WALGREENS

The battle to capture and retain customers in a world where price, convenience and even customer service have become commoditized is in full swing. “The risk is you end up in a loyalty war [where] companies begin to use the loyalty scheme or the loyalty component of [the card] as another form of price escalation,” warned Bryon Pearson, president of LoyaltyOne and contributing editor to Colloquy, a magazine that has covered the loyalty marketing industry since 1990. “The intelligence that sits behind these programs is where the real value is,” he said.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday launched Ology, a nationally accessible and affordable brand formulated to be free of harmful chemicals. Exclusive to Walgreens' family of companies, the Ology brand features a line of baby and personal care products as well as household cleaners, the company stated.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — To help victims of Hurricane Sandy, customers shopping this week at any Walgreens or Duane Reade store in the United States will have the opportunity to make donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund in increments of $1, $2, $5 or $10, Walgreens announced Monday. The fundraising initiative is in addition to Walgreens' announcement last week that it would make a $250,000 contribution to the same fund.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Omni-channel retailing is so yesterday. Omni-national retailing is the space where Walgreens is looking to play, and this magazine is just one of the first examples of how retailing concepts from the Old Country will be imported from across the Pond and translated for the U.S. market. 

ZUG, Switzerland — Alliance Boots on Thursday announced that it has acquired ownership of its associate, Alliance Healthcare Russia, from AB Acquisitions Holdings Limited, the ultimate parent company of Alliance Boots.

This follows the recently established strategic partnership with Walgreens, which included, among other things, an option for Walgreens to acquire the Alliance Healthcare Russia shareholding on exercise of its option to proceed to a full merger with Alliance Boots.

NEW YORK — The Northeast is still recovering from one of the worst disasters it has ever faced. Many residents remain without electrical power, while others have lost their entire homes, businesses, workplaces and in a growing number of cases, their lives.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Thursday announced the launch of Happy And Healthy, Your Guide To Living Well With Walgreens, a biannual magazine that debuts Nov 4. The premiere edition is holiday-themed and includes entertaining and gift ideas; the cover features Taylor Swift. The glossy 28-page magazine will be available in English and Spanish, and there will be a similar version for Duane Reade customers.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday announced that this Friday Nov. 2 the chain will host its first Senior Discount Day. All senior citizens over the age of 55 will receive 15% off eligible store items and 20% off eligible Walgreens, W Brand and Nice! products. 

Participants who simply reference the discount and present a valid ID, will receive the discount at any Walgreens and Duane Reade drugstore nationwide.