Wendy future of retail top

Alex Gourlay

Walgreens, OptumRx plan integrated Rx offering

Walgreens, OptumRx plan integrated Rx offering

DEERFIELD, Ill. and EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Walgreens and pharmacy benefit manager OptumRx are collaborating on an an integrated pharmacy care solution that blends attributes of in-store and mail-order prescription drug services. The companies said Thursday that OptumRx members enrolled in the program will get the option to fill 90-day prescriptions at home delivery co-payment levels at

Walgreens honored by NRF

NEW YORK — Walgreen Co. was among the firms honored by the National Retail Federation at the trade association’s convention here last month. Walgreens was named Retail Innovator of the Year at the NRF’s convention and expo, dubbed Retail’s Big Show. According to NRF, the award is given annually to “a company that is well

Walgreens honored at NRF Retail’s Big Show

Walgreens honored at NRF Retail’s Big Show

NEW YORK — Walgreens was presented with the Retail Innovator of the Year award by the National Retail Federation at the NRF Retail’s Big Show in New York City. Alex Gourlay, president of Walgreens, accepted the award on behalf of the drug chain from Claudio Del Vecchio, chairman and chief executive officer of Brooks Brothers.

Walgreens, Valeant sign distribution pact

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. have inked a distribution deal that will cut prices of Valeant prescription products at Walgreens by 10%, and may be extended to independent retail pharmacies. The discount will apply to wholesale list prices and will be phased in over the next six to nine months. The

Walgreens, Valeant plan direct distribution model

Walgreens, Valeant plan direct distribution model

LAVAL, Quebec, and DEERFIELD, Ill. — Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. and Walgreens have entered agreements in which the drug maker will directly distribute branded prescription drugs in a range of therapeutical areas to the pharmacy chain at reduced pricing. Valeant said Monday that, under the fulfillment agreement, it will cut the wholesale list prices of

WBA shakes up industry with Rite Aid acquisition

WBA shakes up industry with Rite Aid acquisition

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The consolidation of chain drug retailing climaxed last month with Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.’s (WBA’s) acquisition of Rite Aid Corp. In the largest outright purchase of a chain in the industry’s history, WBA agreed to acquire Rite Aid for $9 per share, or $17.2 billion, including debt. The price represents a premium

Transformative changes the norm at Walgreens

Transformative changes the norm at Walgreens

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The acquisition of Rite Aid Corp. culminates sweeping change at Walgreens in the space of a little over three years. In linking its fortunes, starting in June 2012, to Alliance Boots GmbH and its dynamic leader, Stefano Pessina, the chain adopted a global outlook focusing simultaneously on scale and ­efficiency. Its merger

WBA sheds little light on Rite Aid deal

WBA sheds little light on Rite Aid deal

The morning after announcing its $17.2 billion agreement to acquire Rite Aid, Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) didn’t have much to say about the deal. In a conference call on WBA’s fiscal 2015 results, company executives cited the synergies of scale and broader U.S. market coverage that the addition of Rite Aid promises, but details weren’t

Coming year will be crucial for the industry

Coming year will be crucial for the industry

As the year 2015 winds down, the chain drug community must face the reality that the coming year will be unlike any that has preceded it. The same drug chains still rule the U.S. landscape. But the content of their character and the face of the people who guide them are vastly different than in

Walgreens, UN vaccination drive gets under way

Walgreens, UN vaccination drive gets under way

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and the United Nations Foundation have kicked off their annual “Get a Shot, Give a Shot” campaign, which aims to provide life-saving vaccines where they’re most needed to children worldwide. Walgreens said Wednesday that under the initiative, now in its third year, the company will help provide a life-saving vaccine for

Unilever, Walgreens team up to help families in need

Unilever, Walgreens team up to help families in need

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever and Walgreens have partnered with Me to We to provide customers with a way to make a positive impact on the world through everyday purchases. Unilever said Wednesday that via the Give H2OPE to Others (#GiveH2OPE) initiative, Walgreens customers can make a life-changing difference for children and families in need.

CVS, Walgreens take part in youth jobs coalition

CVS, Walgreens take part in youth jobs coalition

CHICAGO — CVS Health, Walgreens, Walmart and Target are among more than a dozen U.S.-based companies forming the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative, an employer-led coalition that aims to create pathways to jobs for America’s young people. The coalition has set a goal to engage at least 100,000 “Opportunity Youth” — 16- to 24-year-olds who face systemic

Red Nose Day gets support from Walgreens

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) says it exceeded its initial goal of raising $5 million in support of the Red Nose Day campaign to raise money for children and young people living in poverty. As of Red Nose Day, WBA had raised $7 million, according to Linn Jordan, director of marketing, strategy

Gourlay aims to restore Walgreens’ confidence

Gourlay aims to restore Walgreens’ confidence

Most people in this country spent last Christmas Eve away from work, celebrating the holiday with family members and friends. Alex Gourlay, then Walgreens’ president of customer experience and daily living, devoted much of the day to visiting a dozen of the drug chain’s outlets in greater Chicago. His goal was to connect with store-level

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