Top Retailers

NEW YORK — Rebates on healthy foods may lead patients to purchase them more frequently, according to a new study by researchers in South Africa.

The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, examined a program offered by Discovery, South Africa's largest health plan. The HealthyFood program provides a cash-back rebate of up to 25% on healthy food purchases in more than 400 designated supermarkets around the country.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid raised $5.9 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in 2012, the retail pharmacy chain said.

The company said the amount marked a record and was 41% higher than the year before. Rite Aid has supported the organization for 18 years, and the money funds critical care, research and equipment at 95 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in communities served by Rite Aid.

NEW YORK — Google is looking to launch a competitor to Amazon Prime, according to published reports.

TechCrunch reported that Google was dogfooding a service called Google Shopping Express, which would offer same-day delivery from brick-and-mortar stores in the San Francisco Bay Area, but so far only to Google employees. Target, Nob Hill Foods and Babies'R'Us have been named as possible partners in the service, as well as five other stores in the area.

BOISE, Idaho — Supervalu’s sale of Albertsons stores to Cerberus Capital Management will reportedly close Thursday at midnight, according to a published report by StateImpact Idaho.

WASHINGTON — According to a new spending survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF), consumer spending for Easter 2013 will be flat when compared to the holiday last year.

The NRF 2013 Easter Spending Survey, conducted by BIGinsight, was designed to gauge consumer behavior and shopping trends related to Easter. The poll of 5,050 consumers was conducted from March 5 to 11, 2013.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens will no longer source branded prescription medicines directly from suppliers beginning in September, the Chicago-based retailer announced Tuesday as part of a significant partnership between Walgreens, Alliance Boots and AmerisourceBergen that includes Walgreens and Alliance Boots potentially taking a 7% stake in the Pennsylvania wholesaler. Walgreens will begin sourcing generic medicines from AmerisourceBergen beginning in the calendar year 2014.  

WABAN, Mass. — Based on a study of 10,000 U.S. consumers, Sam's Club and Amazon earned the top spots in the retail sector of the "2013 Temkin Experience Ratings," the Temkin Group announced Tuesday. 

Six additional retailers were in the top 20 overall, including Costco, which was tied for the No. 13 spot with Nordstrom. Four retailers tied for the No. 20 spot, including BJs Wholesale, Dollar Tree, PetSmart and Walgreens. Thirty-six out of the 44 retailers in the study earned a "good" or "excellent" rating.

DUBLIN, Ohio — In the wake of a new partnership announcement between Walgreens and AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health announced on Tuesday that its pharmaceutical distribution contract with Walgreens that is scheduled to expire at the end of August 2013 will not be renewed.