Mass Market Retailers articles from April 2004

Mass Market Retailers archives from April 2004

Wal-Mart plan nixed.(Industry News; plans for Inglewood, California store defeated)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... WAL-MART PLAN NIXED: Voters in Inglewood, Calif., defeated a ballot measure that would have allowed Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to build a Supercenter in the working-class community. The final tally was 7,049 nays versus 4,575 yeas.

Ralphs closings set.(Industry News; Ralphs Grocery Co., closes 15 supermarkets in southern California )(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... RALPHS CLOSINGS SET: Ralphs Grocery Co., a unit of Kroger Co., will close 15 underperforming supermarkets in southern California by mid-May. According to the company, the closures are unrelated to the recently concluded grocery strike. All of...

Ahold holds auction.(Industry News; Koninklijke Ahold N.V. divests itself of BI-LO Inc. and Bruno's Inc. )(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... AHOLD HOLDS AUCTION: Ahold NV has reportedly initiated the auction of its Southeastern supermarket chains BI-LO Inc. and Bruno's Inc. The retailer had announced in February that it would sell the chains as part of a strategic overhaul designed...

Detroit food basics.(Industry News; opens 10 Food Basics grocery stores in Detroit)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... DETROIT FOOD BASICS: A&P has opened 10 no-frills Food Basics grocery stores in the Detroit metropolitan area. The units offer such perishables as produce, poultry, meat and seafood as well as national brand groceries. They also feature dollar...

Kings appoints CEO.(Industry News)(Kings Super Markets Inc.)(chief executive officer)(Dan Portnoy)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... KINGS APPOINTS CEO: Kings Super Markets Inc. has named Dan Portnoy president and chief executive officer, succeeding Jim Meister, who came out of retirement in October to lead the chain, which is owned by British retailer Marks & Spencer PLC....

Stater bros. debut.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... STATER BROS. DEBUT: Stater Bros. Markets has opened its third supermarket in Moreno Valley, Calif., and has broken ground on the site of another in Adelanto, in the high desert area of San Bernardino, Calif. The store will encompass 44,000...

Investors at Safeway speak out.(News)
April 19, 2004... PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Five major public employee pension funds began a campaign in late March aimed at changing the way Safeway Inc. has been run. In particular, their effort targets Steven Burd, the company's chairman, chief executive...

The new face of mass retailing.(Spotlight; various acquisitions)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- Two mergers that occurred within nine days of each other will redraw the map of mass market retailing and reshuffle the ranks of the leading drug store chains in this country. On March 26 Albertsons Inc. announced its agreement...

Repercussions felt after California strike.(supermarket strike)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... WASHINGTON -- One month after the supermarket strike that idled hundreds of grocery stores in southern California ended, retailers and unions alike continue to try to hammer out agreements in other markets across the country. Late last...

Mervyn's, Field's on the block?(News)(Target subsidiaries could be sold)
April 19, 2004... MINNEAPOLIS -- Target Corp.'s decision to consider selling its department store divisions signals a heightened focus by the retailer on its discount operations, particularly its supercenters. Target announced last month it had hired Goldman...

Romance at Wal-Mart.(News; store in Germany holding "singles shopping evenings")(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... DORTMUND, Germany -- On Friday nights single shoppers can do more than just shop for groceries at the Wal-Mart Germany GmbH Supercenter here. Customers can also try to find someone they may want to marry. Since November 2003 the store has...

Sears Grand debuts in Ill.(News)(Hoffman Estates Illinois)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears, Roebuck and Co. opened its second Sears Grand pilot store here earlier this month. The 201,000-square-foot store is designed to offer shoppers an easy-to-shop format for their family and home needs. "Sears...

Sales looking good.(News)(US retail sales figures)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- Early results indicate that retail sales continued to rebound in March after an extremely strong February showing. According to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), volume dipped in the last week of the month...

