CALGARY, Alberta — London Drugs has opened a small-box, convenience-focused format called LDExpress.

Located on Stephen Avenue in Calgary’s Venator Building, LDExpress is described by London Drugs as a “grab-and-go,” “hypercondensed” version of the western Canada drug chain’s stores. Besides a pharmacy and traditional front-end sections, many London Drugs stores also house a large consumer electronics department.

The 4,000-square-foot LDExpress store features a full-service pharmacy, two customer-service specialist desks and ship-to-store pickup for all products available at LondonDrugs.com. Other offerings include cosmetics and dermatology, small housewares and office supplies, a high-tech accessories section, a photo kiosk and passport photo service, and to-go consumables from Spolumbo’s fine foods and deli.

“LDExpress on Stephen Avenue is here to cater to consumers who are time-starved but who also desire high-quality products and personalized customer care which they know they can count on from London Drugs,” Clint Mahlman, executive vice president and chief operating officer at London Drugs, said in a statement.

“This store is built entirely around the customer,” he explained. “LDExpress features products and service offerings dedicated to making our customers’ lives easier. You can quickly pop in and grab what you need or shop online at LondonDrugs.com and pick up at LDExpress. This store is all about convenience for our customers. And if you need to bring any product back for return at anytime, this can be done easily, with no hassle.”

London Drugs noted that pharmacists at LDExpress can provide flu shots, travel vaccinations, medical advice, diabetes and chronic disease management services, health screening and preventive care clinics, and medication reviews by appointment. The pharmacy team also offer customers solutions to common health issues, such as allergies, cough and cold, pain management, nutrition and digestive health.

The Venator Building is situated along the +15 pedestrian skywalk system and has direct interior access to the Scotia Centre, which attracts significant pedestrian traffic.

“The decision to open on Stephen Avenue was based on a number of factors,” according to Mahlman. “Stephen Avenue was the first location in a western Canadian city that matched our specific criteria as well as the city of Calgary, and the landlord had a ‘can do’ approach to making this opportunity happen.”

Stephen Avenue is home to a spate eateries, wine bars and notable retailers. The corridor’s renewed retail segment encompasses The Core, Fashion Central, Scotia Centre and Hudson’s Bay.

“We’re excited that London Drugs, Canada’s pre-eminent, privately owned drug store retailer, has chosen our heritage Venator Building as the location for its first LDExpress store,” stated Glenn Barrick, senior vice president of investment for Grosvenor Americas, the site’s property manager and developer. “Stephen Avenue is Calgary’s leading high-street, making it an ideal place to introduce a new, compact concept store suited to Calgary’s office and urban residential customer.”