Top Retailers

WASHINGTON – Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon and Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced at the SelectUSA 2013 Investment Summit on Thursday that three suppliers have made new domestic manufacturing commitments that will create 385 jobs. The move is part of the retailer’s previously announced pledge to buy an additional $50 billion in U.S.-made products over the next decade.

Walmart said that Elan-Polo, Louis Hornick & Company and EveryWare Global will produce footwear, curtains and glassware, respectively.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens’ Health Clinics have received accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, the company has announced.

The accreditation is a symbol of quality recognizing that each Healthcare Clinic meets AAAHC requirements, embodying best practices and operating in compliance with nationally recognized standards of care. Specifically, the accreditation distinguishes Healthcare Clinics at select Walgreens as delivering high-quality care in an environment that promotes patient safety.

NEW YORK — Jim Cramer, host of CNBC's "Mad Money," is still bullish on Rite Aid.

In a segment of "Mad Money Lightning Round" Monday evening, Cramer said of Rite Aid's stock, "I want you to stick with it. They're making a big comeback."

Indeed, the Camp Hill, Pa.-based retail pharmacy chain's stock has been shooting up lately, trading at about $5.26 per share at midday Wednesday after opening at $5.20.

NEW YORK — Safeway will take over prescriptions from an Oregon grocery store, according to published reports.

The Albany, Ore., Democrat-Herald reported that Safeway in Albany, Ore., would take over prescription files from Ray's Food Store in North Albany, starting on Thursday.

The owner of Ray's, C&K Market, said earlier this month that it would stop operating the pharmacy, which will close at 4 p.m. Pacific time Wednesday, and Ray's customers have been notified, the newspaper reported.

FLINT, Mich. — An executive at Diplomat has been named VP corporate services, the specialty pharmacy said Wednesday.

Diplomat, which recently changed its name from Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy, announced the appointment of Lance Neill, who will be responsible for analytics, business intelligence, contracting management and project management.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A division of Kroger Co. has placed an initial order for Alkaline88, a bottled water brand produced using a proprietary electrolysis beverage process.

The Alkaline Water Co. announced the order Wednesday, from Smiths Food and Drug Stores, which operates 131 stores in Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Alkaline sells the water in 3-L and 1-gal. sizes.

PHOENIX — Safeway will open a grocery store in the camping area of the Phoenix International Raceway starting next month.

PIR president Bryan Sperber said the store would open for the AdvoCare 500 NASCAR Spring Cup Series weekend, which takes place Nov. 8-10, selling snacks and camping essentials.

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Hamacher Resource Group VP Dave Wendland is moderating Drug Store News' Diabetes & Chronic Care Roundtable for the 10th-consecutive year, the company said Tuesday.

The roundtable, part of the DSN Industry Issues Summit, will take place on Dec. 3 at the New York Athletic Club in New York and include participants like Walgreens, Thrifty-White, Costco, H-E-B, Ahold, Kerr Drug, AmerisourceBergen and McKesson/Health Mart, as well as numerous suppliers.