News

RH is the new name for familiar home goods retailer Restoration Hardware.

The company said the switch to the RH acronym positions the brand to curate a lifestyle beyond the four walls of the home which is reflective of the current positioning and future direction of the luxury home goods brand.

Zug, Switzerland -- Swiss drugstore chain Alliance Boots said Monday it has acquired a 12% stake in Chinese pharmaceutical wholesaler Nanjing Pharmaceutical Co. for $88.5 million.

The deal follows Walgreen Co.’s $7 billion investment in Alliance Boots in a move to expand into China.

Alliance Boots runs the largest drugstore chain in the United Kingdom.

Walgreen’s initial plan is to acquire about 45% of Alliance Boots with an option to buy the rest of the company in three years.

MEMPHIS — Fred's on Friday launched a holiday layaway plan featuring no fees and a down payment of only $1.

"Fred’s realizes that the current economy presents difficult challenges to its customers and Fred's wants to offer as much assistance as it can," Fred's SVP sales and marketing Dave Mueller said. "That’s why we came up with a layaway plan that — with just one dollar down and absolutely no fees — is unlike any others and will stretch shoppers’ dollars during a time when it will be most welcome."

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has appointed Thomas Moriarty as EVP and general counsel of CVS Caremark.

Moriarty most recently served as general counsel at the Celgene, a biopharmaceutical company, where he was responsible for global legal strategy and served on the company's management committee. Prior to that, Moriarty was general counsel and corporate secretary at Medco Health Solutions.

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems Corp. said Monday that it has acquired the receivables associated with The Talbots Inc.’s existing private-label credit card file, and will acquire the credit card accounts, pending regulatory approval. The receivables portfolio totals about $145 million.

Alliance Data also said that its Retail Services business will provide private-label credit card services for Talbots, as well.

Former VF Outdoor CFO Dan Templin has joined Eddie Bauer as COO and CFO.

With the addition of Templin, current Eddie Bauer CFO Marv Toland was named to the newly created role of SVP of direct with responsibility for the brand’s e-commerce and catalog businesses.

Eddie Bauer CEO Mike Egeck characterized Templin as a seasoned outdoor industry executive whose responsibilities at VF Outdoor, with leading brands such as The North Face, Vans, JanSport and Timberland, will benefit Eddie Bauer.

Morrisville, N.C. -- Lowe’s Cos. Inc. said Monday it has withdrawn its bid to purchase Canadian home-improvement retailer Rona Inc.

The $1.86 billion unsolicited acquisition proposal had earlier been rejected by Quebec-based Rona, which said the offer was not the best deal for its shareholders. The proposal generated discord among Rona’s dealer companies, many of whom threatened to sever their ties with Rona should Lowe’s succeed in its acquisition attempt.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens over the weekend officially launched its customer loyalty program, which since Sept. 6 has garnered more than 1 million customers during an online-only, early-enrollment period.

“Our loyalty program is distinctive,” stated Graham Atkinson, Walgreens SVP and chief customer experience officer. “This comprehensive rewards program is one of Walgreens largest and most important programs in company history."

Balance Rewards offers three key benefits, all customized for the consumer: