MMR: Mass Market Retailers - The Global Newspaper for Supermarket, Drug, Discount Chains

Retail sales show ‘off the chart’ gains vs. 2020

April sales dip from March, but up strongly year-over-year

SEG gives loyalty program a boost

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Southeastern Grocers on Thursday enhanced its shopper loyalty program with the launch of “rewards Boosters,” which are designed to give customers personalized offers via game-like challenges. “At Southeastern Grocers, we believe in connecting with our customers on a personal level, whether that

Meijer opens three new supercenters

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— Meijer has opened three new 155,000-square-foot supercenters, Meijer president and CEO Rick Keyes said Thursday. Located in Seven Hills and Boardman, Ohio, and Westfield, Indiana, the new stores promise “a state-of-the-art shopping experience,” providing customers multiple ways to shop in a specialty

Rite Aid expands vaccine age eligibility

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid said it is administering COVID-19 vaccines to anyone 12 or older at all locations offering the Pfizer vaccine, following the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Guardians for individuals under 18 can now schedule appointments

CRN names new chair of Retailer Relations Forum

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the leading trade association for the dietary supplement and functional food industry, has named Todd Johnson, senior director of Field Sales at i-Health, a subsidiary of DSM, as the new chair of CRN’s Retailer Relations Forum (RRF).

Giant Food releases Better Neighbor Report

LANDOVER, Md. — Giant Food has released its first Better Neighbor Report, a comprehensive account of 2020’s giving, partnerships and innovation as part of its efforts to consistently be a Better Place to Shop, a Better Place to Work and a Better Neighbor to the individuals

RETAIL NEWS

NACDS applauds Alabama PBM law

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is hailing Republican Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey for signing into law legislation (Act 2021-341) on May 6 which further regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and helps ensure that reimbursement rates cover pharmacies’ costs of purchasing

Ahold Delhaize sees continued growth in Q1

ZAANDAM, the Netherlands — Ahold Delhaize showed continued growth against tough comparisons in the first quarter. Net sales were €18.3 billion ($22.1 billion), up 5.8% at constant exchange rates. Comparable sales excluding gas grew 1.7%, and were up 15.5% compared to 2019. Online sales were

Merchants call on Fed to cut debit card swipe fees

WASHINGTON – The Merchants Payments Coalition on Tuesday called for the Federal Reserve to revise debit card swipe fee rules to reflect lower bank costs. The swipe fee regulations were adopted a decade ago, and a new Fed report shows that banks’ average cost of

Albertsons Cos. offering walk-in vaccines

BOISE, Idaho — COVID-19 vaccines are now available on a walk-in basis at Albertsons Cos. pharmacies nationwide, the company announced Tuesday. Albertsons Cos. has pharmacies at its Safeway, Vons, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, Acme, Shaw’s, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Market Street, Haggen and Carrs chains. “We

CVS offers same-day prescription delivery

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Pharmacy has upgraded the CarePass program to offer same-day prescription delivery for eligible members through an expanded partnership with Shipt. Members may also add everyday wellness essentials to their prescription delivery, including selected items from categories like vitamins, digestive health, pain

SUPPLIER NEWS

GSK launching fully recyclable toothpaste tubes

LONDON – GSK Consumer Healthcare (GSKCH) announced Thursday that it is partnering with two global packaging suppliers to launch fully recyclable toothpaste tubes across its specialist and science-based oral health brands, including Sensodyne, parodontax and Aquafresh. The first partnership, with strategic packaging supplier, Albea, which

Unilever teams with CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever is partnering with CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid to encourage shoppers to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines through digital touchpoints. This comes out of a partnership with the Ad Council’s #ItsUpToYou campaign, which aims to ensure that the American public

SKYN launches new condom

ISELIN, N.J. — SKYN is introducing Excitation, a new condom that features a wave design with raised dots on the most sensitive areas. The latest addition to the SKYN line of polyisoprene condoms, SKYN Excitation, also features a long-lasting, ultra-smooth cooling lubricant to maximize stimulation

Herbal Essences celebrates 50 years

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble Co.’s Herbal Essences is marking its 50th anniversary and in honor of that, the brand is inviting fans to celebrate their favorite hair moments through a #ScentBack journey on TikTok and Instagram. Everyone is invited to relive their favorite hair

BIC partners with Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart

SHELTON, Conn. — BIC has teamed up with entertainment legend Snoop Dogg and lifestyle innovator Martha Stewart and Marquee Brands to launch a new advertising campaign for the BIC EZ Reach lighter. The partnership, which extends into 2022, begins with the release of “Pass It,”