RETAIL NEWS

DEERFIELD, Ill.  — The Walgreens Flu Index is tracking a significant uptick in influenza across the Lone Star state, according to the company's weekly report.

The top 10 markets as measured by flu activity for the week of Jan. 15 are:

TORONTO  — George Weston Limited and Loblaw Companies Limited on Thursday named Galen Weston chairman and CEO of George Weston Limited. Weston will continue in his role as chairman and CEO of Loblaw.

In addition, Luc Mongeau has been appointed president, Weston Foods and Sarah Davis president, Loblaw.

ZANDAAM, The Netherlands — Ahold Delhaize’s Delhaize America supermarket division had a strong 2106 fourth quarter, with comparable-store growth rising by 2.2% year over year with both Food Lion and Hannaford growing volumes significantly.

“In October, Food Lion implemented its ‘Easy, Fresh & Affordable’ initiative in 142 stores in the Charlotte market, with positive initial customer response especially in Fresh. Shelf price deflation was 1.7%, broadly in line with the previous quarter,” Ahold Delhaize stated in a news release.

KEASBEY, N.J. — ShopRite is introducing a variety of health and wellness offerings for its supermarket customers throughout 2017.

These services include:

Free Eat Well, Be Happy Weight Management Classes — This six-week class teaches portion control, label reading, better-for-you cooking techniques and lifestyle maintenance.

Free Diabetes Classes — Runs throughout the year and features one-hour long sessions focusing on several aspects of diabetes. Held in partnership with ShopRite Pharmacy.

WASHINGTON – The National Confectioners Association on Monday announced that Christina Groth from Kroger and Brian Rinker from Walgreens are the recipients of the 2017 Confectionery Leadership Awards. The award celebrates the honorees’ contributions to the category through their effective business collaboration, category management best practices, and innovations in merchandising confectionery products in-store.

PHOENIX  — Equinox Payments on Wednesday announced that all Equinox terminal solutions are now integrated with Android Pay, including the L5300 multi-lane terminals used by Walgreens, the first retailer to integrate its loyalty program with Android Pay on the L5300s in its stores nationwide.

 SAINT-LAURENT, Québec — McKesson Canada and Sobeys National Pharmacy Group on Tuesday announced the signing of a long-term distribution agreement that makes Lawton’s Drug Stores a primary distribution customer, enhancing McKesson Canada's presence in Atlantic Canada.

The agreement is effective Feb. 1, 2017.