Rite Aid takes top honors at Drug Store News REX gala

Drug Store News, Nov 17, 2003 by Bernadette Casey

NEW YORK -- Rite Aid and its senior management were the big winners at Drug Store News' Retail Excellence Awards ceremony, taking home four awards, including large chain of the year. Approximately 400 retailer and supplier executives attended the event held alongside the Hudson River at the Chelsea Piers on Oct. 15 in Manhattan.

Thirty-eight Retail Excellence Awards were given out to the industry's most committed retail and pharmacy leaders and to the standout product introductions in personal and beauty care, OTC, consumables and general merchandise categories.

On the retail side, Rite Aid executives took home a number of top honors. Jim Mastrian, senior executive vice president of marketing and logistics, won marketer of the year; Mark Panzer, senior executive vice president of store operations, won operations executive of the year; and Mary Sammons, president and chief executive officer, accepted the large drug chain of the year award on behalf of the chain. Bob Miller, Rite Aid's chairman, was named REX chain executive of the year. In his acceptance speech, Miller gave credit to the commitment and integrity of Rite Aid's associates and senior management. In September, Miller received Rite Aid's President's Award---given to the employee who best exemplifies the chain's core values. Miller assumed control of the chain three years ago and is credited with turning the chain around.

* Eckerd won the REX Excellence in Patient Care Award for being a true health care partner with its customers. The chain was cited for a number of initiatives including its specialty care pharmacy services, PatientCARE network and Project Impact, a program that is sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association and manages patients with chronic conditions to improve compliance.

* Costco, best known to bargain hunters for selling everything from laundry detergent to engagement rings, garnered the REX Customer Satisfaction Award. The chain now has 290 stores with pharmacies, many of which are equipped with private consultation rooms. Costco's pharmacy sales reached $1.4 billion in 2002.

* New York favorite Duane Reade took home the regional drug chain of the year award. Despite a tough local economy the chain forged ahead with several initiatives including central fill, pharmacy kiosks that extend pharmacy hours and a successful private label launch called apt. 5.

* REX Hall of Honor winners were, on the supplier side, Bill Parsons of American Greetings and, on the retailer side, Ron Hofmeister, who recently retired from Medicine Shoppe.

Parsons spent 28 years with American Greetings working his way up to vice president of sales for the drug channel. Parson's success was credited to his ability to forge strong relationships with retailers and suppliers.

Hofmeister began his career at Medicine Shoppe international 30 years ago and was instrumental at keeping the chain at the forefront of pharmacy care initiatives including disease-state management programs and health screenings. His leadership at Medicine Shoppe fostered a unique entrepreneurial spirit which paved the way to sales of over $2 billion in 2002.

The REX special section that follows offers complete coverage of all the winners, both retailers and suppliers. Drug Store News donates a portion of the event's proceeds to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

CHAIN EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Bob Miller of Rite Aid (second from right) accepts the award from Jay Forbes of Drug Store News, Fuji Photo Film USA's Bob Cartwright and Drug Store News' John Kenlon.

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REGIONAL CHAIN OF THE YEAR

Duane Reade's Tony Cuti (center) accepts the award from Drug Store News' Rob Eder and Advo's Terry Goins.

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MARKETER OF THE YEAR

Rite Aid's Jim Mastrian (center) accepts the award from Coca-Cola's Mike Cinque and Drug Store News" John Kenlon.

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LARGE CHAIN OF THE YEAR

Rite Aid's Mary Sammons (center) accepts the award from Drug Store News' John Kenlon and David Hayes of Dr Pepper/Seven Up.

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OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Rite Aid's Mark Panzer (center) accepts the award from Drug Store News' Rob Eder and Alpharma's Robert Sanzen.

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PHARMACY EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Diebold's Jack Finefrock presents the award to Frank Segrave of Wal-Mart.

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SUPERMARKET COMBO OF THE YEAR

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Roxanne Orsak of 11-E-B Foods/Drugs accepts the award from Drug Store News' Bernadette Casey.

WHOLESALER OF THE YEAR

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William Sirico of URL/Mutual Pharmaceutical presents the award to McKesson's John Figueroa.

SUPPLIER HALL OF HONORS

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Drug Store News' Jay Forbes presents the award to Bill Parsons of American Greetings.

TECHNOLOGY EXECUTIVE

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Karl Taylor of CVS accepts the award from Drug Store News' Tony Lisanti.

RETAILER HALL OF HONORS

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Jay Forbes of Drug Store News presents the award to Ron Hofmeister of Medicine Shoppe International.