Chain Drug Review back issues from September 2006:
Rite Aid makes itself more competitive by bulking up.(News)
Sep 11, 2006 ... CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. is shoring up its position as the nation's No. 3 drug chain with its acquisition of the Jean Coutu Group's Brooks Eckerd Pharmacy subsidiary. The $3.4 billion deal will bring an additional 1,858 drug stores, as well as six distribution centers ...
Where next for Coutu in Canada?(News)(Jean Coutu Group )
Sep 11, 2006 ... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- With the sale of its assets in the United States leaving the Jean Coutu Group with a strong balance sheet and the consequent ability to readily finance an expanded Canadian operation, the company's management is still left with perplexing questions: Where, how and when ...
Krahulec, Rite Aid VP, dies unexpectedly at 60.(News)(Jim Krahulec)(Obituary)
Sep 11, 2006 ... SAN DIEGO -- Rite Aid Corp. vice president of government and trade relations Jim Krahulec died suddenly in late August while attending the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy & Technology Conference here. A statement issued by the drug chain the day after ...
Civello says Rx needs to go on the offensive.(Tony Civello)
Sep 11, 2006; ... SAN DIEGO -- Imminent decisions by the pharmacy community will make or break its future, industry leaders said at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy & Technology Conference here late last month. "This is the most important pharmacy conference we have ever ...
Hurricane Katrina: one year later.(News)
Sep 11, 2006 ... NEW ORLEANS -- On the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, many here and in other Gulf Coast communities still have justifiable complaints about the response from the federal and state government to the disaster--but no one is complaining about how retail pharmacy rose to the challenge ....
USA Drug names Courtright president.(News)(Joe Courtright)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... PINE BLUFF, Ark. -- USA Drug has named Joe Courtright, vice president of pharmacy for its Western division, the company's new president. He succeeds Terry Viala who left the company last month. The 40-year-old Courtright has been with USA since it acquired May's Drug ...
Merger at a glance (1).(News)(Table)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... <Pre> Merger at a glance (1) Rite Aid Brooks EckerdNew Rite Aid Stores (2) 3,319 1,8585,177 Associates70,20046,100 116,300 Revenue $17.27 bil.$9.50 bil. $26.77 ...
Canada's pharmacies evolve with market.(News)
Sep 11, 2006 ... TORONTO -- While preoccupied, as always, with competitive issues and the projected effects of new government interventions, Canada's chain pharmacies have not had to worry over much so far in 2006 about either the effects of inflation or the level of demand. Setting aside energy ...
Medicare Rx premiums to hold steady in 2007.(News)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... WASHINGTON -- The average premium for Medicare prescription drug coverage is expected to be about $24 a month in 2007, a figure that is the same as this year and 40% less than initially projected for next year. The drug benefit, which began January 1, is delivered by private ...
FDA O.K.s O-T-C sales of Plan B.(News)
Sep 11, 2006 ... WASHINGTON -- A "dual status" decision by the Food and Drug Administration will provide over-the-counter access of Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s Plan B to those 18 and older while maintaining a prescription requirement for the emergency contraceptive to women 17 and younger. ...
NACDS divests ChainDrugStore.net.(News)(National Association of Chain Drug Stores)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- ChainDrugStore.net has completed a management-led buyout from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, its former parent company. "Completion of this transaction marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in ChainDrugStore.net's history," says Todd ...
Drugstore.com offers help to Alaskans.(News)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Drugstore.com Inc. is responding to a report on high drug costs in Anchorage, Alaska, by offering all residents of that state a 5% discount on their prescription drug orders. The report, "Paying the Price," was compiled this past spring and released in July by ...
Even then, the handwriting was already on the wall.(News)
Sep 11, 2006 ... Editor's note: The following article first appeared in the June 7, 2004 edition of Chain Drug Review. LARGO, Fla. -- The phones no longer ring at Eckerd Corp.'s headquarters building on Tampa Bay. The offices are quiet, in an eerie, Rod Serling way, though Eckerd staffers remain ...