Costco does deal with teamsters.(News)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Costco Wholesale Corp. workers in four East Coast cities have ratified a new contract that increases wages and bonuses. Ratified by more than 10 to 1, it adds three years to a one-year contract ratified last September, bringing it...

Scoreboard.(Money News)(Illustration)
April 19, 2004... SCOREBOARD Quarter Dollar % RETAILERS Ended Sales Change Albertsons (1) 01/29 8.65 bil -5.1 Dollar General (2) 01/30 1.97 bil +11.8 Family Dollar ...

S&P rates Albertson's hybrid units "BBB".(Money News)(Standard & Poor's)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... S&P RATES ALBERTSONS' HYBRID UNITS "BBB": Standard & Poor's has assigned its "BBB" rating to Albertsons Inc.'s $1 billion of hybrid security units. The rating applies to the company's obligation to service the debt component and its obligation...

Target declares quarterly dividend.(Money News)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... TARGET DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND: The board of directors of Target Corp. has declared a quarterly dividend of 7 cents per share, payable on June 10 to shareholders of record on May 20. The dividend is the company's 147th consecutive payout...

J.C. Penney announces three-month payout.(Money News)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... J.C. PENNY ANNOUNCES THREE-MONTH PAYOUT: J.C. Penney Co. has declared a quarterly dividend of 12.5 cents per share, payable on May 1 to shareholders of record on April 9.

Fresh brands completes credit facility.(Money News)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... FRESH BRANDS COMPLETES CREDIT FACILITY: Retail and wholesale grocer Fresh Brands Inc. has completed a secured, three-year, $40-million, revolving-credit facility with LaSalle Bank and U.S. Bank. The credit facility will be used to fund the...

Whole foods issues second quarterly dividend.(Money News)(Whole Foods Market Inc. )(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... WHOLE FOODS ISSUES SECOND QUARTERLY DIVIDEND: Natural and organic food supermarket operator Whole Foods Market Inc. has announced that it will issue its second quarterly dividend. The 15 cents will be paid on April 19 to shareholders of record...

Biggest gainers.(Money)(Retail stores)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
April 19, 2004... BIGGEST GAINERS Close Change % Stock 04/02/04 vs. 03/05/04 Change Kmart 46.25 +13.74 +42.3 Winn-Dixie 7.56 +1.13 +17.6 Retail Ventures...

Biggest losers.(Money)(Retail stores)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
April 19, 2004... BIGGEST LOSERS Close Change % Stock 04/02/04 vs. 03/05/04 Change Delhaize 47.07 -9.58 -16.9 Kroger 16.55 -2.65 -13.8 Kohl's ...

Most active.(Money)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
April 19, 2004... Vol. (000) As a % Change vs. 1 Wk. Ended of Total 1 Wk. Ended Stock 04/02/04 Shares 03/05/04 7-Eleven 1,093 1.0 +112.0 Whole Foods 4,972 ...

Strikes hurt Kroger bottom line.(Money)
April 19, 2004... CINCINNATI -- After sustaining a loss in the fourth quarter, Kroger Co. saw fiscal 2003 income plummet nearly 75% in the wake of the strikes in southern California and West Virginia as well as other factors. Even with improving sales,...

Kmart turns a profit.(Spotlight)
April 19, 2004... TROY, Mich. -- Overcoming ongoing deterioration in same-store sales, Kmart Holding Corp. generated its first quarterly bottom-line profit since coming out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2003. The fourth quarter performance also...

Longs net up sharply in quarter.(Money)(Longs Drug Stores Corp.)
April 19, 2004... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Although fourth quarter earnings rose impressively at Longs Drug Stores Corp., higher-than-expected distribution costs and steep markdowns compressed gross margin and kept the regional chain from achieving its own target...

