June 21, 2021 by MMR
NRF, retail sales forecast 2021
2021, Issue 06-21-2021, Issues
WASHINGTON — Citing an accelerating economic recovery, the National Retail Federation (NRF) has raised its retail sales forecast for 2021. The nation’s largest retail trade organization now projects that retail sales will grow between 10.5% and 13.5%, up from its February forecast of 6.5% to 8% growth. “The economy and consumer spending have proven to
June 21, 2021 by MMR
FMI, U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends report
2021, Issue 06-21-2021, Issues
ARLINGTON, Va. — The pandemic has altered consumers’ relationship with food in ways that are likely to outlast the public health emergency, according to the latest U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends report from FMI. FMI has tracked the grocery shopping habits of U.S. consumers for four decades through its annual U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends report. The
June 21, 2021 by MMR
Walmart+ Rx for less
2021, Issue 06-21-2021, Issues
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Prescription drug savings have been added to the perks of Walmart+ membership. A new program called Walmart+ Rx for less provides “incredible value” on the prescriptions members rely on most, says Dr. Cheryl Pegus, executive vice president of health and wellness for Walmart U.S. “When you consider the frequency with which many
June 21, 2021 by MMR
prizes, vaccinations
2021, Issue 06-21-2021, Issues
NEW YORK — The rate of vaccination against COVID-19 has been declining in the United States since early this spring, even as new, potentially deadlier variant strains of the disease emerge. In response, several major retail pharmacy operators are offering incentives to encourage people to take advantage of the availability of free vaccination. The decrease
June 21, 2021 by MMR
CVS Pharmacy, private label
2021, Issue 06-21-2021, Issues
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Pharmacy has added more than 150 products under its portfolio of private label lines, including extensions of the recently launched Live Better by CVS Health brand; new Gold Emblem Fair Trade Certified coffee; and the debut items of Goodline Grooming Co., a men’s skin and grooming care line. Guided by current
June 21, 2021 by MMR
joblessness, mass retailers
2021, Issue 06-21-2021, Issues
NEW YORK — After the economic dislocation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, job growth and unemployment rates are key indicators of the nation’s progress toward recovery, and the mass market retail industry is doing its part to help the rebound. When 20 million jobs evaporated last spring as the economy shut down in response to
June 21, 2021 by MMR
Alliance Healthcare, WBA
2021, Issue 06-21-2021, Issues
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Earlier this month Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) announced that it has finalized the sale of its Alliance Healthcare businesses to AmerisourceBergen. The $6.5 billion deal included $6.275 billion in cash (subject to a customary net cash and working capital adjustment) and 2 million shares of AmerisourceBergen common stock. WBA said it will
June 21, 2021 by MMR
Dollar Tree, Family Dollar
2021, Issue 06-21-2021, Issues
CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Dollar Tree Inc. cited continued improvement for its Family Dollar unit in posting a 3% increase in sales in the quarter to May 1. Enterprise same-store sales increased 0.8% on a constant currency basis (or 0.9% when adjusted to include the impact of Canadian currency fluctuations), the company said. Same-store sales for
June 21, 2021 by MMR
Dollar General, Q1
2021, Issue 06-21-2021, Issues
GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General Corp. got off to a fast start in fiscal 2021, as top- and bottom-line results for the first quarter exceeded the expectations of both management and Wall Street. Net income for the quarter ended April 30 increased 4.2% to $677.7 million, or $2.82 per diluted share, well ahead of the
June 21, 2021 by David Pinto
David Pinto, MMR, Walmart
2021, Issue 06-21-2021, Issues
Our critics have occasionally pointed out that MMR, a supposedly objective business publication, unduly praises the accomplishments of Walmart, giving that extraordinary mass retailer credit for real or imagined successes out of proportion to any semblance of reality. This is true. But it is a truth heavily supported by the facts. The facts, in this
June 21, 2021 by Jeffrey Woldt
Amazon, Jeffrey Woldt
2021, Issue 06-21-2021, Issues
In the wake of Amazon’s entry into the prescription drug business, competition in the sector is, predictably, beginning to escalate. The company, which aspires to be one of the nation’s leading pharmacy providers, and Walmart, which is already a top-tier provider, earlier this month rolled out initiatives designed to bolster their appeal to patients. With
June 21, 2021 by Scot Meyer
National Retail Federation, Scot Meyer
2021, Issue 06-21-2021, Issues
Economic recovery and the prospect of strong retail sales growth were the headline topics at the National Retail Federation’s inaugural State of Retail and the Consumer event earlier this month. But a panel of retail leaders at the event also discussed how their companies intend to deal not just with the economic opportunity ahead, but