Release Details

DEERFIELD, Ill., Oct. 3, 2006 – Walgreen Co. had September sales of $4,028,420,000, an increase of 15.1 percent from $3,499,824,000 for the same month in 2005. Sales in comparable stores (those open at least a year) rose 8.5 percent.

September pharmacy sales increased 16.4 percent, while comparable pharmacy sales increased 10.1 percent. Total prescriptions filled at comparable stores increased 6.1 percent. Pharmacy sales accounted for 66.8 percent of total sales for the month.

This year's September had one additional Saturday and one fewer Thursday compared with 2005 resulting in a negative impact of 1.5 percentage points on comparable pharmacy sales.

Calendar year-to-date sales were $36,053,889,000, an increase of 13.6 percent from $31,749,291,000 in 2005.

Comparable store front-end sales increased 5.6 percent during September.

Walgreens opened 15 stores during September, including one relocation, and one acquisition. At Sept. 30, the company operated 5,475 drugstores in 47 states and Puerto Rico, versus 4,964 a year ago. Store counts include 38 home care division locations this year and 32 last year. Walgreens fiscal year began Sept. 1, so fiscal year-to-date sales are the same as the month's sales.

Please note: Monthly sales numbers are preliminary and unaudited. Comparable stores are defined as those locations open for at least 12 consecutive months without closure for seven or more consecutive days and without a major remodel or a natural disaster in the past 12 months. Relocated stores are excluded from comparable stores during their first 12 months of operation.