Top Retailers

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club is offering free shopping passes to members of the U.S. military in response to the government shutdown, which has also resulted in the shutdown of commissaries on military bases.

The club retailer said military personnel could obtain a pass for Sam's Club locations near military bases by presenting a military identification or proof of past or present military service at Sam's Club Member Services counters.

SHELTON, Conn. — TABS Group on Friday announced the formation of a senior-level team dedicated to supporting internal and customer-related initiatives with Walmart. TABS Group will tap into the talent base to obtain a comprehensive understanding as to how the largest U.S. retail chain operates on a chain and local level. The insights gained will benefit Walmart and Consumer Products manufacturers and further contributes to the firm’s mission to simplify and improve the way analytics is conducted within the industry. 

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday announced Balance Financial, a full suite of integrated financial services that will be launching in phases over the coming months, all built around its new Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard.

CHICAGO — Peapod is offering customers in the Chicago area organic produce from a local, indoor urban farming company, shortly after its announcement of a new pickup location near the city.

The online grocer said its Chicagoland customers would be able to buy salad mixes, arugula, basil, mint and others from Farmedhere. Farmedhere uses aquaponic growing techniques that combine hydroponics with aquaculture.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Monday announced that both traditional and high-dose influenza vaccines are available nationwide. In addition, those who get a flu vaccine will receive a 10%-off coupon.

CHICAGO — Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson and Sona Chawla, Walgreens president e-commerce, on Wednesday made a keynote presentation on the closing day of the Shop.org Annual Summit 2013 here to talk about the opportunities associated with omnichannel retailing.  

NEW YORK — As retail-based health clinics increasingly illustrate the important role they plan in today’s U.S. healthcare system, Forbes is gearing up for its second annual Healthcare Summit in New York City Oct. 9 to 10.

The two-day event, hosted by Steve Forbes at the Lincoln Center, will bring together leaders from a wide spectrum of disciplines in the healthcare industry.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is taking to the airwaves to emphasize the role its members play in disseminating information about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the health insurance exchanges, which officially opened on Tuesday. NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson appeared on Bloomberg TV's "Surveillance" Tuesday morning to talk about what pharmacies are doing for healthcare delivery.