ROCHESTER, N.Y. — CVS/pharmacy and Eastman Kodak Co. are expanding their retail photo printing relationship through 2016.
Kodak said late Friday that CVS, with more than 15,000 Kodak Picture Kiosks in its 7,400 drug stores, is the largest customer of the Kodak Retail Systems Solutions (RSS) business.
As part of the agreement, CVS is slated to upgrade and expand its fleet of Kodak Adaptive Picture Exchange (APEX) dry lab systems, which Kodak said provide a more economical way for retailers to produce photo products, improve profitability, reduce their environmental footprint, and expand their customer offerings.
Last week CVS/pharmacy launched mobile printing from smartphones to the Kodak photo kiosks. That followed a strong customer response to the "print from FaceBook" feature that the chain added to the Kodak photo stations in October 2011.
"CVS/pharmacy is a valued partner to Kodak. This four-year extension of our relationship is great news for both companies and for consumers who enjoy our services," Laura Quatela, president of Kodak and Personalized Imaging, said in a statement. "Together, Kodak and CVS/pharmacy have advanced the in-store photo experience, offering consumers a variety of quality, personalized products they can create instantly and easily. We thank CVS/pharmacy for their partnership and look forward to continuing to work with them to grow their photo services business"
Kodak added that because the new pact resolves certain pre-Chapter 11 issues between the two companies, it will be brought before the court for approval at a hearing scheduled for Dec. 7. Kodak filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last January.
"As we proceed with the sale process for the Personalized Imaging business, which includes RSS, this agreement is further proof of customer demand for Kodak’s market-leading products and services, and potential buyers recognize this," stated Quatela. "We remain strongly committed to providing our customers with the high level of service we always have."
