Release Details

DEERFIELD, Ill., Sept. 5, 2006 – Walgreen Co. had August sales of $4,184,056,000, an increase of 17.2 percent from $3,570,981,000 for the same month in 2005. Sales in comparable stores (those open at least a year) rose 10.6 percent.

August pharmacy sales increased 19.6 percent, while comparable pharmacy sales increased 13.0 percent. Total prescriptions filled at comparable stores increased 8.9 percent. Pharmacy sales accounted for 66.5 percent of total sales for the month.

There were no calendar day shifts that impacted comparable pharmacy sales.

Calendar year-to-date sales were $32,018,036,000, an increase of 13.3 percent from $28,249,467,000 in 2005.

Fiscal year 2006 sales for the 12 months were $47,401,518,000, up 12.3 percent from $42,201,630,000. Comparable store sales for the fiscal year to date increased 7.8 percent.

Comparable store front-end sales increased 6.3 percent during August.

Walgreens opened 72 stores during August, including 12 relocations, acquired one specialty pharmacy and closed one store. At Aug. 31, the company operated 5,461 drugstores in 47 states and Puerto Rico, versus 4,985 a year ago. Store counts include 38 home care division locations this year and 32 last year.

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.