 30 chews and will be available...

Remington Health Products. (New Products).(liquid dietary supplements)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... FORT WORTH, Texas -- Remington Health Products last month rolled out its Drinkables brand of liquid dietary supplements, available in three formulations: Calcium3, Joint Care and Colloidal Minerals, wild berry flavored. Drinkables come in a...

Infomercial to shelf: Depilatories sales soar. (Beauty Care - Category News).(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
March 4, 2002... It's been a tremendous growth year for depilatories, and the future continues to look bright as manufacturers continue to support the category with new items and advertising. According to Information Resources Inc., depilatories was one of...

Three-blade shaving drives category. (Beauty Care - Category News).(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
March 4, 2002... If there were any doubts how the U.S consumer would react to more sophisticated shaving systems with higher price points, look no further than the impact brands such as Gillette's Mach3 and Venus, Schick's Xtreme III and the Bic Softwin have...

Avon. (Supplier Buzz).(beComing products expansion on hold)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Avon last month reported that it has placed on hold temporarily plans for the expansion of its beComing line of products--a line specially designed for sales in J.C. Penney stores--citing poor timing on the initial launch, which reached stores...

Tactica. (Supplier Buzz).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Tactica will introduce several new products this spring, including a launch into sun care: Bronzer, a self-tanner in a pump. The company also will launch two new extensions to Epil Spot: Sport for Men and Roll-on for underarms. And this month...

Unilever. (Supplier Buzz).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Unilever's relaunched Suave antiperspirant and deodorant line began shipping to retailers this month. The new line is divided into three sub-brand families: Silky Smooth, Performance Series and Naturals. All items are line-priced at $1.29 to...

Bic. (Supplier Buzz).(Bic Corp. looking for co-branding partners)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Executives at Bic say this year the company will be looking to partner with non-competitive manufacturers and retailers to create value-added promotions that pair the Bic brand with other popular brands.

Church & Dwight. (Supplier Buzz).(to introduce new Nair products)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... This spring, Church & Dwight will introduce Nair Vanilla Smoothies Bikini Cream and Nair Fruit Wax Strips-the first depilatory strips primarily targeted to teens. A lower-priced alternative, the Nair Spa Kit includes a microwaveable tub of...

Del Labs. (Supplier Buzz).(to begin shipping new Sally Hansen products)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Del Labs this month is shipping new Sally Hansen Spray-Off Hair Remover (suggested retail $5), and a Sally Hansen Brush-On Bikini Hair Remover Cream ($6).

Woodbridge Labs. (Supplier Buzz).(introduces Firminol-10)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Woodbridge Labs last month introduced Firminol-10, which it has dubbed "The Skin-Firming Miracle in a Bottle." The line includes three formulas: tummy, thigh and fanny. The launch is being supported with consumer print ads that began last month...

Gillette. (Supplier Buzz).(TV ad campaign for Oral-B CrossAction toothbrush)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Gillette has launched a new TV ad campaign to support its Oral-B CrossAction manual toothbrush. The spot broke in February and will air during a variety of prime time network and cable programs running through September. Gillette's new...

Procter & Gamble. (Supplier Buzz).(partners with Fuji on promotional campaign for Crest)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Procter & Gamble is partnering with Fuji on a new promotional campaign for Crest. For a limited time starting this spring, consumers who purchase Crest Whitestrips will receive a free Fuji disposable camera. "Pictures and tooth whiteners go...

Colgate. (Supplier Buzz).(launches Fresh Confidence Whitening toothpaste)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Colgate last December introduced Fresh Confidence Whitening toothpaste. Suggested retails are $2.99 for a6.2-ounce and $3.49 for 7.8-ounces. A $30 million ad support campaign kicked off in February.

Demand for whiter teeth transcends cost, age limits. (Beauty Care - Oral Care).(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... The tooth-whitening category of oral care has been hit with magic this year. One new item, Procter & Gamble's Crest Whitestrips, which launched last May with a retail close to $50, already has pumped $100 million in new sales into the...

SHOPA survey reveals that consumers go back to basics. (General Merchandise - Category News).(School, Home and Office Products Association survey of school supplies)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... DAYTON, Ohio -- Economical and fundamental school supplies upstaged those that were trendy and fashionable in 2001 as shoppers, worried over the weakening economy, watched their dollars, according to the annual School, Home and Office Products...

Traditional greeting cards are not folding to online cards. (General Merchandise - Category News).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... Despite reports that the Web has shifted the paradigm in card sending, the retail greeting card business remains alive and well and appears to be showing some modest growth in the wake of the Sept. 11 tragedies. According to household...

Igo Home Products. (New Products).(new line of battery-powered lightweight band tools)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... CLEVELAND -- Igo Home Products is rolling out this year the Kitchen Drawer Power Tools line of battery-powered lightweight band tools. First out of the box is the Grip & Drive Powered Screwdriver, which launched during the 2001 holiday season...

Staedtler. (New Products).(back-to-school promotion)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... CHATSWORTH, Calif. -- Staedtler's back-to-school promotion, "Setting the Standard," began early this month and will run through Sept. 27. Discounts in the promotion range from 10 percent to 40 percent, and retailers ordering before April 12...

