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Hy-Vee buys pharmacy files from Shopko

Prescriptions transfer to Midwestern grocer starting this week

Russell Redman

December 18, 2018

2 Min Read
Supermarket News logo in a gray background | Supermarket News

More prescription drug customers are headed toward Hy-Vee Inc., which has acquired patient files from 22 Shopko pharmacies.

Financial terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed. Hy-Vee said it plans to merge the prescription files into Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations in the 17 cities where the Shopko stores were located, which include Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Hy-Vee_prescription_0.png“As we continue to grow our pharmacy business, we pride ourselves on providing an excellent experience to our customers,” Randy Edeker, chairman, president and CEO of Hy-Vee, said in a statement. “We provide customized care for each person who walks through our door. Our pharmacists will go above and beyond to provide numerous services to our patients so we can help them understand and assist with caring for their specific health care needs.”

Struggling discount department store chain Shopko, based in Green Bay, Wis., recently confirmed that it plans to close 39 stores in 19 states, which will result in hundreds of layoffs. The company has about 360 stores in 24 states, including approximately 300 pharmacies.

Last week, published reports said The Kroger Co. has purchased patient files from 42 Shopko pharmacies and plans to transfer those prescriptions to nearby Kroger Co. pharmacy banners.

Related:Hy-Vee makes beauty an experience

West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee said that all impacted Shopko pharmacy patients will receive a letter from their new Hy-Vee Pharmacy with further details on prescription transfers. Plans call for Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations to begin filling the acquired Shopko prescriptions starting this week through late January.

The new patients from Shopko will get access to expanded health care, according to Hy-Vee. Besides full pharmacy services, Hy-Vee’s locations offer free prescription delivery, automated refill ordering, flu shots and other vaccinations, free blood pressure checks, private medication consultations and registered dietitians for nutritional consultations. Generic prescriptions cost $4 for a 30-day supply or $10 for a 90-day supply. Patients also can manage their medications using the free Hy-Vee mobile app for iOS and Android devices. 

Hy-Vee added that customers who fill a new prescription or refill an existing or transferred script at any of its locations will receive a 5 cents per gallon Fuel Saver Perks discount, which can be redeemed at any Hy-Vee store that sells gasoline, and a coupon for a discount on their next Hy-Vee grocery trip.

Overall, Hy-Vee operates 260 retail pharmacies, including 228 in-store and 32 freestanding pharmacy location. The Midwestern grocer, which has more than 245 supermarkets in eight states, also has 71 retail health clinics, with most located in stores with a pharmacy. The clinics are operated in partnership with a local health care network or hospital system.

Related:Hy-Vee HealthMarket store makes debut

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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