RETAIL NEWS

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is stepping up its hurricane relief efforts.

The discount giant announced that it will donate up to $10 million in additional support for 2017 hurricane relief efforts in the United States, a move that will bring Walmart’s total commitment to hurricane relief efforts this year to $30 million. This additional support comes on the heels of donations already provided in response to Hurricane Harvey that hit the Gulf region less than three weeks ago.

PHILADELPHIA — Generation Y may be tech-savvy, but for many, store employees still play a pivotal role in their overall shopping experience.

In fact, 63% of shoppers aged 18-35 see store associates as extremely important to their retail experience, according to the “Store Associates Report,” from ChargeItSpot. The study is based on responses from more than 600 shoppers at malls across the country.

WADSWORTH, Ohio — Ritzman Pharmacies continues to innovate their modern pharmacy experience with a fall series of the Ritzman Restores program. Community members are invited to de-stress and stimulate their minds by creating their own custom Ohio necklace or keychain while learning about stress management from a Ritzman pharmacist.

Every year, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Total Store Expo is a repository for innovation, and this year in San Diego certainly did not disappoint. Emerging technologies, the latest trends and the best in consumer insights were all on display for the more than 5,500 attendees at the show.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — With Congress back from its August recess, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores has shared some data about the efforts it made to reach out to lawmakers in their district. The organization said that more than half of NACDS RxImpact 2017 activities allowed advocates access to legislators who support pharmacist provider status, and that almost 20% signed on to support the bill following the in-district efforts.

NEW YORK — Discount stores and traditional supermarkets are U.S. shoppers' most popular choices when it comes to buying food. At least for the time being.

Nearly all — 99% — of adults buy some or all of their groceries in-person, according to a survey by the International Council of Shopping Centers. The immediate access to products (71%) and the ability to select fresh meat, dairy and produce (70%) were the top reasons driving in-store shopping, along with the ability to see all other items in person (69%).

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The influenza vaccine for the 2017-2018 flu season is now available at all Wegmans Food Markets locations, the grocer announced Thursday.

“By offering the flu vaccination in our pharmacies, we’re making it easy for our customers to protect themselves from the seasonal flu, while also improving immunization rates in the communities we serve,” stated Katie Niles, Wegmans pharmacist and pharmacy clinical wellness services manager.