Sales & Marketing

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens’ fiscal second-quarter earnings fell 7.7% due in part to its decision to leave the Express Scripts pharmacy network. But its performance still topped analyst expectations. A mild flu and cough/cold season also cut into its performance.

The chain said its net income dropped to $683 million in the three months ended Feb. 29, 2012, compared with $739 million a year ago. Revenue rose 0.8% to $18.65 billion, from $18.5 billion a year earlier. Same-store prescriptions filled fell 4.9%. Revenue from the front-end was up 2.1%.

NEW YORK — Macy’s announced that it has named Johnny Iuzzini to its culinary council. One of the nation's most celebrated and innovative pastry chefs, Iuzzini will join notable talents including Emeril Lagasse, Cat Cora, Wolfgang Puck and Marcus Samuelsson on this distinguished team. 

DALLAS — Former Sears chief marketing officer, Monica Woo, has joined Mozido, a leading global provider of low-cost, multi-channel financial services platform for mobile network operators, financial institutions, consumer packaged goods corporations and retailers, as EVP, global chief marketing and strategy officer. 

In this capacity, Woo will be responsible for Mozido's overall brand strategy, communications, and customer experience across channels, as well as key business-building initiatives.

New York -- Retail executives are invited to attend the Microsoft Retail Roadshow, which will be held in Cambridge, Mass., on Thursday, March 29. The half-day event, which kicks off with breakfast at 8 a.m. and includes lunch, will explore ways that retailers can increase operational efficiency, lower costs and innovate to drive customer engagement.

The Retail Roadshow will be held at Microsoft Research New England, R&D Center, One Memorial Drive, First Floor, Cambridge, Mass.

BOSTON — Retailers that use tablets and other mobile devices in place of cash registers are perceived as being more innovative by mobile shoppers than those that do not, according to the latest AisleBuyer survey.

By Seth Broman, [email protected]

Despite news of a slowly recovering economy, small businesses are still being overwhelmingly turned down for bank loans. Tight credit restrictions and high loan eligibility requirements are leaving retailers with a lack of access to credit, stunting their ability to prosper and contribute to economic growth.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot Inc. will open 13 newly remodeled locations in the Houston area on March 28.

The updates stores feature more colorful signage and easy-to-navigate floor plans. The stores were redesigned based on customer feedback and shopping patterns.

Office Depot operates 1,677 stores in 60 countries, 46 of which are located in the Houston area.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria will debut her second fragrance, EVAmour by Eva Longoria, on HSN, HSN.com and HSN Mobile on March 29.

"EVAmour will become a personal scent for women who are confident, beautiful, sexy and intelligent...just like the HSN customer," said Longoria. "I know how I feel when I am wearing it and I wish every woman to feel that same sense of sexiness and power."