RITE AID

PITTSBURGH General Nutrition Centers reported a 42.5% increase in net income for its second quarter ended June 30.

GNC said Tuesday that its net income totaled $25.6 million, compared with $18 million in the year-ago period. Adjusted EBITDA for second quarter 2010 was $68.6 million, an 18.1% increase over the adjusted EBITDA of $58.1 million for second quarter 2009.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Consumers are working more, playing more, shopping more and learning more online than ever before. So the click-and-consult services proffered by Walgreens and Rite Aid not only represent today’s cutting edge technology, but also provide a peek into how consumers may interact with their healthcare team tomorrow.

(THE NEWS: Walgreens extends online pharmacy with Pharmacy Chat. For the full story, click here)