Pilot Pen G2 Edge

Issue 01-25-2021

Walmart E-commerce CEO Lore is departing

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Marc Lore, who helped spearhead Walmart’s transformation into an omnichannel retailer, is leaving the company on January 31. He will continue to serve Walmart as a strategic advisor until September, the company said. In a company email, Walmart president and chief executive officer Doug McMillon credited Lore with helping accelerate Walmart’s e-commerce

Holiday sales soared a surprising 8.3%

WASHINGTON — Retail sales during 2020’s November-December holiday season grew an unexpectedly high 8.3% over the same period in 2019 to $789.4 billion, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). Online and other non-store sales increased 23.9% to $209 billion. NRF chief economist Jack Kleinhenz said consumers shifted into high gear in December, giving the

WBA begins 2021 with major moves

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The chaotic U.S. health care landscape is clearly one filled with opportunity to Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), which has launched several new initiatives since the start of the year. During a recent presentation at the virtual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference, WBA executive vice president and chief financial officer James Kehoe described the industry

CVS names Peluso, Havanec to leadership roles

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health has focused on people with two recent appointments, tapping Michelle Peluso to serve as the company’s first chief customer officer and naming Laurie Havanec executive vice president and chief people officer. In a newly created executive leadership role, Peluso will be responsible for transforming the consumer experience and accelerating CVS

Impact of AI and machine learning is being felt inside stores

NEW YORK — After years of talk about the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning to transform retail operations, the tools are beginning to make an impact in brick-and-mortar stores, as well as e-commerce. “Customer-driven commerce: How predictive, personalized digital fulfillment capabilities are transforming consumer experiences,” a session at the National Retail Federation’s Big

Imports set record last year despite COVID, and remain high

WASHINGTON — According to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released this month by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, imports seen during 2020 appear to be headed toward a new record despite the coronavirus pandemic, and remain at high levels as 2021 begins. “Nobody would have thought last spring that 2020 would

NACDS: a group like no other

Editor’s note: This editorial was written prior to NACDS’ decision to hold this year’s Annual Meeting as a virtual event. With the approach of February, the chain drug industry turns its collective eye toward April and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting, that traditional harbinger of the industry’s spring, time of renewal,

It’s full speed ahead for WBA in the new year

Walgreens Boots Alliance has shifted into high gear since the start of 2021. Building on a foundation that it painstakingly laid in recent years, the company has unleashed a salvo of initiatives designed to buttress its central role in health care and retailing. Following the realignment of its partnership with AmerisourceBergen — a transaction that