In wake of good year, Fred's plans faster growth.(Money)(Fred's Inc. )
April 19, 2004... MEMPHIS -- Although earnings rose more than 20% for Fred's Inc. during the fourth quarter and fiscal 2003, it was not quite enough to meet the high expectations of Wall Street analysts. Looking ahead to fiscal 2004, the company is accelerating...

Retail stocks uneven in quarter.(Money)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- Mass market retailing stocks ended mixed in this year's first quarter. In the period from December 31, 2003, to March 31, 2004, MMRs chain discount store stock index jumped by 12.9%, to end the period at 3,475.7, its highest level...

Pathmark earnings increase 24%.(Money)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... CARTERET, N.J. -- Aided by new stores and reduced expenses, Pathmark Stores Inc.'s net earnings rose 24% to $16.5 million in the fiscal year ended January 31. Same-store sales rose by 1.2%. The results include a $13.7 million pretax gain...

Albertsons expects profits to decrease in fiscal '04.(Money)
April 19, 2004... BOISE, Idaho -- Earnings from ongoing lines tumbled by more than a third at Albertsons Inc. during the quarter and year ended January 30, slammed by the southern California grocery strike. Earnings per share for the final 13 weeks were well...

Costco earnings advance 24.6%.(Money)(Costco Wholesale Corp.)
April 19, 2004... ISSAQUAH, Wash. -- With sales buoyed by the since-settled strike against supermarket competitors in southern California and prior-year profits hit by a charge, Costco Wholesale Corp. rang up strong double-digit gains in revenues and earnings...

Life stage is critical in choice of channel.(Opinion)(drug stores should expand marketing to seniors)
April 19, 2004... Chain drug store operators should not lose sight of their true core customers. With all the talk among retail executives about the importance of reaching out to mothers with young children, teenagers and members of other demographic groups, it...

Let's get real about Wal-Mart.(Opinion)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- Wal-Mart is getting a bum rap. The retailer that has altered the paradigm, landscape and nature of retailing in America and beyond; the company that American consumers have embraced as they have never embraced any U.S. company;...

Another round of mergers unlikely.(Opinion)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... The recent acquisitions of Shaw's Supermarkets Inc. by Albertsons and the absorption of Eckerd by CVS and Jean Coutu Group pose a tantalizing question: Is the retailing industry on the verge of another major round of consolidation? The...

Tesco raises cash.(Global News)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... TESCO RAISES CASH: Tesco PLC has sold 33 of its stores in the United Kingdom in a leaseback arrangement that raised $650 million in cash. The U.K.'s largest retailer sold the stores and two distribution centers to a joint venture company it...

China retail surge.(Global News)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... CHINA RETAIL SURGE: China's Ministry of Commerce predicts total retail sales will rise more than 9% this year to reach 5 million yuan ($604 billion). The retail sector gained 9.1% last year. Retail sales during the first two months of 2004 were...

Auchan shifts EDI.(Global News)(electronic data interchange)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... AUCHAN SHIFTS EDI: France's second-largest retailer (behind Carrefour SA), Auchan Group SA, is converting its supplier communications network from dedicated electronic data interchange (EDI) to the Internet. By the end of March 40 of its major...

Daiei 2003 sales flat.(Global News)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... DAIEI 2003 SALES FLAT: Japanese retailer Daiei Inc. beat its own projection of a 1% drop in sales by holding its top line steady for the fiscal year ended February 29. Executives said a strong February finish was fueled by the extra Leap Year...

M&S extends RFID.(Global News)(Marks & Spencer PLC)(radio frequency identification )(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... M&S EXTENDS RFID: British retailer Marks & Spencer PLC is extending its trial of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology this month to five stores, following a one-store pilot test last November. The trial will last until the end of...

U.K. planning change.(Global News; restrictions on big-box retailers in suburban or out-of-town locations eased)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... U.K. PLANNING CHANGE: Big-box retailers in the United Kingdom have won key political support for eased restrictions on developing large-format stores in suburban or out-of-town locations. Chancellor Gordon Brown has reportedly backed changes in...

