January 11, 2021 by David Pinto
David Pinto, H-E-B, Retailer of the Year 2020
2021, Featured Articles, Issue 01-11-2021, Issues, Leading Headlines, Retail News

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — For the first time in its 35-year publishing life, the editors of MMR have chosen not one but two Retailers of the Year. One of the retailers chosen is — no surprise here — Target, one of America’s two premiere discount retailers. The other — equally unsurprising — is H-E-B, the
January 11, 2021 by MMR
Retailer of the Year for 2020, Target
2021, Featured Articles, Issue 01-11-2021, Issues

MINNEAPOLIS — Target is one of a select group of retailers that have been able to respond effectively to the extraordinary challenges that 2020 presented to the industry and go on to perform at a level far beyond expectations. It is also one of a smaller and more select group of companies that reacted immediately
January 11, 2021 by MMR
Dollar General, Mass Market Retailers’ Merchant of the Year 2020
2021, Featured Articles, Issue 01-11-2021, Issues, Leading Headlines, Retail News

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — In a year that saw Dollar General celebrate the grand opening of its 17,000th store, unveil a new brand (pOpshelf) and serve as an essential resource during the pandemic, the retailer’s merchandising team was focused on advancing Dollar General’s sophisticated strategy to best serve its customers. We are proud to honor that
January 11, 2021 by MMR
mass market retailers, omnichannel, Omnichannel Retailer of the Year for 2020, Walmart
2021, Featured Articles, Issue 01-11-2021, Issues, Leading Headlines, Retail News

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is reaping success by effectively pursuing an omnichannel strategy that capitalizes on its formidable assets — including 4,700 stores and warehouse clubs in the United States — while investing heavily in innovation. It is not, however, a strategy limited to the U.S. Among Walmart’s international markets, Canada, Mexico and China in
January 11, 2021 by MMR
Albertsons, Mark Panzer, Osco Drug, Pharmaca, Rite Aid
2021, Featured Articles, Issue 01-11-2021, Issues, Leading Headlines, People

BOISE, Idaho — Since going to work at an Osco Drug store in Chicago as a 15-year-old high school student in early 1972, Mark Panzer has been a force in retail pharmacy. With hard work and the inspiration of role models, Panzer carved out a career in retailing that the editors at Mass Market Retailers
January 11, 2021 by MMR
Alva-Amco Pharmacal Cos., Jeff Gerchenson, Mass Market Retailers’ Lifetime Achievement Award.
2021, Featured Articles, Issue 01-11-2021, Issues, Leading Headlines, People, Supplier News

NILES, Ill. — The family ties that built Alva-Amco Pharmacal Cos. span more than a century and four generations. At the heart of both the family and the company has been Jeff Gerchenson, who worked for the over-the-counter drug producer for over 50 years, leading its growth for decades and cementing its status as a
January 11, 2021 by MMR
holiday sales
2021, Issue 01-11-2021
NEW YORK — Overall retail sales grew modestly during the year-end holidays, although e-commerce spending boomed as many consumers opted to shop from home with COVID-19 surging anew across most of the country. According to preliminary data collected by Mastercard Spending Pulse, retail sales (excluding automotive and fuel) for the expanded holiday season stretching from
January 11, 2021 by David Pinto
Chain Drug Review, CVS Health, David Pinto, Larry Merlo, Lifetime Achievement Award, MMR
2021, Issue 01-11-2021, Issues
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MMR’s sister publication Chain Drug Review has honored Larry Merlo, chief executive officer of CVS Health, with its Lifetime Achievement Award. It was not a difficult decision. In 10 years as CVS’ CEO, Merlo has remade the company, leading it into the next generation of health care while simonizing its appeal to
January 11, 2021 by MMR
COVID-19, HHS, pharmacies, vaccines
2021, Issue 01-11-2021, Issues
NEW YORK — With effective vaccines winning approval from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the fight against COVID-19 has entered a new stage, one marked by hope and promise. In the front ranks of those administering the vaccines stand the pharmacies of several mass market retail chains as well as independent pharmacies.
January 11, 2021 by David Pinto
daivid pinto, MMR, Retailer of the Year
2021, Issue 01-11-2021, Issues
Thirty-five years have passed since the initial issue of Mass Market Retailers rolled off the press. During that time, the editors of MMR have unfailingly named a Retailer of the Year each January. Our editors had much to choose from, for our definition of mass market retailers included grocery, chain drug and discount retailers. The
January 11, 2021 by Jeffrey Woldt
Arkansas, Jeffrey Woldt, PBMs, retail pharmacies
2021, Issue 01-11-2021, Issues
The Supreme Court’s decision in Rutledge v. PCMA to uphold Arkansas’ right to regulate pharmacy benefits managers signals a turning point in the protracted battle to make the relationship between PBMs and retail pharmacies more equitable. In a unanimous ruling (Justice Amy Coney Barrett did not hear the case), the court found that an Arkansas
January 11, 2021 by Scot Meyer
2020, 2021, COVID-19, mass retail, new year, Scot Meyer
2021, Issue 01-11-2021, Issues
The arrival of a new year can be a time for hope, and that is especially true as the world puts 2020 in its rear view mirror. The approval of two COVID-19 vaccines, with more potentially on the way, will likely mark the beginning of the end for a pandemic that shook the U.S. economy,