Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Ch-Ch-Ch Changes

Stanley Blaylock and Mia Scholz have been promoted from divisional to corporate vice presidents. Walgreens CEO Jeffrey A. Reins“We’re fortunate to have someone of Stan’s caliber and experience driving our specialty pharmacy expansion,” said Walgreens Chairman and CEO Jeffrey A. Rein. “He knows the business as well as anyone and is passionate about the benefits specialty drugs have on the lives of patients.”Here's what CEO Reins has to say about Scholz, “Mia’s opinion is sought and trusted on many matters because she cares deeply about our company and its future success,” said Rein. “She is one of the most principled and ethical people I know.”

According to Yahoo! Finance, Walgreens' Board of Directors adopted an amendment to the company's By-laws stating in order to be nominated to be as a director one must have reached their 72nd birthday first and secondly, the nomination must be approved by all other members of the Board of Directors.


It's National Breast Cancer month and Walgreens is selling mugs, socks, hats, ribbons, travel mugs, t-shirts, and 4-wheeled walkers to support breast cancer awareness. Apparently, Walgreens does care about their customers and community.


Regis and Kelly are doing a 3D Halloween special on October 31st and Walgreens is giving out the 3D glasses for FREE!! This is a great way to get more people going to Walgreens to get the glasses and picking up some things while they're there! What a creative idea on both of their parts.






Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Health, Happiness, Halloween & a Hard Week

A Walgreens subsidiary, Take Care Health Systems, is opening clinics in 9 new markets this fall in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, Orlando, Tampa and Tucson, which will all open by the end of 2007. Take Care Health Systems' goal is to deliver access to high-quality, convenient and affordable health care to patients on their terms. Walgreens is supporting this aggressive growth strategy by bringing on instrumental health care executives and by opening an operations center in Fargo, North Dakota.


Sounds like Walgreens is busy, no wonder they're the nation's largest drugstore chain, bringing in about $54 million for the 2007 Fiscal year, which ended August 31, 2007. Although, according to The Chicago Tribune, the first week in October Walgreens' share plunged the most in 27 years. The stock fell $7.08 to $40.16 on the New York Stock Exchange. According to the Deerfield-based Walgreens, the plunge was the result of "poor performance on higher expenses and lower reimbursements for popular generic medications." Walgreens claimed expenses grew more than 11 percent, to $12.8 billion, due to more advertising, store and staff costs.

Walgreens will get it together, they just need to remember to stick by their Mission Statement:

'We will treat each other with respect and dignity and do the same for all we serve.
We will offer employees of all backgrounds a place to build careers.
We will provide the most convenient access to healthcare services and consumer goods in America.
We will earn the trust of our customers and build shareholder value.'








Walgreens' Flu Shot Program began October 1st. Flu shots are offered in all 48 states where Walgreens has stores. The shots at Walgreens stores with Take Care Health Clinics are administered by Take Care Nurse Practitioners. There are currently 46 Take Care Health Clinics inside Walgreens drugstores in Chicago, Kansas City, Milwaukee and St. Louis.



The Walgreens Outreach Program for those with disabilities is putting smiles on faces and keeping them there nationwide. Take a look at this heart warming report on the Outreach Program. On the Walgreens Web site there is a place where you can read Chuck's story, who is part of this program. It was smart to put an employee's story on the site to help people understand how much these jobs mean to them and their families. The Outreach Program is effective, rewarding and empowering.


On a lighter note, the Halloween Cutest Costumed Kid or Critter Photo Contest is underway and Walgreens has added a contest for the 'Most Hair-Raising Halloween House.' This is a great idea by the public relations department. The pictures and contests encourage people to check back at the Walgreens website and have fun looking through the Halloween photos. Make sure you vote for your favorites!