In your shoes.(News)(Cartoon)
Sep 11, 2006 ... "You do the work of somebody ...
NBTY agrees to acquire Zila.(Supplier News)(Zila Nutraceuticals Inc.)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... BOHEMIA, N.Y. -- NBTY Inc. has announced that it is acquiring Zila Nutraceuticals Inc., manufacturer and marketer of the Ester-C nutritional supplements brand. NBTY will purchase the stock of Zila for about $40 million in cash in a transaction that is expected to close by next ...
Milk beneficial for chains as well as consumers.(Supplier News)
Sep 11, 2006 ... NEW YORK -- Milk is being promoted as a beverage that can help consumers slim down. However, according to the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), it can also help drug chains bulk up their sales and profits. The organization notes that milk sales, by volume, increased ...
A tool for controlling sun exposure.(Supplier News)(SunCheck monitors )(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... DAYTON, Ohio -- A growing number of retailers, executives at Inno-Via LLC say, have become interested in the company's SunCheck UV monitors. Unlike other products on the market that help people know when they have been exposed to the sun for too long, SunCheck monitors are not ...
Deal takes Nutrition 21 into omega-3 category.(Supplier News)(Nutrition 21 Inc. acquires Iceland Health Inc. )(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... PURCHASE, N.Y. -- Nutrition 21 Inc. is purchasing Iceland Health Inc. in a transaction that will allow it to enter the omega-3 market. The combination of the two companies is expected to create a consumer health products business with broad marketing and distribution ...
Playtex Sport tampons make debut.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... WESTPORT, Conn. -- Playtex Products Inc. has introduced Playtex Sport, a tampon designed to give women confidence when their bodies are in motion. Executives describe Playtex Sport as "a major breakthrough in design to help active women get the protection and comfort they ...
Pharmavite shifts three key execs.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -- Pharmavite LLC has shuffled its management team, naming chief operating officer Connie Barry president and cochief executive officer. In addition, Steve Chopp, who has overseen the company's strategy and development efforts, has been promoted to chief ...
Preliminary injunction stops sales of Apotex' generic version of Plavix.(Supplier News)
Sep 11, 2006 ... NEW YORK -- A preliminary injunction has been ordered in a patent-infringement case over the drug Plavix, forcing Apotex Corp. to halt sales of its generic version of the medication. Apotex chief executive officer Bernard Sherman calls the ruling "erroneous in many respects" and ...
King of Shaves' Williams is honored.(Supplier News)(Philip Williams)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... NEW YORK -- Philip Williams, president of sales and marketing at King of Shaves, was recognized at the recent "40-Under-Forty" achievement awards ceremony sponsored by The Network Journal (TNJ) a New York City-based magazine that focuses on African-American professionals and small business ...
Energizer unveils phone charger.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... ST. LOUIS -- Energizer Holdings Inc. has introduced Energizer Energi To Go, a portable battery-powered device that is said to be capable of supplying power to the majority of wireless phones. Energi To Go Instant Cell Phone Charger, which became available through retail stores ...
L'Oreal teams up with Diane Keaton.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... NEW YORK -- L'Oreal Paris is debuting a national print and broadcast advertising campaign for Age Perfect skin care products, featuring the company's newest spokeswoman, actress Diane Keaton. Keaton's first-ever beauty product ads, for L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Pro. Calcium ...
Kimberly-Clark revamps diaper line.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... DALLAS -- Kimberly-Clark Corp. is replacing its line of Huggies Supreme diapers with two new premium Huggies Supreme diaper products that it says provide customized comfort to meet babies' changing needs. The company maintains that its new Huggies Supreme Gentle Care diapers ...
Imagenetix launches retail branding program.(Supplier News)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... SAN DIEGO -- Imagenetix Inc. has initiated a nationwide retail branding program of proprietary products that are sold through mass retail outlets. The first SKUs to be branded under the program will be the company's Celadrin-based joint health formulas, which will be offered ...
