Top Retailers

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings has elected law firm executive Cesar Alvarez to its board of directors, the company, which owns the Sears and Kmart chains, announced.

Alvarez is co-chairman of the international law firm Greenburg Traurig, which he joined in 1973. Before his appointment as chairman, he served as executive chairman for more than three years and as its CEO for 13 years, starting in 1997.

Rite Aid announced its third-quarter 2014 sales Thursday, showing higher total and same-store sales and profits than third quarter 2013, as well as continued growth in programs like the Wellness store format, Wellness65+ and others.

The main story surrounding Rite Aid over the past couple of years has been its efforts to engineer a turnaround, but the message from Thursday was, "Rite Aid more or less has turned around, so what's next?"

CHICAGO — GoHealth and Walgreens are ramping up their shared efforts to let Americans know GoHealthInsurance.com is a viable solution for people seeking coverage and exploring marketplace options under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the companies announced Wednesday. 

MINNEAPOLIS — About 40 million credit and debit card accounts of Target customers were compromised between late November and the middle of this month, the mass merchandise retailer said Thursday.

Target confirmed earlier reports from the online security blog Krebs on Security that the company experienced a breach affecting nearly all of its stores. The breach was initially thought to have started the day before Thanksgiving and ended on Dec. 6, but investigators later found that it had lasted until Sunday.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday announced the promotion of Mark Tuffin to SVP retail divisions. He succeeds Michael Ellis, who will become Kroger's president and chief operating officer on Jan. 1.

"Mark is an exceptional leader with an extensive knowledge of the grocery industry," Ellis said. "He has made significant contributions to our company and industry, while always championing our Customer 1st strategy. We look forward to Mark's leadership in this senior role as we continue to accelerate Kroger's growth."

NEW YORK — Winning with ability and agility in the age of healthcare retail-ization. That’s what it is all about for CVS Caremark, and that was a central theme of Wednesday’s timely Analyst Day meeting in New York City, held just weeks before the New Year when health reform will begin to significantly alter the healthcare landscape.

MINNEAPOLIS — As consumers are reaching the final days to squeeze in their holiday shopping, Target has announced some last-minute deals.

Guests using Cartwheel, the retailer's unique savings program, can take advantage of a one-day sale on Dec. 19 when around 40 great gift items — ranging from toys to cookware — will have special offers with discounts ranging from 10% to 60% off. Cartwheel has gained more than 1 million new users this season alone, putting the number of guests signed up for the program at 4 million.

MINNETONKA, Minn. — UnitedHealthcare on Wednesday announced the winners of the 2013 UnitedHealthcare Medication Adherence Targeted Intervention Program Challenge benefiting the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation. The company presented a $100,000 donation to the foundation on behalf of the winning pharmacies at the 15th annual NACDS Foundation Dinner in New York earlier this month.