Walgreens Celebrates 6,000 Stores Nationwide with Grand Opening in New Orleans

2007-10-24 15:01:47 -

www.walgreens.com/about/press/default.jsp - Walgreens Tiffani Bruce, (847) 914-2962 Internet: news.walgreens.com Walgreens (NYSE:WAG)(NASDAQ:WAG), the nation's largest drugstore chain, is hosting a special event today to mark the grand opening of its 6,000th store nationwide in New Orleans. State and local officials will welcome the familiar retailer to another New Orleans community during a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m.

Former NASCAR champion Richard Petty will also make an appearance at the grand opening event today along with the Lilly/Joslin/Walgreen diabetes awareness NASCAR racecar. Petty will greet fans from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

The Greater New Orleans area is one of Walgreens oldest and most distinct markets, with its first store in the city opening in 1938. The new store in the historic Carrollton neighborhood is the 48th in metro New Orleans, an increase of more than 20 percent since 2000. This store represents a significant landmark in Walgreens organic growth strategy. With plans to open 550 new stores in fiscal 2008, Walgreens is on track to exceed its goal of operating 7,000 stores in 2010.

"New Orleans is a unique market for us," said Walgreens Chairman and CEO Jeff Rein. "The area captures such a diverse mix of customers. From seniors to college students, local natives to tourists and every ethnic group, the Crescent City has it all. Customers here have been loyal to our stores for a very long time. As we watch the market overcome amazing obstacles, we will continue to do our best to meet its evolving needs. For many here, Walgreens is more than a drugstore - it's a one-stop shop for everyday necessities."

In Carrollton, like thousands of other communities, Walgreens has become a wellness resource for those who have underserved healthcare needs. Its many stores in the city's urban neighborhoods are well positioned to reach residents with information on the health issues that disproportionately affect their lives.

In honor of the grand opening, Walgreens is offering free blood glucose screenings in 16 New Orleans stores today with the help of Xavier University pharmacy students. The goal is to drive greater awareness of the diabetes epidemic and get more people on the path to prevention or early detection and treatment. In addition, the Walgreens Wellness Tour Bus will be traveling to select locations throughout the area for two weeks providing tests for total cholesterol level, blood pressure, bone density and body mass index.

"The pride exhibited by Walgreens customers and employees in the months since Hurricane Katrina has been inspiration for our entire company," said Rein. Immediately following the hurricane, 74 Walgreens stores were closed due to damage and loss of power, creating the most significant operational challenge in the company's 106-year history. "Thanks to superb teamwork, we were one of the first retailers that reopened to serve patients with critical medical needs," added the CEO. "More than 700 Walgreens employees traveled from across the country to help our New Orleans folks with recovery efforts. They filled hundreds of thousands of emergency prescriptions and provided vital supplies to evacuees."

Walgreens continues its commitment to investing in this market. By the end of 2008, the retailer will have more stores in the New Orleans area than it did prior to Katrina.

"We see significant opportunities for continued expansion throughout the Gulf Coast region, including in many mature markets," said Rein. "We've established a foothold in nearly every major U.S. market, and now we're focusing on building convenient locations even closer to more customers."

New Orleans' newest store is open around the clock and will offer services such as Walgreens nationwide prescription network, drive-thru pharmacy, one-hour digital photo pickup, trained beauty advisors and new features like environmentally-friendly and low cost printer cartridge refills.

"We are living by the words of our founder, Charles R. Walgreen Sr.," said Rein. "One of his favorite sayings was: 'Success is doing a thousand little things the right way over and over again.'"

Walgreens is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2007 sales of $53.8 billion. The company operates 6,014 stores in 48 states and Puerto Rico. Walgreens is expanding its patient-first health care services beyond traditional pharmacy through Walgreens Health Services, its managed care division, and Take Care Health Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary that manages convenient care clinics inside drugstores. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc. and Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC.

Free blood glucose screenings will be available at the following New Orleans Walgreens stores today from 1 p.m. - 7 p.m: -0- 5300 Tchoupitoulas St., #C 4110 General DeGaulle Dr. 1100 Elysian Fields Ave. 718 S. Carrollton Ave. 3227 Magazine St. 145 Elks Pl. 1826 N. Broad St. 11297 Lake Forest Blvd. 4200 Chef Menteur Hwy. 619 Decatur St. 6201 Elysian Fields Ave. 1801 St. Charles Ave. 900 Canal St. 134 Royal St. 4400 S. Claiborne Ave. 2418 S. Carrollton

The Walgreens Wellness Tour will provide several free health screenings at the following stores from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. -0- 2418 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 24 and 25 4400 S. Claiborne Ave., New Orleans Friday, Oct. 26 11297 Lake Forest Blvd., New Orleans Saturday, Oct. 27 1815 W. Airline Hwy., La Place, LA Sunday, Oct. 28 1556 LaPalco Blvd., Harvey, LA Monday, Oct. 29 13500 Highway 90, Boutte, LA Thursday, Nov. 1 818 Westbank Expy., Westwego, LA Friday, Nov. 2 89 Westbank Expwy., Gretna, LA Saturday, Nov. 3 4421 Airline Dr., Metairie, LA Sunday, Nov. 4 7101 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, LA Monday, Nov. 5

Walgreens Pharmacists Team up with Xavier University to Offer Free
Diabetes Screenings across the City

Former NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Richard "The King" Petty Will
Greet Fans and Help Drive Diabetes Awareness