With Duane Reade buy, Walgreens gains on many fronts
Walgreen Co. has obtained much more than market share with its acquisition of Duane Reade.
Issue 03-01-2010
Acquisition reflects Walgreens’ new thinking
Walgreens’ acquisition of Duane Reade is the latest move in the century-old company’s ongoing effort to redefine itself.
Duane Reade’s makeover wins suitor
Duane Reade would have been much less attractive to a buyer just a year ago. But the past 12 months have seen the rollout of new and remodeled drug stores that bear little resemblance to the chain’s drab older units. THE WALGREENS/ DUANE READE DEAL New and renovated outlets sport an updated
Walgreens’ approach to growth evolves
Walgreen Co. grew from about 1,300 outlets in 1986 to more than 4,000 in 2003, all without making any major acquisitions. THE WALGREENS/ DUANE READE DEAL Before that Walgreens had used the purchase of small and midsize drug store chains as part of its growth strategy.
Giancamilli: ‘NACDS is up to any challenge’
Although the battle is far from over, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores won a number of significant victories last year, its leaders told the several hundred executives gathered at the association’s Regional Chain Conference here last month.
CVS makes debut in Puerto Rico
CVS Caremark Corp. opened two stores on this Caribbean island last month, marking the first of what it says will be nine drug stores in yet another new market for the company. The two units — one here in this San Juan suburb and one in San Juan itself — officially
Washington Medicaid program wins reprieve
While negotiations over pharmacy reimbursement rates continue, Walgreen Co. has delayed its plan to stop filling Medicaid prescriptions at more than half of its stores in Washington state.
Kerr Health introduces web site
Kerr Drug Inc.’s Kerr Health subsidiary has launched a web site designed to communicate the health care services provider’s offerings to doctors, patients, caregivers and employers. The new site, www.kerrhealth.
Men’s site opened by drugstore.com
Drugstore.com has expanded its service offerings with AtHisBest.com, which the company calls the first online store dedicated to providing a full selection of men’s grooming, health, home, fitness, sexual and personal care needs.
Walgreens reenergized under Wasson
To those who have come to know and admire Greg Wasson, the just-announced Walgreens acquisition of Duane Reade comes as no surprise. Indeed, in the year that has passed since Wasson was named chief executive officer of the Walgreen Co., he has thrown off surprises and excitement like a pinwheel.