Report: Hertz, Walgreens exploring possible partnership

NAPLES, Fla. — Hertz and Walgreens are exploring possible synergies, Crain's Chicago Business reported Wednesday. 

 

As part of Hertz' drive to extend its reach beyond airport car rental portals, Herz is looking to partner with Walgreens. According to th report, the two companies recently concluded a test of such a program at 30 Walgreens in the Chicago area and 30 in San Antonio, Texas.

 

"We had this idea of putting cars in the neighborhood and started looking at different retail outlets that might be suitable," Richard Broome, Hertz EVP corporate affairs, told Crain's. "Walgreens fit perfectly."

 

Hertz plans to launch the program nationwide, Crain's reported. 

 

In related news, Hertz on Thursday announced the opening of another 17 Hertz Local Edition locations in 13 states. These new locations are in addition to the approximately 80 neighborhood locations opened since January 2014, and more than 2,900 locations currently open across the United States. The openings are part of a company-wide strategy to accelerate expansion in the off-airport, neighborhood car rental market servicing the replacement, leisure and business customers.

 

"It's imperative at Hertz that we are consistently expanding our network of neighborhood locations, especially in convenient suburban locations," said John Holt, Hertz SVP off airport operations.