Sakura of America. (New Products).(expands line of Gelly Roll pens)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... HAYWARD, Calif. -- Sakura of America has expanded its line of Gelly Roll pens to include Moonlight and Dark Stardust colors, bringing the company's offering to 65 items. Moonlight's 10 colors feature five shades that are visible under black...

Rayovac. (New Products).(promotion features CD-ROM games)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... MADISON, Wis. -- Rayovac is offering a promotion featuring free CD-ROM games with the purchase of two Maximum Alkaline Multi-card packs or two Maximum Alkaline Clear Value packs. The games, "Who wants to be a millionaire sports edition,"...

Travel Smart. (New Products).(Tranquility Sound Machine from Franzus)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 4, 2002... BEACON FALLS, Conn. -- Travel Smart by Franzus is introducing the travel-friendly Tranquility Sound Machine. The palm-sized device, which features eight relaxing sounds, including spring rain, waterfall and brook, has a 30-minute shut-off...

Cindy Crawford to promote Diet Pepsi. (Consumables - Category News).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... PURCHASE, N.Y. - Cindy Crawford will star in new Diet Pepsi commercials that will debut during the 74th Annual Academy Awards March 24. The new commercials, the first for Diet Pepsi since 1998, will introduce the brand's new packaging design,...

Kmart owes Sara Lee $40 million. (Consumables - Category News).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... CHICAGO -- Sara Lee Corp., whose brands include Hillshire Farms, Ball Park and Jimmy Dean, stated that as of Jan. 22, Kmart owed it about $40 million, according to a Dow Jones report. A Form 10-Q filed Feb. 12 with the Securities and...

ConAgra recalls 36,000 cases of soup. (Consumables - Category News).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... IRVINE, Calif. -- ConAgra Grocery Products has recalled voluntarily about 36,000 cases of Healthy Choice Old Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup because the product may have been mislabeled. The soups, which are labeled Old Fashioned Chicken Noodle...

Land O'Lakes to consolidate, cut jobs. (Consumable - Category News).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... ARDEN HILLS, Minn. -- Land O'Lakes is consolidating its foodservice and retail spreads manufacturing at its Kent, Ohio, facility, resulting in the closure of its Faribault, Minn., spreads plant. The move will result in the loss of 90 jobs. The...

Dr Pepper Spider-Man sweepstakes, marketing campaign to hit stores. (Consumables - Category News).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 4, 2002... PLANO, Texas -- Dr Pepper plans to court its 12- to 34-year-old target audience with a new multimillion dollar nationwide marketing and promotional campaign that will tie into the May 3 release of Columbia Pictures' action-adventure film...

Shaw's ups ante on private label with new Signature brand. (Consumables - Category News).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Shaw's Supermarkets, a recognized leader in the private label business--generating as much as 40 percent of its net sales in any given year--has introduced an upgrade to its existing corporate brand portfolio. By...

Coca-Cola. (New Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 4, 2002... ATLANTA -- Coca-Cola is expanding the rollout of its new Minute Maid Simply Orange juice drink into the southeastern United States. Simply Orange, which was launched last year in the Northeast, is available in supermarkets, grocery stores and...

R.M. Palmer. (New Products).(Its candy lineup for Christmas season 2002)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 4, 2002... READING, Pa. -- R.M. Palmer has unveiled its candy lineup for Christmas season 2002. Anchoring the new offerings will be several items based on characters from the holiday "clay-mated" kids' TV special "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer,"...

Link Snacks. (New Products).(Introduces Jack Link's Extra Tender Beefsteak Nuggets)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 4, 2002... MINONG, Wis. - Link Snacks has introduced Jack Link's Extra Tender Beefsteak Nuggets. The company's newest meat snack offering is 97 percent fat free and is available in flavors such as original beef steak, teriyaki and peppered. The suggested...

Eckerd, AHBAI donate funds to the UNCF. (Retail News).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... CHICAGO -- Eckerd and the American Health and Beauty Aids Institute have joined forces to donate $60,000 to the United Negro College Fund. Sales at Eckerd stores of specially marked AHBAI-member products generated the funds for the...

Rite Aid results remain strong at front end.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 25, 2002... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid has closed the books on fiscal 2002, reporting that total sales rose 6.5 percent to $15.1 billion for the 52 weeks ended March 2. The results allowed Rite Aid, the nation's third-largest drug chain, to pull a bit...

Longs lays out plan built around service.(Longs Drug Stores)
March 25, 2002... NEW YORK -- The management team at Longs Drug Stores has laid out an ambitious strategy that it believes will help the chain regain some lost sales momentum and better position it against the increasing wave of competition. Among the key...

NACDS responds to HHS with plan for unified Rx card.(National Association of Chain Drug Stores, PharmacyCareOneCard plan)(Brief Article)
March 25, 2002... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Grasping eagerly at alternatives to the Bush administration's controversial plan for a federal prescription discount card for uninsured seniors, chain pharmacy leaders are praising a new discount card program developed by the...