Net decreases slightly at Coutu in fiscal '06.(Business)
Sep 11, 2006 ... LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- Although its 2004 acquisition of some 1,500 Eckerd drug stores drove a double-digit increase in revenues for the Jean Coutu Group during fiscal 2006, net income for the year fell and fourth quarter results failed to meet analysts' expectations. The results ...
Longs continues to make gains in profitability.(Business)(Longs Drug Stores )
Sep 11, 2006 ... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Aided by declining interest costs and a lower effective tax rate, Longs Drug Stores parlayed a slight rise in operating profit into a double-digit bottom-line gain during the second quarter of fiscal 2007. With results leapfrogging over Wall Street's expectations ...
McKesson gets off to good start in its new fiscal year.(Business)
Sep 11, 2006 ... SAN FRANCISCO--McKesson Corp. began its fiscal 2007 year with a solid 12.6% top-line gain, but earnings growth was unable to keep pace due to the impact of charges. Still, per-share earnings before special items topped Wall Street's expectations. Net income for the three months ...
Rite Aid takes giant step forward with deal.(My Turn, Rite Aid Merges with Brooks Eckerd drug chain)
Sep 11, 2006 ... The initial reaction here and across the chain drug industry to Rite Aid's announced intention to buy the Brooks Eckerd drug chain was something to the effect that the proposed acquisition benefits Brooks Eckerd more than Rite Aid. On further reflection, however, the feeling here and the ...
It's getting tougher to be one of the 'little guys'.(My Turn)
Sep 11, 2006; ... The road traveled by regional drug chains and independent pharmacies is getting considerably rougher, and the future for them is filled with uncertainty. The phenomenal growth of Walgreens and CVS has created a chasm in the trade class between them and everyone else. Even with ...
CVS' purchase of Osco, Sav-on seen as strategic coup.(THE CVS EMPIRE GROWS, CVS Corp)
Sep 11, 2006 ... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Corp.'s decision earlier this year to pay nearly $3 billion for Albertsons Inc.'s freestanding Osco and Sav-on stores was one that will provide the drug chain with immediate benefits and help keep it atop the industry for years to come, according to executives. ...
A history of expansion through acquisition.(THE CVS EMPIRE GROWS)
Sep 11, 2006 ... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- Recognizing early on that bigger was better, CVS has used a series of mergers and acquisitions over the past decade and a half to transform itself into America's largest drug chain. For close to 30 years organic growth was at the heart of CVS' expansion ...
Retailer has savoir faire in branding.(THE CVS EMPIRE GROWS)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS understands a brand's value. In recent years the drug chain has been as successful as any retailer in the country at crafting an image and consistently communicating it to consumers. CVS is now applying that expertise as it assimilates the 700 Osco and ...
CVS once again makes assimilation process look easy.(THE CVS EMPIRE GROWS)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- After closing the agreement to purchase Albertsons Inc.'s 703 stand-alone drug stores in June, CVS is moving along briskly with its assimilation of the units. "We have been operating all the stores under our systems since the day we closed," says executive ...
'The start of an exciting new chapter'.(THE CVS EMPIRE GROWS)
Sep 11, 2006 ... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- With CVS in the midst of integrating its second major group of drug stores in the past two years and its fourth in the past decade, executives indicate that they are starting to master the process of bringing other retailers' outlets into the fold. "There ...
Bigger-format stores will test merchandising know-how.(THE CVS EMPIRE GROWS)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS' acquisition of Albertsons Inc.'s Osco and Sav-on drug stores will significantly increase the audience for CVS' exclusive brands and give the drug chain the ability to market a broader selection of items than it does in its East Coast outlets. With many ...
CVS demonstrates that 'it's a great learning organization'.(THE CVS EMPIRE GROWS)
Sep 11, 2006 ... SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- A smoothly running network of stores is about to be put into a higher gear. That is Dennis Palmer's assessment of CVS' integration of Sav-on Drugs units. As senior vice president of western operations for CVS, Palmer is helping direct its ...
Latest transaction adds strength to strength.(THE CVS EMPIRE GROWS)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS' purchase of Albertsons Inc.'s freestanding drug stores differed in one important respect from its previous large-scale acquisitions--the outlets it obtained were highly successful under their previous owner. CVS distinguished itself after its 1997 ...
