Walgreen Co.

Walgreens is poised to start 2015 off with a bang, as the company has nearly finalized its mega-deal with Alliance Boots.

Walgreens shareholders voted to approve all proposals related to the company’s acquisition of the remaining 55% of Alliance Boots that it does not currently own and the reorganization of the company into a holding company structure.

Deerfield, Ill. - At a special meeting of shareholders held Monday, Walgreens shareholders voted to approve all proposals related to the company’s acquisition of the remaining 55% of Alliance Boots GmbH that it does not currently own and the reorganization of the company into a holding company structure.  

A search is underway for a new CEO at Walgreens following the resignation of president and CEO Greg Wasson as the retailer moves toward creation of a new holding company ownership structure and complete its largest ever acquisition.

Deerfield, Ill. – Cost synergies from its ongoing merger with U.K. drugstore chain Alliance Boots GmBH helped boost net earnings at Walgreen Co. 16% to $809 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 from $695 million the same quarter a year earlier. The combined synergies for Walgreens and Alliance Boots in the first quarter were approximately $140 million and remain on track to reach at least $650 million in fiscal 2015.

Sales rose 7% to $19.6 billion from $18.33 billion. Same-store sales increased 5.7%.

Walgreens said stronger sales from established stores helped it trump analyst expectations for the first quarter, even as the company's acquisition of European retailer Alliance Boots remains on track to close this month.

Walgreens reported a 16.4% lift in quarterly profit to $809 million that was credited to the 222 million prescriptions filled for the first quarter ended Nov. 30. 

Deerfield, Ill. - Walgreen Co. intends to apply to list the shares of Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. common stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol “WBA” following the closing of its merger with UK-based pharmacy retailer Alliance Boots. The company will voluntarily withdraw its common stock from listing on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Chicago Stock Exchange (CHX).  

Dallas - SRS Real Estate Partners has executed an exclusive agreement with Walgreen Co. to assist the retailer’s nationwide new store expansion and relocation strategy. SRS has been a long-time strategic consultant to Walgreens; leading the team for SRS are executive vice presidents Patrick A. Smith and Matthew D. Alexander, who will work closely with Walgreens to enhance the company’s existing store base while evolving its real estate management structure.   

DEERFIELD, Ill. - Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson informed the company’s board of directors that he will retire shortly after the completion of the merger between Walgreens and Alliance Boots, of which shareholders are scheduled to vote on Dec. 29, 2014.