NEW YORK — As expected, consumer caution stemming from an ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases combined with early promotions by retailers resulted in dramatically lower foot traffic and higher online sales during the Thanksgiving weekend. According to the annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics for the National Retail Federation (NRF), the number of
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has hired Dr. Cheryl Pegus as executive vice president of health and wellness. Pegus begins her new job December 21 and will report to John Furner, chief executive officer of Walmart U.S. “I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Pegus to the Walmart family to advance our efforts to continue exploring health
Albertsons Cos. president and chief executive officer Vivek Sankaran recently spoke with Mass Market Retailers editor-in-chief Jeffrey Woldt about the need to remain nimble and flexible as consumer behavior changes, the company’s response to COVID-19, and Albertsons’ growth strategy. This is an edited version of that conversation, which is available in video form on massmarketretailers.com.
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Pharmacy announced earlier this month the opening of 12 specialized CVS Pharmacy y más stores in New York and New Jersey, the first stores of this kind in the tristate area. CVS Pharmacy y más stores are designed to provide an enhanced, convenient, personalized shopping experience specific to local Hispanic communities.
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Hy-Vee Inc. has taken another big step into the health care arena with the creation of a pharmacy benefits management subsidiary, Vivid Clear Rx. In an unrelated move, the company has unveiled a premium membership program for customers, Hy-Vee Plus, which offers additional savings and exclusive services and benefits, both
KEASBEY, N.J. — Wakefern Food Corp.’s retail cooperative is picking up three Boston-area stores owned by Madison Foods Corp. The three Save A Lot stores will be remodeled and converted to Price Rite Marketplace, a Wakefern banner with more than 60 stores across eight states. Brockton, Mass.-based Madison Foods is owned and operated by the
As 2020 finally and reluctantly gives way to 2021, the mass retail community is understandably optimistic about the year ahead. As background, much has changed, more perhaps than in any other 12-month period in the history of retailing in America. Foremost among these shifts in consumer shopping habits is the undeniable fact that online shopping,
Much has been made of shoppers’ changing behavior during the holiday selling season. Driven by fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, the shift away from brick-and-mortar stores toward e-commerce has accelerated significantly. Adobe Analytics reports that online sales set records on Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, rising some 22% on the first two days and
Retailers have been among the essential businesses Americans have relied on to help them get through the COVID-19 pandemic, and much of the credit goes to the frontline employees working in the stores. Their efforts will be more important than ever in the coming weeks. Despite the encouraging news that vaccines are on the way,
MINNEAPOLIS — It has been quite a month at Target Corp. First, the retailer announced a blockbuster long-term partnership with Ulta Beauty to open store-within-a-store Ulta Beauty shops in selected Target locations and make available Ulta’s prestige brands through Target.com. The collaboration represents a brilliant combination of two retailers who both excel in providing curated,
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance has updated its loyalty program, rechristened as myWalgreens, to offer customers extensive new benefits, including the fastest same-day retail pickup currently available. Customers can now shop online and on a fully redesigned mobile app for health and wellness items, then pick them up in the store, curbside or at
SEATTLE — Amazon announced earlier this month that it has entered the pharmacy business with a new offering called Amazon Pharmacy, allowing customers in the U.S. to order prescription medications for home delivery, including free delivery for Amazon Prime members. Amazon Pharmacy allows customers to complete an entire pharmacy transaction on their desktop or mobile