WALGREENS

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.— Drug stores are best positioned to deliver along the last mile of the customer journey, Walgreens Boots Alliance co-COO Alex Gourlay told investors Tuesday morning during a "fireside chat" at the Credit Suisse 26th Annual Healthcare Conference. That's even more true now as Walgreens heralded a milestone yesterday with its partner FedEx on providing pickup and drop-off services at virtually every Walgreens in the U.S.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — FedEx and Walgreens on Monday announced that FedEx package pickup and drop-off services are now available at more than 7,500 Walgreens locations in all 50 U.S. states. The milestone comes 10 months after the companies announced a long-term alliance agreement to offer convenient access to FedEx pickup and drop off at thousands of Walgreens locations across the country.

WHIPPANY, N.J. — Bayer Consumer Health on Wednesday introduced its hydraSense daily nasal care line exclusively through Walgreens. Company officials say will offer drug-free saline nasal care solutions for infants and children ages 6 months and older.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday announced the promotion of Richard Ashworth to president operations from his current role of president, pharmacy and retail operations.

"Effective immediately, Richard will bring his talent and tremendous experience to the leadership of all our critical operating functions with the new title of president of operations," the company stated in an internal memo.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance on Tuesday announced that it has commenced its previously announced partnership with Fareva for the manufacture and supply of own beauty brands and private label products.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance on Wednesday exceeded analyst expectations with results that came in slighlty north of the company's year-end projections thanks, in part, to the company's commitment to a fluid go-to-market strategy that is constantly evaluating customer behavior.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance expects to shutter about 600 stores in the wake of its purchase of 1,932 stores from rival Rite Aid.

The closings will start next year and take place over 18 months, Walgreens CFO George Fairweather said on the chain’s quarterly earnings call. The stores marked for closing will mostly be Rite Aid locations. The retailer expects to close stores within a mile of another Walgreens or Rite Aid location.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — As part of its comprehensive national plan to combat drug abuse, Walgreens is now stocking Narcan, an FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone, in all of its more than 8,000 pharmacies nationwide.

“By stocking Narcan in all our pharmacies, we are making it easier for families and caregivers to help their loved ones by having it on hand in case it is needed,” stated Rick Gates, Walgreens group VP pharmacy. “As a pharmacy we are committed to making Narcan more accessible in the communities we serve.”