Metro net advances 13.8% in '03.(Global)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... DUSSELDORF, Germany -- Metro AG, the world's firth-largest retailer, reported a double-digit gain in net profit for 2003 and predicted increased sales growth in 2004. Full-year net income rose 13.8% to 571 million cures ($702 million),...

China on threshold of change.(Spotlight)
April 19, 2004... SHANGHAI -- The view from the banks of the Bund in Shanghai epitomizes the country's rapid growth. On one side, families huddle around stoves cooking their suppers on the pavements of the ancient promenade. On the other bank lies the new...

Woolworths gives up on Big W format, will reposition stores.(Global)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... LONDON -- Woolworths PLC has pulled the plug on its 21 Big W discount stores and will down-size the outlets and rebrand them with its Woolworths banner. The Big W format was developed when the chain was owned by Kingfisher PLC. Current...

Carrefour adds to Beijing units.(Global)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... BEIJING -- After a three-year hiatus in store development here, Carrefour SA opened its fifth hypermarket in the Chinese capital last month. The unit, which measures about 116,000 square feet, is substantially bigger than any other Carrefour...

Boots will up capital investment.(Global)(Boots Company PLC)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... LONDON -- After listing a 4% rise in quarterly sales Boots PLC is lifting its capital investment in stores to spur growth. According to chief executive officer Richard Baker, the former Asda PLC executive who took the helm last year, the...

Asda will offer Levi's Signature jeans in 66 outlets.(Global)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... LEEDS, England -- The Asda PLC unit of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will begin selling the Levi's Signature line of jeans that debuted last year in the parent company's stores. Plans call for the collection to be offered in 66 Asda stores after a...

Ito-Yokado plans to open in Beijing.(Global)(Beijing Wangfujing Department Store Co.)
April 19, 2004... TOKYO -- Ito-Yokado Co., Japan's largest retailer in terms of sales, plans to open its first store in Beijing next spring through a joint venture with a Chinese retailer. The company currently operates five large general merchandise stores in...

A slimmer Spar Group emerges.(Global)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... HAMBURG -- After divesting several unprofitable divisions, Spar Group is nearing the completion of its turnaround, according to chief executive officer Fritz Ammann. While the company does not expect to be profitable this year, Ammann does...

Morrison set to move ahead.(Global)(William Morrison Supermarkets PLC)
April 19, 2004... LONDON -- William Morrison Supermarkets PLC finished fiscal 2003 with a 7.6% increase in net profit to 197.6 million [pounds sterling] ($363.6 million), on a 15.2% rise in sales to 4.94 billion [pounds sterling] ($9.1 billion). With its...

The French approach to Rx.(Global)
April 19, 2004... PARIS -- France is a country of pharmacies, often more commonplace on a city street than boulangeries; their neon green signs are often the only thing noticeable on an otherwise subdued street. With a population of 60 million and the...

Le Monopole Pharmaceutique Francais.(Global)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... The following are products that can only be sold through French pharmacies: * Medicines, by their composition, use or presentation (with the exception of "liberalized medications"). * Body-hygiene products and dietary items that...

'Pink Ribbon' TwinSpin power toothbrush.(Merchandising News)(Orowave LLC)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... 'PINK RIBBON' TWINSPIN POWER TOOTHBRUSH: Orowave LLC has introduced a 'Pink Ribbon' version of its 2-Minute TwinSpin power toothbrush featuring a likeness of the internationally recognized pink ribbon--the symbol of solidarity against breast...

Kellogg announces two additions.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... KELLOGG ANNOUNCES TWO ADDITIONS: Kellogg Co. has introduced two breakfast food items inspired by Walt Disney animated film characters. The additions are Princess cereal, which is available through the spring, and chocolate Mud & Bugs Pop-Tarts,...

