🔵 Welcome to the Mass Market Retailers Live Blog from the NACDS Total Store Expo in San Diego!
SAN DIEGO — Our Live Blog from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Total Store Expo 2025 in San Diego has concluded.
🔵 Scroll down or click here to see our complete coverage of TSE 2025.
Thank you for following along!
🔵 NACDS names 2025 TSE Product Showcase Winners
August 25, 7 p.m. EST — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced the winners of the 2025 NACDS Total Store Expo Product Showcase, shining a light on the new products that will help shape the future of pharmacy and consumer goods. This year’s event brought together pharmacy leaders, suppliers, and retailers with a shared purpose: to find the next wave of products that will help customers and communities thrive.
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🔵 NACDS leaders call for action at TSE 2025
August 24, 11 a.m. EST — At the Business Program, NACDS Chair Rick Gates said, “What I’ve always loved about this event is that it’s where partnerships start, where innovations emerge, and where good conversations turn into real opportunities.” NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson added, “Many of you are new to NACDS. I think that illustrates what a vibrant and robust organization NACDS has become. It bodes well for the future of our industry, and for this great association.”
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🔵 WCC Biomedical Debuts WINMAP Microneedle Patches at TSE
August 24, 6 p.m. EST — Taiwan-based WCC Biomedical introduced its WINMAP microneedle patch technology to U.S. buyers at NACDS TSE. The company, which has spent 11 years developing and manufacturing MAPs, is making its brand debut with pain-relief and supplement patches. Company representatives stated that retailers showed strong interest, with the next steps focused on e-commerce and regulatory approvals.
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🔵 Improvia Redefining a “Stale” Category
August 24, 5 p.m. EST — Twins Ben and Mendy, inspired by caring for an older relative during COVID, launched Improvia in 2021 to sell washable, eco-friendly incontinence pads. After developing more than 100 prototypes, the startup has sold over $35 million worth of products online and is now expanding into retail. Their mission — to provide caregivers with affordable, sustainable, and dignified solutions — aligns with themes highlighted at NACDS TSE, where AARP shared findings from its Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 showing that 63 million Americans now provide complex, often unsupported, care.
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🔵 NACDS Foundation raises over $1.4 million
August 23, 22 p.m. EST — The NACDS Foundation raised more than $1.4 million at its 27th Annual Dinner during TSE, bringing together 500+ leaders. Academy Award-winner Geena Davis headlined the evening, while Dr. Julie Akers received the Cultivating Innovation in Care Award. NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson highlighted the Foundation’s role in advancing localized care delivery, and President Sara Roszak emphasized the power of collaboration in driving healthcare innovation.
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🔵 TSE 2025 show floor opens
August 24, 11 a.m. EST — Sunday at TSE kicked off with the NACDS Business program in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina.
See pictures here
🔵 Business Program kicks off Sunday at TSE
August 24, 11 a.m. EST — Sunday at TSE kicked off with the NACDS Business program in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina.
Steven C. Anderson, President and CEO of NACDS, spoke about the challenges, opportunities, and future of the industry during a time of immense change.
Rick Gates, Senior Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer at Walgreens Co. and NACDS Chair, discussed the work NACDS is undertaking to advance its members' agendas and the ways they can collaborate to achieve their goals.
The event concluded with a keynote address by Peter Diamandis, MD, Founder and Executive Chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation, as well as Executive Founder and Director of Singular University. He spoke about rapid technological advancements and opportunities in AI, robotics and more.
🔵 Chain Drug Review brings pharmacy leaders together at NACDS roundtable
August 23, 5 p.m. EST — The Chain Drug Review Roundtable on Critical Issues in Community Pharmacy just wrapped up at NACDS Total Store Expo. Pharmacy leaders from Walgreens, Walmart, Health Mart, Meijer, Publix, and Good Neighbor Pharmacy, along with supplier partners including Inmar Intelligence, Kearney, XiFin Pharmacy Solutions, EmpiRx Health, and KNAPP, joined the event. Moderated by Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Woldt, the discussion covered pharmacy care models, PBM reform, immunizations, and health care technology. Full coverage will be featured in the October issue of Chain Drug Review.
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🔵 Caregiving and aging consumers take center stage at TSE with AARP
August 23, 5 p.m. EST — At the TSE Special Session “Harnessing the Economic Power of Family Caregivers and Older Adults – Opportunities for Retailers and CPGs”, AARP leaders shared new findings on how family caregivers and older adults are reshaping retail and CPG. Panelists highlighted strategies to build trust, enhance accessibility, and capitalize on the growing economic influence of these consumers.
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🔵 Athletes share leadership lessons at NACDS TSE
August 23, 3 p.m. EST — At NACDS TSE, the WE session “Fueling Success: How Athletes Harness Collaboration, Resilience, and Wellness for Business & Life” showed how sports shape leadership.
The Emerson Group's Elizabeth Karvonen moderated a panel with Amanda Coussoule (Kenvue), Jill Fitzgerald (Market Performance Group), Colleen Lindholz (Kroger Health), and former NCAA athlete Faith Masonius.
Key takeaways: Sports build focus, accountability, and teamwork.
Resilience from the playing field powers leadership in business and life.
Read more here
Exhibitors set up for tomorrow's TSE show floor
August 23, 1 p.m. EST — Exhibitors are preparing for tomorrow's TSE show opening at the San Diego Conference Center. The floor opens tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. EST.
See pictures of the preparations
retailmediaIQ breakfast panel on regionals held in packed auditorium
August 23, 11:00 a.m. EST – Regional drug chains and supermarkets are on the rise. To understand why, retailmediaIQ held a breakfast meeting at NACDS Total Store Expo, featuring leaders from four growing regional chains: John Marraffa Jr., president of Kinney Drugs; Jim Tsipakis, president of supermarkets and pharmacy at Giant Eagle; Aaron Wiese, president of Hy-Vee; and Mike Wysong, chief executive officer of Care Pharmacies.
Jeffrey Woldt, editor-in-chief of retailmediaIQ, led a discussion in a packed ballroom on key topics, including the significance of regionals' community roots, their capacity for rapid market adaptation, diversification strategies, and relationships with consumer packaged goods companies.
