• Two more Maryland ShopRite stores - in Riverside and Howard Park, both owned and operated by Klein’s Family Markets and part of the Wakefern retailer-owned cooperative - have adopted the coop's Fresh to Table, described as "an innovative store-within-a-store where customers can find fresh, on-trend foods, easy to prepare ingredients and meal solutions in a variety of grab-and-go formats."
The description goes on: "Fresh to Table reinvents traditional produce and fresh food departments, providing additional high-quality options for shoppers looking for a one-stop shop experience. Customers can choose from ready-to-cook items ('Prep & Eat'), ready-to-heat and serve items ('Heat & Eat'), and ready-to-eat meals ('Grab & Eat'). The multi-purpose space also features new and innovative foods from ShopRite’s private label lines, including the supermarket’s award-winning Bowl & Basket and Wholesome Pantry products."
Klein’s Family Markets already has rolled out Fresh to Table at four other Maryland stores, in Forest Hill, Aberdeen, Bel Air, and Jacksonville.
• From the Boston Globe this morning:
"Two years after its launch, CVS Health is planning to close its clinical trials unit by the end of 2024 to refocus on core operations.
"Since the pandemic began, the drugstore chain has doubled down on its efforts to build a health care business that would move it further into the home health and primary care spaces. The Woonsocket-based company announced in late 2021 a plan to close 900 stores in three years in order to expand its primary care services. At the time, executives told investors they planned to become the 'nation’s leading health solutions company for consumers.'
"Closure of the clinical trials unit is part of a regular 'evaluation' of assets to ensure the company aligns with long-term strategic priorities, a spokesperson said. CVS first revealed its clinical trials unit in May 2021, which had a focus on driving access to clinical trials and boosting engagement."
The story notes that "the news comes as the CVS recently completed its acquisition of primary care company Oak Street Health in a $10.6 billion deal earlier this month, and completed a $7.8 billion acquisition of home health care provider Signify Health in March.
"The two acquisitions are CVS’ biggest deals since its $70 billion mega-merger with insurer Aetna in 2018, and executives told investors the transactions could help CVS expand more quickly than previously projected."
• From Fox Business:
"Oscar Mayer’s iconic Wienermobile has a new name.
"The American meat and cold cut producer announced the hot dog-shaped vehicles are being rebranded in honor of the company’s new 100% Beef Franks, according to a press release issued by the Kraft Heinz Company on Wednesday.
"Now called Frankmobiles, a fleet will hit the highways nationwide this summer and will have painted lettering that references the vehicle’s new name and 'all beef' frank recipe."
