Content about Merchandising

February 18, 2011

THE MESSAGE: A ‘laser-like focus’ on consumers

Walgreens is ready for its closeup. 

After a two-year, top-to-bottom makeover — and a relentless focus on its core customers and its broad mission as a health, wellness and convenient shopping destination — the company that wants to “own well” has honed its message to consumers: Walgreens is ready to be the nation’s top wellness destination.

February 18, 2011

THE STORES: CCR and the best of Duane Reade

The CCR foundation has been laid. Now comes the next phase in Walgreens’ campaign to “enhance the customer experience.” 

Customer Centric Retailing is rolling across the chain’s coast-to-coast store network like a tide. The effort — aimed at aligning Walgreens’ mix with what its customers really want from the stores; eliminating hundreds of redundant, slow-turning SKUs; and boosting front-end productivity — already has transformed more than 2,100 Walgreens stores. Another 3,400 are up for renovation by the end of this year.

February 18, 2011

The vision:  Walgreens wants to ‘own well’

  Talk about a bold retail vision. Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson said the nation’s top pharmacy retailer wants nothing less than to “own well.”

February 17, 2011

A&P boosts merchandising, marketing team

Bankrupt grocer A&P, which just revealed plans to shutter 32 stores in six states, has bolstered its merchandising and marketing team with the appointment of six new executives.

February 1, 2011

Magnacca’s expertise warrants a close look at DR’s innovations

NEW YORK — In recent years, Duane Reade has gone from simply being Manhattan’s homegrown pharmacy chain to a truly innovative retailer with unique product offerings and marketing concepts that even the biggest retailers can learn from. And there’s no doubt that Joe Magnacca has been instrumental in the chain’s turnaround. 

February 1, 2011

New exec Mac Naughton pursuing familiar strategy at Walmart

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Duncan Mac Naughton, recently promoted to chief merchandising officer for Walmart’s U.S. stores division, has an opportunity to be a hero at Walmart as the nation’s largest retailer looks to restore sales growth at its U.S. stores this year and beyond. 

February 1, 2011

Pugh’s customer-centric approach boosts Walgreens’ momentum

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A veteran of Walmart and Tesco, Walgreens VP merchandising Bryan Pugh brought a more analytical and customer-targeted approach to front-end merchandising. His oft-stated mission: to oversee, in coordination with the company’s Customer Centric Retailing initiative and other renewal efforts, a more cost-effective and more compelling merchandising strategy. 

January 28, 2011

Mac Naughton rises to top as Walmart's chief merchant

In a swift move by Walmart, Duncan Mac Naughton has been appointed the retailer's chief merchandising officer for its U.S. division, less than three months after being named the company's merchandising EVP.

January 21, 2011

Atkinson to put stamp on front end as Walgreens optimizes CCR

“The true ambassadors for the brand.” That’s how Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson now describes the company’s 244,000 employees.

January 21, 2011

Chance Cole promoted to VP at The Little Clinic

The Little Clinic has promoted Chance Cole to VP business development and processes, handling business-to-business and overall business development, process improvement and nonclinical training activities.

January 17, 2011

Family Dollar names SVP apparel, home and seasonal

Family Dollar Stores announced that it has named Paul White to the position of SVP apparel, home and seasonal. White will report to Dorlisa Flur, EVP and chief merchandising officer.

January 14, 2011

Walgreens plays game right with expanded front-end initiatives

Walgreens has talked plenty about its Customer Centric Retailing initiative since the overhaul of its store merchandising and marketing strategy kicked off two years ago. But the rejuvenation of Walgreens’ sprawling, coast-to-coast store network is just the tip of the CCR iceberg, company leaders said.

January 7, 2011

Janel Haugarth appointed Supervalu's EVP merchandising, logistics

Supervalu on Friday named Janel Haugarth, 55, EVP merchandising and logistics.

January 3, 2011

Shopko to open store in Wisconsin

Mass merchandiser Shopko will open a new Shopko Hometown store in the city of Seymour, Wis., the chain said in December.

December 14, 2010

Former CVS executive joins Market Performance Group

Former CVS/pharmacy executive Steve Ortleb has joined Market Performance Group, a consulting and sales management services company, as a director on the MPG sales and retail services team and a retail adviser for the MPG Strategy Consulting group.

December 7, 2010

A new team for the New Year

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — As Walmart’s U.S. stores division looks to execute a broad slate of initiatives in the coming year to recharge domestic growth, it does so under the leadership of a new chief executive and a restructured merchandising organization. 

December 7, 2010

Excitement, action return to Walmart aisles

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart stores have regained a familiar feeling this holiday season, and if senior executives are right, the increased promotional intensity will halt six consecutive quarters of declining same-store sales and put the company on the right track for 2011. 

December 7, 2010

Retailers lure shoppers to greeting cards with signage

BROOKLYN, Ohio — Getting the most from the card category depends not only on the right merchandise, but also on the right merchandising. Outposting and signage can have a big impact on the department. 

November 22, 2010

Nielsen releases Black Friday spending projections

Consumers shopping this Black Friday will spend in a “mindful manner,” according to a new...

November 22, 2010

Nielsen releases Black Friday spending projections

Consumers shopping this Black Friday will spend in a “mindful manner" ...

November 21, 2010

Survey: Mobile shoppers will account for 28% of holiday spending

Mobile shoppers will account for nearly one-third of the money spent this holiday season by...

November 4, 2010

Walgreens is well-equipped for the future

It would be no small thing to define the retail market for wellness, much less...