Convenience Stores

Walgreens reported August sales of $6.4 billion, an increase of 3.6% from the same month in fiscal 2013. Total sales for fiscal 2014 were $76.4 billion, an increase of 5.8% from fiscal 2013.
 
Total front-end sales increased 2.1% in August compared with the same month in fiscal 2013, while comparable-store front-end sales increased 1.4%. Customer traffic in comparable stores decreased 1.7% while basket size increased 3.1%.
 

Just two days after reporting second-quarter results, Fred's posted August results. Improved sales and traffic in the month were driven, according to CEO Bruce A. Efird, by initiatives that the company implemented for the first time in August.

Total sales for the month increased 6% to $147.6 million from $139.4 million in August 2013. Comparable store sales for the month increased 2.3% compared with flat store sales in the same period last year.

Rite Aid reported a 3.2% lift in sales for the 26 weeks ended Aug. 30, ringing in $12.9 billion.
 
Same-store sales for the period increased 3.6% over the prior-year period. Front-end same store sales increased 0.6%, while pharmacy same store sales increased 5.1%. Prescription count at comparable stores increased 3% over the prior-year period.
 
Prescription sales represented 68.6% of total drug store sales for the 26-week period, and third-party prescription sales represented 97.5% of pharmacy sales.
 

Beginning Sunday, Sept. 28 through Saturday, Oct. 4, A.C. Moore Arts and Crafts will partner with Lion Brand Yarn Company and Vanna White, a Lion Brand spokesperson for more than 20 years, to donate 10% of sales from all Vanna White yarn lines to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Across its 139 locations, A.C. Moore will offer special pricing on Vanna’s Choice, Vanna’s Choice Baby, Vanna’s Tapestry and Vanna’s Palettes yarns. Through this initiative, the partners guarantee a minimum $10,000 donation.
 

By Chris Stoneff, Lieberman Software

My experience in cyber security tells me that the retail sector probably represents the most fertile ground for cyber criminals. That's because professional hackers understand that retail has never focused on IT security to the extent seen in other industries (like banks or payment processors) that handle customer payment card data.

CVS Caremark is changing its corporate name to CVS Health to reflect its broader health care commitment and its expertise in driving the innovations needed to shape the future of health.

Meijer is preparing to hire thousands of new employees for its stores as the growing company prepares for the fall and holiday selling seasons, announced Janet Emerson, EVP of operations for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer.

"Meijer is always looking for good people," Emerson said. "Our continued growth provides a great opportunity to find new team members who will help deliver on the Meijer promise of providing exceptional customer service."

New York -- Walmart, Target, CVS Caremark and the Army & Air Force Exchange Service are among the 50 best companies for Latinas to work for, according the magazine Latina Style.

Walmart ranked No. 10 on the list, Target No. 36, CVS Caremark No. 41 and the Exchange No. 46. The 2014 Latina Style 50 will be published in the magazine’s special August issue, and the companies will be recognized at the magazine’s awards ceremony and diversity conference early in 2015.

Cincinnati -- Mid-America Real Estate Corporation’s Investment Sales team recently brokered the sale of Buttermilk Towne Center in Crescent Springs (Cincinnati MSA), Kentucky. The 277,533-sq.-ft. center was purchased by Farmington Hills, Mich.-based Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust for $42 million.

Chicago -- Peet’s Coffee & Tea is growing its footprint in the greater Chicago area, opening 16 stores in a phased rollout across the market this fall. Chicago is part of Peet’s aggressive U.S. expansion effort that began last year, which will bring its store total to nearly 300 locations nationwide by the end of the year.