Strategy

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — On the final evening of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, the association for the first time honored two individuals in the same year with the Sheldon W. Fantle Lifetime Achievement Award: Mary Sammons, chairman of Rite Aid, and Tom Ryan, chairman of CVS Caremark.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- HSN Inc. reported that total net sales for its first quarter grew 6% over the prior year to $724 million. Net sales at its HSN business increased 1% to $526.2 million, which included 7% sales growth at HSN.com. Cornerstone's net sales increased 20% to $197.8 million with e-commerce sales growth of 23%.

Adjusted EPS increased 14% to 41 cents compared with 36 cents in the prior year, the company reported. GAAP diluted EPS increased 13% to 34 cents compared with 30 cents in the prior year.

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores said that by the end of the year it will have invested the equivalent of approximately $756 million to expand its operations in Brazil.

Marcos Samaha, president of Wal-Mart's Brazilian subsidiary, said in a Tuesday statement that 1.2 billion reals ($755 million) will be used to build 80 stores, renovate existing locations and improve logistics.

Lubbock, Texas -- United Supermarkets officially entered the convenience market on Wednesday with the opening of its first United Express location, in Lubbock, Texas. It is the company’s first standalone convenience store.

The location includes a six-pump fuel station and will feature fresh offerings along with the traditional items guests would expect to find at a convenience store.

New York City -- Harry & David Holdings, which filed for Chapter 11 in March, asked the court Tuesday for permission to hire a real estate consultant to help close 50 of its 122 stores.

The company seeks approval to hire DJM Realty Services, a subsidiary of the Gordon Brothers Group. The filing said that DJM also could help Harry & David renegotiate leases with landlords for 69 of its other stores

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- Walgreens announced that it has partnered with NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products to launch an exclusive line of “The Biggest Loser”-branded meal alternative bars and shakes. According to a company press release, the line of products, named for the popular NBC weight-loss reality show, will be offered in all of the more than 7,600 Walgreens stores nationwide beginning in May.

CINCINNATI -- The Procter & Gamble announced the following organizational changes:

Edward Shirley, vice chairman beauty and grooming, will retire from P&G, effective Jan. 1, 2012, after 33 years service.  Until that time, effective July 1, Shirley has been named vice chairman on special assignment, continuing to report to Robert McDonald, chairman of the board, president and CEO.  

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Big 5 Sporting Goods reported that for the fiscal 2011 first quarter, net sales were $221.1 million, compared with net sales of $218.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Same-store sales decreased 0.9% for the first quarter of 2011 versus the comparable period in the prior year. This compares to a same-store sales increase of 2.4% in the first quarter of 2010.