Costco to raise membership fees in September
Costco Wholesale Corp. said it will increase its annual membership fees in the United States and Canada, effective September 1.
Scot Meyer
WBA appoints Dr. William Shrank to board
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) today announced the appointment of Dr. William Shrank to the company’s board of directors. Dr. Shrank is globally recognized for his leadership and expertise in health care strategy, policy and population health.
WSJ: FTC plans to sue PBMs over insulin prices
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is planning to sue UnitedHealth, Cigna and CVS Health — the three largest pharmacy-benefit managers — over their tactics for negotiating prices for drugs including insulin, the Wall Street Journal reported today.
Most back-to-school shopping to happen in stores
Stores remain the preferred destination for back-to-school shopping, according to Sensormatic Solutions’ 2024 U.S. Back-to-School Consumer Sentiment Survey, which found that 74% of consumers plan to conduct their back-to-school shopping in-store.
NRF Releases 2024 List of Top 100 Retailers
WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation has released its annual list of the Top 100 Retailers. Compiled by Kantar, the list ranks the industry’s largest retail companies by their U.S. sales.
NACDS: Initial findings of FTC’s PBM study demand action
National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steven Anderson issued the following statement after the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) release today of an interim staff report on the harmful tactics of pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) – the pharmaceutical middlemen: “The FTC’s initial
Store brands set new market share records
Store brands reached all-time highs in both unit and dollar share during the first six months of 2024, compared to the same period a year ago, according to new Circana sales data provided exclusively to PLMA. Unit market share was 22.9% and dollar market share was 20.4%, as of June 16. “These
Kroger lists stores it will divest for merger deal
Kroger Co. has identified the 579 stores and other assets it will divest if its planned $24.6 billion merger with Albertsons Cos. goes through. The 579 stores owned by both retailers are located in 18 states and Washington D.C.
LeBlanc named merchandising VP for beauty, personal care at CVS
Michelle LeBlanc was appointed vice president of merchandising for beauty, personal care and Hispanic Center of Excellence (CoE) by CVS Health.
NRF’s Kleinhenz: Economy is in ‘critical moment’
WASHINGTON – As inflation continues to ease and the Federal Reserve ponders when to lower interest rates, the nation is in a “critical moment” of waiting to see what will happen next, according to National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz.
Hy-Vee Aisles Online adds PayPal Express Checkout, Venmo
Hy-Vee is collaborating with PayPal that aims to give the retailer’s online customers more convenient payment options. Customers using the retailer’s Aisles Online platform for grocery pickup and delivery orders can now pay for their orders using PayPal or Venmo.
Coresight Research: Store openings to outpace closings
Retailers are planning to open more stores than they close this year, according to a mid-year tally by Coresight Research. The firm noted on July 4 that planned and announced retail store openings for 2024 total more than 4,200.
CRN challenges denial of preliminary injunction
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has filed its appellate brief in the U.S.
Kroger to woo customers with ‘Boost Bonus Days’
The Kroger Co. has announced a mega-sales event that promises to give members of its “Boost by Kroger Plus” premium loyalty rewards program exclusive access to more than $60 in savings during a two-week sales event running from July 10 to July 23.
Video Forum: Sally Lyons Wyatt, Circana
In the second of two installments, Sally Lyons Wyatt, global executive vice president and chief advisor for consumer goods and foodservice insights at Circana, talks about the changes that traditional supermarkets need to make to attract and retain younger shoppers.
Older Consumers Worth Wooing
Retailers and CPG companies focus their marketing efforts mainly on younger consumers, who they see as critical to their future growth. Fair enough. But older customers have a lot of money to spend.