Walgreen Co.

DEERFIELD, Ill. and BELLEVUE, Wash. — Shortly after posting record second-quarter sales on Tuesday, Walgreens announced that it would "accelerate its online strategy" by acquiring e-retailer Drugstore.com for about $429 million, subject to customary conditions.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens announced that it would "accelerate its online strategy" by acquiring e-retailer Drugstore.com. The deal, worth about $429 million, gives Walgreens access to 3 million online customers.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Feb. 28 rose to $739 million, compared with $669 million in the year-ago period. However, gross profit margin remained flat at 28.8%, disappointing Wall Street, which expected more from the drugstore operator.

Revenue climbed 9% to $18.5 billion. Same-store sales and prescription sales each rose 4%.

Cambridge, Md. -- Tarrytown, N.Y.-based  DLC Management Corp. announced that Advance Auto will open an 8,125-sq.-ft. store at Shoal Creek Mall in Cambridge, Md.

The retailer, which signed a 10-year with DLC, will join a newly opened Walgreens anchor at the 67,248-sq.-ft. shopping center.

Advance Auto is slated to open this fall.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has expanded Joseph Magnacca's role at the drug store chain by appointing him president of daily living products and solutions.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday sold its pharmacy benefit management business, Walgreens Health Initiatives, to Catalyst Health Solutions in a cash transaction for $525 million, subject to certain adjustments. The transaction is structured as an acquisition of all of the capital stock of WHI.

Ossining, N.Y. -- Tarrytown, N.Y.-based Infill Development, LLC, affiliate of DLC Management Corp., announced the groundbreaking of a new development project in Ossining, N.Y. A stand-alone Walgreens will be constructed on the site of a former strip center, a New York State Brownfields site which is scheduled to undergo demolition shortly.

The new 9,483-sq.-ft. Walgreens store is slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2011.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Friday announced that Hal Rosenbluth will retire as president of its health-and-wellness division in April, but will continue with the company as a senior consultant to the CEO for healthcare services.

Rosenbluth was a co-founder of Take Care Health Systems, which was acquired by Walgreens in 2007. Prior to that, he led Rosenbluth International, a global travel management company, which he sold to American Express in 2003.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. said Friday that Hal F. Rosenbluth, president of the drug retailer’s health-and-wellness division, will retire in April. He will, however, stay on as a senior consultant to the CEO for healthcare services.

Rosenbluth was a co-founder of Take Care Health Systems, which was acquired by Walgreens in 2007.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is continuing its Community Corner Initiative by showcasing products manufactured by African-American suppliers, in line with Black History Month.