Kiss My Face unveils Face Factor sun block.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... KISS MY FACE UNVEILS FACE FACTOR SUN BLOCK: Kiss My Face Corp. has introduced Face Factor, a facial sunscreen that is fragrance-free as well as water-resistant and offers SPF 30 protection. Formulated with such ingredients as alpha lipoic acid...

Chase introduces sunless tanning spray.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... CHASE INTRODUCES SUNLESS TANNING SPRAY: Chase Products Co. has introduced Colorspray sunless tan in high-tech aerosol packaging. Formulated with aloe and white tea extracts to condition skin, Colorspray lasts for seven to 10 days when applied...

Mike and Ike updates flavor and packaging.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... MIKE AND IKE UPDATES FLAVOR AND PACKAGING: Just Born Inc. has updated its Mike and Ike chewy fruit-flavor candies by adding more fruit juice flavor to a smaller-size piece. The four fruit-flavor products--Original Fruits, Tropical Typhoon,...

Think thin low-carb coffee-flavor diet bars.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... THINK THIN LOW-CARB COFFEE-FLAVOR DIET BARS: Prime Health Dietary Supplements Inc.'s Think Thin brand has introduced the Elite Coffee line featuring three low-carb bars--French vanilla latte, Mudslide expresso mocha and German chocolate coffee...

Acme offering online grocery service in Philadelphia.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... MALVERN, Pa. -- The Acme Markets Inc. unit of Albertsons Inc. has Implemented the company's online grocery service in Philadelphia and its suburbs. The supermarket chain, which holds the dominant share in the Philadelphia market, charges $4.95...

TV ad blitz by Big Lots under way.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... COLUMBUS -- Big Lots Inc. has launched a $45 million television advertising campaign intended to reinforce its positioning and build consumer awareness. The nine spots debuted in mid-March and will run through December. The ads, which...

Now it's called CMAR.(Spotlight)(consumer marketing at retail)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- Category management has evolved in the last few years into a discipline that goes beyond category boundaries and now places more emphasis on collaboration between retailers and suppliers. The most recent study by Cannondale...

Wal-Mart rolls out music downloads.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has launched its online Music Downloads service after a test period. The retailer is charging consumers 88 cents for each downloaded song from its web site--www.walmart.com. "Consumer response...

Home Depot Gift Registry debuts.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... ATLANTA, Ga. -- Home Depot Inc. has introduced an Online Gift Registry that makes it possible for customers to select 9,000 items as gifts for birthdays, weddings and other events. It is accessible at www.homedepot.com. "The registry is a...

Gillette expands in Oral Care.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... BOSTON -- Gillette Co. has entered an important oral care segment--teeth whitening--with the acquisition of the Rembrandt brand from Den-Mat Corp. "Rembrandt is a well-established, premium-price whitening brand with strong consumer loyalty...

'Black and White Period' over, M&Ms get new look.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. -- Masterfoods USA's M&M's Chocolate Candles are again available in colors, in January the company temporarily changed the candles to a black-and-white format and also changed the packaging. "The M&Ms Black and White...

Pepsi edge targets 'dual users'.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... PURCHASE, N.Y. -- Pepsi Cola North America is targeting consumers who drink both diet and regular colas with a new offering called Pepsi Edge. The new entry, which the company touts as a midcalorie drink, will start shipping to retailers in...

Best retail practices recognized by MPA.(Merchandising)(Magazine Publishers of America)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Wegmans Food Markets Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. were honored with a total of five Best Practices Awards at the Retail Conference 2004: The Marketing of Magazines and Books. They were among six retailer's that received the...

New spokeswoman for Neutrogena.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... LOS ANGELES -- Neutrogena Corp. has added actress Gabrielle Union to its roster of spokespersons. She will appear in television and print advertising campaigns for the company's premium skin, hair and cosmetics products. "Gabrielle Union...

Intros, sharp merchandising make it happen.(Grooming)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- While last year was a difficult one for many health and beauty aids segments, there are signs that the broad grooming products field may be on the verge of growth. Retailers and suppliers cite a number of trends that promise to...

