Walgreens Schedules Redesign for More Than 1,800 Stores

Citing “positive reaction” to the rollout of its Customer Centric Retailing (CCR) initiative in 700 pilot test stores, Walgreens plans to introduce the new format design and merchandising package in an additional 1800 to 2300 of its more than 7100 drugstores by the end of the third quarter 2010.

Company officials say the redesign was inspired by the way customers shop. The new layout stresses “category adjacencies,” which position related merchandise in one of four key merchandise zones. Lower shelving opens up sightlines across the stores. Signage is taking on a new, streamlined look. The nation’s largest drugstore chain is also changing the product mix by broadening stores’ beer, wine and food sectors.

Progress in executing its key growth strategies helped the Deerfield, Ill.-based company post a record second-quarter sales gain of $17 billion, said Greg Wasson, president and ceo, during the company’s second quarter earnings call. Sales increased 3 percent despite what he termed “the impact of a sluggish economy and lower-than-anticipated sales of flu-related products.”