Executive Summary

September7, 2018

• This week’s note “From the Desk of Deborah Weinswig” discusses the different growth strategies that CVS Health and Walgreens Boots Alliance have undertaken to combat emerging competitors in the pharmacy industry.
• Brick-and-mortar stores are using various versions of the click-and-collect model to satisfy growing demand for convenience as consumers increasingly shift toward online shopping, and some brick-and-mortar retailers in the US have recorded some of their best growth in years.
• Retail sales in the UK rose by 1.3% in August, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), versus 1.6% in July. Comparable sales in August increased by 0.2%, slightly below July’s 0.5% increase. August growth was driven by food sales, although momentum has faded following a strong run in previous months, the BRC said.
• Chinese online food delivery-to-ticketing services platform Meituan Dianping is set for an IPO in Hong Kong. The company is valuing itself at up to US$55 billion, with an indicative price range of US$7.60–US$9.20 per share.