Clean-shaven men found to have more appeal.(Merchandising)(Schick Quattro)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- Retailers could be seeing a spurt in sales of men's razors if the findings of a survey about women's attitudes toward facial hair on men become better known. Conducted for Gillette Co., the report revealed that almost half of...

As demand shifts, more retailers reallocate space.(Merchandising)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- A number of trends have combined to make men's grooming products a growing factor in the health and beauty aids aisle. For starters, it is simply more acceptable for men, especially young men, to show the kind of concern over...

Hair removers: new users, uses.(Grooming)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- Although sales of depilatories were down again in 2003, industry sources say several factors should help spark a turnaround in the category. They include, for example, ongoing fashion trends emphasizing the bare look. Suppliers...

Deodorants take a 'natural' turn.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- The deodorant category is feeling the impact of increased consumer concern about the products they use. As a result, suppliers are offering more natural deodorants, and many retailers are making room for them in their assortments....

Intros tout value-added features, packaging.(Merchandising)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- Industry sources point out that future growth in women's antiperspirants and deodorants will come from value-added features. There has been a growing trend to enhance the items' benefits, acknowledges Jim Geikie, director of...

Study: men's market is on a growth track.(Merchandising)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- The outlook is bright for men's grooming products, according to a recent study by market researcher Packaged Facts Inc. The report projects that sales of those products in the United States will grow by 4% this year from the...

ACNielsen tracks preferences.(Grooming)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- Women's hair-removal products are a significant part of the grooming items field, even though two segments, depilatories and shave cream, have suffered significant sales declines the last two years. Perhaps more than most...

Silky, soft and smooth are what women look for when shaving.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- Borrowing a page from the skin care category, suppliers of women's shaving creams and gels are promising multiple benefits to lure shoppers. Skin moisturizing and reduced shaving frequency are among the most frequently touted...

Chains try secondary locations.(Merchandising)(razors)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- American women constitute a huge market for razors. In fact, no fewer than 94 million women use manual razors and 5 million more use electric shavers. Last year these women spent more than $425 million on razors and other shaving...

Chains vary tactics in shaving products.(Merchandising)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- Shaving products are a high-volume business, but some items are also highly vulnerable to theft. As a result, retailers are merchandising them in a wide variety of ways. A survey of mass market outlets in New York City showed...

Men want to smell good too.(Merchandising)(Deodorants)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- To accelerate sales of men's deodorants suppliers are incorporating fragrances in their formulations and targeting young men who are looking for added value from the products they use. Industry observers point out that an...

Implements to get more play.(Grooming)
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- While sales growth in the grooming implements category is lagging, suppliers say that Americans' obsession with their appearance coupled with the growing popularity of upscale, salon-quality items should help revitalize the segment....

Removing unwanted hair made easy.(Merchandising; IdeaVillage Corp.)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... FAIRFIELD, N.J. -- Retailers can now offer three unique, portable devices from IdeaVillage Corp. to those seeking to remove undesired body hair. "Consumers spend about $13 billion on waxing and other hair-removal products, but removing...

The market.(Sales of over-the-counter drugs are expected to increase)
April 19, 2004... Sales of over-the-counter drugs are expected to increase by 11% between 2002 and 2007, driven by such factors as the continued aging of the baby-boom generation and the ongoing consumer demand for inexpensive and convenient health care...

Analgesics.
April 19, 2004... Pain relief is a big business for mass retailers. Demand for analgesics is certainly strong: More than 70 million Americans have arthritis (a number that is expected to increase as the population ages), another 45 million suffer from chronic...

Children's O-T-Cs.(Over-The-Counter drugs)
April 19, 2004... The Children's products segment has blossomed into a growth area of the over-the-counter remedies business, for a number of reasons. First is simple demographics. The "echo boom" has produced a large population of children. And, with the...