H-E-B OPENS LARGEST HEALTH CLINIC
SAN ANTONIO — The biggest convenient care clinic yet opened this month in a Houston-area store of H.E. Butt Grocery Co., whose headquarters are here. The 926-square-foot facility, operated by RediClinic in association with Memorial Hermann health system, both in Houston, has three exam rooms and a room specifically designed for blood draws. It is the largest RediClinic in operation. According to the Convenient Care Association, Philadelphia, it is also the largest retail-based convenient care clinic in the U.S.
NRF: GIFT CARDS TO TAKE HOLIDAY HIT
WASHINGTON — Price-consciousness is taking a toll on gift card sales, according to the Gift Card Survey, from the National Retail Federation here. Conducted by BIGresearch, Worthington, Ohio, the study forecasts that gift card sales will fall nearly 6% this holiday season to $24.9 billion, from $26.3 billion last year. Fewer people plan to purchase gift cards this year (53.5% vs. 56.6% last year), and gift card shoppers will be spending less overall on the cards (an average of $147.33 vs. $156.24 in 2007).