With Duane Reade buy, Walgreens gains on many fronts
Walgreen Co. has obtained much more than market share with its acquisition of Duane Reade.
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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.
Standley to succeed Sammons as Rite Aid CEO in June
John Standley, president and chief operating officer of Rite Aid Corp., will take over as chief executive officer in June, succeeding Mary Sammons, who will continue to serve as chairman until June 2012.
Walmart plans major reorganization of operations
In an effort to boost efficiencies, cut costs and get closer to the consumer, Walmart has undertaken a major structural reorganization. While some of the most visible changes are in the company’s field operations team, merchandising and procurement have also been targeted. The Walmart U.S.
Prospects for health care reform become dimmer
Health care reform will apparently come later rather than sooner. With the shift of one Senate seat, last year’s most pressing issue for President Barack Obama and the Democratic majority in Congress has moved to the back burner.
Health Mart reaches a milestone
Health Mart, McKesson Corp.’s nationwide network of independently owned pharmacies, has set a milestone with the addition of its 2,500th pharmacy.
Walgreens ups the ante in food category
In support of its efforts to add perishable food offerings to many of its stores, Walgreen Co. has hired veteran convenience store executive Jim Jensen to serve as its new divisional merchandise manager of fresh foods.
Duane Reade upgrades loyalty program
Duane Reade Inc. has launched a new customer rewards program. Executives explain that the program — called Duane Reade FlexRewards — is easier to use and leads to faster rewards than Dollar Rewards, which was the chain’s previous loyalty program.
CVS moves ahead on two fronts
CVS Caremark Corp. is expanding its reach in terms of the markets it serves and the savings it provides to customers. With more than 7,000 stores, the drug chain made its entry into the St. Louis market last month, opening four stores in the region in a single week. At the same