Top Retailers

HARTFORD, Conn. — Aetna has announced that Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies have been added to the preferred pharmacy network of the Aetna CVS/pharmacy Prescription Drug Plan as of Jan. 1.

NEW YORK — A New York-based distribution, merchandising and analytics firm has hired a former executive from Rite Aid and Duane Reade.

L&R Distributors announced Wednesday the hiring of Mike Cirilli as VP category management and procurement. L&R distributes more than 30,000 general merchandise, health, beauty and cosmetics products, pointing more than 12,000 points of distribution across the supermarket, drug, independent and mass-merchandise channels.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — During the holiday season, 81 area nonprofit organizations received funds from the CVS Caremark Charity Classic at a recently held presentation at CVS Caremark’s headquarters.

As the largest charitable sporting event in Rhode Island that attracts world-class golfers, the tournament donated $1.3 million in 2013 to organizations across Southern New England, bringing the total support since 1999 to more than $17 million.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — As awards season kicks off, Walgreens is teaming up with Procter & Gamble to host a Twitter party and provide beauty mavens with an opportunity to win a “fab bag,” which will be featured during the People’s Choice Awards on Jan. 8.

CHICAGO — Walgreens' latest omnichannel offering features a partnership with TaskRabbit, an online mobile marketplace that will deliver OTC cold medicines anywhere within the 19 cities in which the service exists, according to a report published by Mashable on Monday. 

According to the report, the partnership runs this week through Feb. 18. The Walgreens OTC offering will be featured in TaskRabbit's iOS app's Task Wheel and on the TaskRabbit website.

NEW YORK — At least two retailers in areas affected by record-low temperatures that have put much of the country under a deep freeze have seen a big spike in sales as consumers stock up on supplies, according to published reports.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday reported December sales of $7.2 billion, an increase of 7.2%. Sales in comparable stores increased by 6.1% in December. Calendar day shifts positively impacted total comparable sales by 170 basis points, while generic drug introductions in the last 12 months negatively impacted total comparable sales by 70 basis points. December 2013 had one additional Tuesday and one fewer Saturday compared with December 2012. 

ATHENS, Ga. — A professor at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy has been named the first Rite Aid professor in community pharmacy, the school said.

Beth Phillips, who took the new role on Dec. 1, joined the college's faculty in 2007, and the school said the professorship, its newest, includes a $250,000 endowment for salary support, research and teaching assistance and traveling expenses. Of the school's other endowed professorships, one also is sponsored by Kroger.