Rising gas prices and a cautious consumer environment continues to benefit the dollar store, with Family Dollar being the latest example.

Despite an overall decrease in free standing insert coupon activity, retailer promotion pages within the FSI vehicles recorded a 30.7% increase to more than 17 billion pages in 2011, continuing the significant annual increases in retailer promotion activity, which began in 2007, Kantar Media reported Wednesday.



It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. It’s that kind of Dickensian double-speak that personifies the tone of the holiday forecasts this year — forecasts that have really been all over the board.

Optimism, skepticism, confidence and concern were among the range of emotions shared by Walmart suppliers who participated in the second annual Walmart Supplier Survey conducted by Drug Store News’ sister publication Connecting Northwest Arkansas.


October sure was a busy month for news in the drug channel. It began in earnest on Oct. 1, the day CVS’ new president officially began his new job. Before the month was over, CVS’ chief merchant left to become president of Family Dollar, and his responsibilities would be carved up between three key executives.

CVS has named Judy Sansone SVP merchandising and has expanded the roles of chief marketing officer Rob Price and EVP internal operations, real estate and supply chain Scott Baker, the company announced Monday.

The chief investment officer of Trian Fund Management has been named to the board of directors at Family Dollar, the retailer announced.

Longtime CVS/pharmacy executive Mike Bloom has resigned from the company and will serve as president and COO of Family Dollar Stores.

Family Dollar has found a way to better understand how customers respond to its in-store displays and promotions, and how they can be improved to generate more sales.

Does Family Dollar's expansion of health and beauty items, which contributed to its overall inventory growth during the third quarter, and Ulta's plan to create men's grooming boutiques within most of its nearly 400 stores mean a new competitive threat for drug stores?

Activist investor Bill Ackman, and his Pershing Square Capital Management investment fund, has become the largest owner of Family Dollar stock, according to a regulatory filing.

Profit grew by nearly 10% to $123.2 million and sales advanced 8.3% to nearly $2.3 billion as Family Dollar remained on a consistent growth trajectory during its second quarter, ended Feb. 27.