Stores get CVS look.(THE CVS EMPIRE GROWS)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... CVS is putting its distinctive stamp on the Osco and Sav-on outlets that it acquired from Albertsons Inc. in June. CVS signage is evident in the pharmacy department (above) at the former Sav-on in Saugus, Calif., and banners touting the retailer's ExtraCare loyalty program are ...
SPFs become a 'must' in buying decisions.(Exclusively Skin Care)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... Three simple letters--SPF--have taken on growing importance in consumers' choice of skin care products. Standing for sun protection factor, SPFs are being formulated into an increasing number of skin care products, ranging from daily moisturizers to antiaging products. ...
'Skin care is complicated'.(Exclusively Skin Care)(Industry overview)
Sep 11, 2006 ... Skin care continues to be one of the hottest and most quickly evolving sectors in all of chain drug retailing. According to Information Resources Inc., sales in all except a handful of the 15 categories in the skin care market increased over the past year. The result ...
Depilatories play a complementary role.(Exclusively Skin Care)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... With nearly 80% of women continuing to rely on tweezing and shaving to remove unwanted hair, there is tremendous potential for growth in the depilatories market. "This is definitely a category that will continue to grow," notes Henry Kiwarkis, president of United States ...
Skin care gets individualized.(Exclusively Skin Care)
Sep 11, 2006 ... Skin care--especially items aimed at helping people retain a youthful appearance--will be one of the most active areas for product launches this year, researchers say. According to the Mintel Global New Products Database, more than 156,000 new products worldwide--or about one ...
Taking care of pores.(Exclusively Skin Care)(Kao Brands Co.)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... A recent study by Kao Brands Co. found that excess oil is the No. 1 facial care problem of women between the ages of 18 and 40. Based on that finding, the company has launched a shine control collection and a Pore minimizing collection under its Biore brand. Among the ...
ECRM tracks ads; aging baby boomers are primary target.(Exclusively Skin Care)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... A recent ECRM look at the advertising devoted to skin care underscores the increasing attention Americans are paying to their appearance. Data from the company's tracking of ads from major retailers shows that baby boomers are being targeted by promotions for everything from ...
Skin care finds a whole new audience.(Exclusively Skin Care)
Sep 11, 2006 ... Skin care is certainly no longer a category dominated by women. With the dramatic growth in the number of men using sophisticated cleansers, moisturizers and antiaging products over the past few years, the men's segment has become an important part of the overall category. ...
Latest hot trend is around the corner.(Exclusively Skin Care)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... The same bacteria found in yogurt could someday be used in skin care products. Researchers at the German chemical company BASF AG, working in collaboration with the biotechnology firm Organo Balance AG, say they have created an ingredient for a wide range of personal care ...
Mass retailers should get the truth out.(Exclusively Skin Care)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... According to Dr. Leslie Baumann, professor of cosmetic dermatology at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine and the author of The Skin Type Solution, there are several skin care myths that retailers should know about. Two of the biggest untruths that Baumann cites ...
Antiaging and much more.(Facial)(Skin creams)
Sep 11, 2006 ... Just as facial skin care is the star of the antiaging skin care category, chain drug stores remain the stars among mass market retailers merchandising the products. With the majority of facial skin care sales in the drug class of trade, Information Resources Inc. (IRI) reports ...
Advanced technology promises to do for skin care what it did for oral hygiene.(Facial)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... Depending on how it is done, washing the face can either improve the skin or dry it out. The primary inventor of the Sonicare toothbrush recently discovered a way to bring the benefits of sonic oscillation technology to the process. Pacific Bioscience Laboratories Inc.'s ...
Botanicals moisturize naturally, seductively.(Facial)(Kao Corp.)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... A number of products now combine botanicals with the latest in dermatological technology to bring optimum moisturizing to face and skin care. That is the prime objective of Kao Corp.'s Phytomax Lift Essence AA, a new skin care item that contains ginger extract and horse ...
