Rite Aid's same-store sales decreased 4% in April compared with April 2012 due to an earlier Easter and introductions of new generic drugs, the retail pharmacy chain said.

Rite Aid has redesigned its website to provide customers with easier access to online pharmacy services and health and wellness information.

Walgreens this week opened the doors to its latest flagship location in the nation's capital, bringing to District of Columbia residents and commuters the kind of retail pharmacy theater already familiar with citizens of New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

"[The year] 2012 was definitely an important year for Walgreens," Greg Wasson, Walgreens president and CEO, told shareholders here, at the Navy Pier, Wednesday afternoon, at the chain's annual shareholder meeting.

Walgreens has formally set up a new company, jointly owned with Alliance Boots, as part of their strategic partnership’s synergy program.

Walmart is among a group of pharmacy retailers working on an educational initiative with the U.S. department of Health and Human Services.

Walmart and mom-and-pop retailers are usually at odds with one another, but the issue of credit card swipe fees has Walmart sharing common ground with independent pharmacists.

Rite Aid maintained its same-store sales momentum, posting gains across front-end and pharmacy comparable sales for the sixth consecutive quarter: Overall same-store sales were up 2.5%, reflecting a 2.7% across the front-end and a 2.4% uptick across pharmacy, for the first quarter ended June 2.

That trip to the local restaurant is off the menu for consumers today, as are furnishings and electronics, Empathica reported on Thursday, citing its latest Consumer Insights Panel survey of more than 6,500 U.S. consumers.

With more than 500 pharmacies, hundreds of optical and hearing centers and a three-tiered strategy built on awareness, prevention and solutions, Sam's Club is positioned to win in health and wellness.

Target stores in Canada will have pharmacies, but the company will employ a franchise operating model as opposed to direct ownership as is the case in the United States.