NEW YORK — With the third quarter drawing to a close and the holiday season on the horizon, the country’s two biggest discount retailers have a somewhat different outlook for the end of the year. With the third quarter drawing to a close and the holiday season on the horizon, the country’s two biggest discount
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. has launched a customer loyalty program called Balance Rewards. The drug chain says the program will offer customers ways to save, earn points and get rewarded for purchases, services and healthy behaviors. Walgreen Co. has launched a customer loyalty program called Balance Rewards. The drug chain says the program will
BRUSSELS — Delhaize Group has tapped fast-food industry veteran Roland Smith to head its U.S. supermarket operations. Delhaize Group has tapped fast-food industry veteran Roland Smith to head its U.S. supermarket operations. Smith, who most recently served as president and chief executive officer of Wendy’s Co., will serve as president and CEO of Delhaize America
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart’s domestic business continued to show strong results in the second quarter, and overall results exceeded Wall Street’s expectations. Management narrowed and raised its earnings guidance for the full 2013 fiscal year, but its revised projection barely met analysts’ average forecast. Walmart’s domestic business continued to show strong results in the second
NEW YORK — Among mass market retailers the strong got stronger during August while other chains reporting monthly sales struggled. For specialty retailers and department stores, though, summer drew to a close on a solidly positive note, perhaps reflecting an uptick in consumer sentiment for the month. Among mass market retailers the strong got stronger
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Former Hy-Vee Inc. chairman and chief executive officer Ric Jurgens received the Hall of Achievement Award from the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA). Former Hy-Vee Inc. chairman and chief executive officer Ric Jurgens received the Hall of Achievement Award from the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA). Also receiving the award, the GMA’s highest
ABINGTON, Mass. — Peapod LLC, the home delivery arm of Ahold USA, has launched a new store pickup service, Peapod Pick-Up. The service initially is being offered at the Stop & Shop supermarket here. Additional locations are planned for the future. Peapod LLC, the home delivery arm of Ahold USA, has launched a new store
On balance, 2012 hasn’t been a watershed year for mass market retailers. With one exception. But more about that later. On balance, 2012 hasn’t been a watershed year for mass market retailers. With one exception. But more about that later. If the year that’s soon to end was worth considering in any special context, perhaps
The rollout of Walgreens’ customer loyalty program, Balance Rewards, provides yet another example of the company’s determination to continuously reevaluate its business model and reinvent the chain drug store to better meet the needs of 21st century consumers. The rollout of Walgreens’ customer loyalty program, Balance Rewards, provides yet another example of the company’s determination