September 16, 2019 by MMR
Doug McMillon, Walmart
2019, Issue 9-16-2019, Issues
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart this month said it would stop selling ammunition that can be used in military-style assault rifles and would call on Congress to increase background checks and consider a new assault rifle ban. It also said it would discourage its customers from openly carrying guns in its stores. Other retailers, including Walgreens
September 16, 2019 by MMR
Heyward Donigan, John Standley, Rite Aid
2019, Issue 9-16-2019, Issues
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp. has appointed Heyward Donigan chief executive officer. Donigan was most recently president and CEO of Sapphire Digital (formerly Vitals), which designs and develops omnichannel platforms that help consumers choose their best-fit health care providers. At Rite Aid she succeeds John Standley, who had announced in March that he
September 16, 2019 by MMR
Albertsons Cos., Shane Sampson
2019, Issue 9-16-2019, Issues
BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons Cos. is looking for an executive to oversee merchandising and marketing for its stores and websites following Shane Sampson’s departure from the company earlier this month. Sampson, who has spent nearly four decades working in the grocery industry, returned to Albertsons Cos. in 2015 as executive vice president and marketing and
September 16, 2019 by MMR
Barbara Messing, Janey Whiteside, Michael Francis, Rich Lehrfeld, Walmart
2019, Issue 9-16-2019, Issues
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has been reconfiguring its marketing team following the August 30 departure of Barbara Messing, who returned to the San Francisco Bay Area after serving as the company’s chief marketing officer for a little over a year. Michael Francis, a former chief marketer at both Target Corp. and Dreamworks, is joining Walmart
September 16, 2019 by MMR
Kroger, Kroger Express, Kroger Pickup, Walgreens
2019, Issue 9-16-2019, Issues
CINCINNATI — Building on an exploratory pilot that kicked off last October, Kroger Co. and Walgreens recently announced a new test area for the retailers, featuring the expansion of Kroger Express and Kroger Pickup at selected Walgreens stores as well as the launch of Walgreens’ owned-brand health and beauty products in 17 Kroger stores in
September 16, 2019 by MMR
DIR, direct and indirect remuneration, NACDS
2019, Issue 9-16-2019, Issues
BOSTON — Alleviating the opioid crisis and reforming direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees topped a list of priorities targeted by leaders of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores as the group confronts challenges its members face in meeting the needs of consumers. “Today’s retail pharmacies provide access to health and wellness products, nutritional
September 16, 2019 by MMR
Target, Walt Disney Co.
2019, Issue 9-16-2019, Issues
MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. will create Disney-themed sections in 25 of its stores in October — with 40 more slated for next year — offering merchandise from Walt Disney Co. franchises including Pixel, Marvel and Star Wars. Target will open a new store near the entrance of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., in 2021,
September 16, 2019 by MMR
Francesco Tinto, Walgreens Boots Alliance, WBA
2019, Issue 9-16-2019, Issues
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has named Francesco Tinto global chief information officer and senior vice president at the company. Tinto will oversee the global strategy for WBA’s IT operations across all of the company’s divisions, as well as the implementation of its technology and digital innovation. His role will include data analytics,
September 16, 2019 by Jen Johnston
clean brands, clean label, jen johnston, Linkage Research & Consulting
2019, Issue 9-16-2019, Issues
The term “clean label” has been bouncing around since at least 2010. Originally the term described foods and drinks that contained fewer — and “cleaner” — ingredients. This emphasis on clean ingredients has spilled over into beauty. Research by Linkage Research & Consulting shows 72% of skin care consumers agree their skin is just like
September 16, 2019 by MMR
Charlotte Russe, Charming Charlie, Coresight Research, Dressbarn, Gymboree
2019, Issue 9-16-2019, Issues
NEW YORK — The lights continue to go out at an alarming rate in stores across the United States, according to the latest report from Coresight Research. With 2019 nearly two-thirds over, the number of shuttered stores thus far is well in excess of 2018’s total, while the number of openings, which already nearly equal’s
September 16, 2019 by David Pinto
David Pinto, Doug McMillon, Walmart
2019, Issue 9-16-2019, Issues, Opinion

Doug McMillon, chief executive officer of Walmart, was in the news recently for all the right reasons. Bucking traditional business wisdom, he announced new restrictions on Walmart’s program around gun sales. No longer, he announced, would the nation’s largest retailer sell certain types of ammunition. More than that, customers would be discouraged from entering Walmart
September 16, 2019 by Jeffrey Woldt
Business Roundtable, Jeffrey Woldt
2019, Issue 9-16-2019, Issues, Opinion

There is a sea change occurring among business leaders in America that promises to transform a sector of society that has frequently been criticized, with some justification, for being motivated solely by profits. The Business Roundtable, an association of chief executive officers of major U.S. companies, last month issued an updated “Statement on the Purpose