RETAIL ROUNDUP 1995

Safeway Pushes Health Club

eway has given ad play to Health Club 55, a pharmacy program that targets men and women 55 years and older.

Members get a 10% savings on branded drug prescriptions and 20% on generic prescriptions. The club was promoted in a recent Seattle Times ad that read, "Join Safeway's Health Club 55. Feel Better for Less."

Richard Cancilla, vice president of pharmacy operations for the chain, could not be reached for comment.

Fred Meyer Sets Medical Videos

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Fred Meyer Inc. here is the first grocery chain to sign up for a new medical information video series from Time Life, New York.

The chain will begin merchandising the series at its pharmacies early next year, according to David Schulberg, vice president of pharmacy for Fred Meyer. The series, titled "At Time of Diagnosis," will initially comprise 30 videos covering major medical conditions, including diabetes, cancer and coronary artery disease.

The program was put together with the endorsement and under the supervision of former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop.

"We think it's going to have wide applications. It provides a great deal of information, and people are hungry for information on health care," said Schulberg. "It's also backed by two big names."

The series will be released in February 1996. Each 30-minute video, which includes a 24-page booklet, will sell at a suggested retail of $19.95.

The series is being marketed under the name Time Life Medical, New York. Under the leadership of Koop, programs will be developed by Patient Education Media, whose equity partners include Time Life Inc. and Tucker/Green, a product development company in Old Lyme, Conn. Koop serves as chairman of the board and medical director of Patient Education Media. About five additional videos will be released each year, with a total 70 titles planned for the series.

Fred Meyer plans to carry three copies of 20 of the videos in spinner racks adjacent to the pharmacy counters, according to Schulberg.

In-store display options for the series include a multimedia display unit, freestanding kiosk, shelf units, counter display, endcaps and power wings.

Bi-Lo Promotes Discount Clubs

MAULDIN, S.C. -- Bi-Lo here is advertising a discount club concept as an incentive to build customer loyalty for its pharmacies.

In recent newspaper ads, the chain has promoted a prescription bonus club, offering its members a free prescription (up to $20) when they get 12 scripts filled.

It also has played up an insulin club, which offers 10% off the price of a syringe after six are purchased at the regular price. In addition, members can receive a free vial of insulin with the purchase of 12.

When contacted by SN Pharmacy, Bill Fisher, director of pharmacy operations for the chain, refused to comment on the promotions.

Dillon Units Get Laser Printers

HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- Dillon Food Stores here has converted all 45 of its in-store pharmacy printers from a dot matrix to a high-resolution, high-volume laser system.

Company executives said the new system, a Lexmark Optra R laser processor, has greatly improved customer service.

"The constant high-pitch grinding of the dot matrix printer was nerve-racking," said Sue Robinson, pharmacy manager at Dillon's Super Store, Wichita, Kan. "You couldn't carry on a normal conversation with customers in the store or over the phone."