Even the youthful worry.(Antiaging)
Sep 11, 2006 ... As the average age of the United States population increases, antiaging products have become the driving force in the skin care category, and chain drug stores are perfectly positioned to take advantage of this surge in sales. Attracting a slightly older shopper than other mass ...
New products empower; consumers move to total body care.(Antiaging)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... As the antiaging segment sizzles, suppliers continue to roll out a host of appealing products and line extensions. While the face category has been the focus of antiaging products, the body arena has received less attention. Beiersdorf Inc. recently took steps to rectify that ...
Nutricosmetics link skin and body care.(Antiaging)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... The desire to slow the aging process and maintain a youthful appearance without plastic surgery has inspired the beauty industry's latest innovation: the nutricosmetic. Kline & Co., a market research firm, has released a study that examines the trend, which links the cosmetics ...
An economical way to 'help turn back the clock'.(At-Home Dermabrasion)
Sep 11, 2006 ... Among the fastest-growing segments of the skin care market are dermatologist-driven treatments. And no products exemplify that trend more than at-home microdermabrasion kits. Americans are embracing nonsurgical methods of enhancing their appearance, say industry ...
Chains become skin care destinations.(At-Home Dermabrasion)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... A number of drug chains have enhanced their positioning in the at-home microdermabrasion category with distinctive skin care departments. One of the best examples of this phenomenon may be provided by Quebec-based Uniprix Inc. with its rollout of in-store Dermocosmetic Centers ....
At-home dermabrasion products an integral part of merchandise mix.(At-Home Dermabrasion)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... The competitiveness of the at-home microdermabrasion category was evident last month from the range of products and price points in the segment at New York City drug stores. A CVS unit had Procter & Gamble Co.'s Olay Regenerist microdermabrasion and peel system at $31.49. The ...
Exclusive lines in vogue.(Hand & Body)(Walgreen Co and CVS Corp. launches skin care products)
Sep 11, 2006 ... The importance of the hand and body category to drug chains is clearly evident at the industry's two largest players. Walgreen Co. is making a dramatic statement in this skin care segment with its launch of exclusive European lines, while CVS Corp. is already well established as ...
Diverse market demands differentiated products.(Hand & Body)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... As chain drug retailers target the growing Hispanic market, hand and body product suppliers are doing their part with new items formulated for Latin skin. Newhall Laboratories Inc., for one, has expand its La Bella brand--which is heavily marketed to Hispanics and the general ...
Retailers count on hand and body lotions to strike chord with shoppers.(Hand & Body)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... The appeal of hand and body lotions has earned them a prominent place in chain drug circulars. Rite Aid Corp., for example, featured Alberto-Culver Co.'s St. Ives brand in the "Perfect Pairs" section of a recent flyer. The Perfect Pairs program offers a "buy one, get one free" ...
'A segment women flock to'.(Hand & Body)(sales of toiletries industry)(Industry overview)
Sep 11, 2006 ... Hand and body lotion sales have been soaring, and suppliers and retailers are doing all they can to sustain that momentum. Dollar volume of lotions in drug stores rose nearly 13% in the year ended July 16, with Unilever's Vaseline Intensive Care posting growth of nearly ...
Capacity to beautify, emotional power animate skin care.(Hand & Body)(introducing skin care products)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... For all the attention on antiaging ingredients, moisturizers may be just as--or even more--important to hand and body products' appeal. Skin that feels good is paramount to women, and moisturizers--more than antiaging formulations--make for soft, touchable hands and bodies. An ...
Consumers respond to natural approach.(Hand & Body)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... In the hand and body lotion category, as in other H&BA segments, natural products are all the rage. "Skin feels very vulnerable to women, so they want to treat it as gently as possible," says one chain drug category manager. "To the extent that they can get hand and body ...
Products promise to do much more than clean.(Bath/Body/Spa)(Brief article)
Sep 11, 2006 ... Many consumers see the bath and shower category as offering affordable ways to pamper themselves and escape from their stressful lives. To meet that need, products need to offer more than the ability to clean. Fragrances are one part of the equation, and a number of suppliers ...