DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. has obtained much more than market share with its acquisition of Duane Reade. THE WALGREENS/ DUANE READE DEAL The metropolitan New York drug store chain’s recent initiatives in beauty merchandising, customer loyalty and store brands all promise to add luster to Walgreens’ efforts to transform its own store experience. The
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens’ acquisition of Duane Reade is the latest move in the century-old company’s ongoing effort to redefine itself. THE WALGREENS/ DUANE READE DEAL Already considered by many to be the industry’s premier drug chain, Walgreens has evolved over the past few years into a company that is reshaping the way Americans think
NEW YORK — 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
DEERFIELD, Ill. — 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. That approach culminated in the purchase
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — 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. “I can say with confidence that the year shaped up pretty well,”
BAYAMON, 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
SEATTLE — 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. “We’re encouraged by the state’s willingness to continue working with us to find a solution that will allow all of our stores to continue serving
RALEIGH, N.C. — 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.com, provides information about Kerr Health’s menu of services, including consultation with pharmacists and nurses (available 24 hours a day), synchronization of medications,
BELLEVUE, Wash. — 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. The retailer says the new site is designed for the way men want to shop today, offering them an
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. In acquiring Duane Reade, he
