Walgreens 3Q sales up 9.6%

DEERFIELD, Ill. Walgreens reported that sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 increased 9.6% to $15 billion. Comparable-store sales increased 3.4% in the quarter.

The company reported a third quarter net earnings growth of 2% to $572 million or 58 cents per diluted share, from $561 million or 56 cents per diluted share in the same quarter a year ago.

“In a challenging economy, we continued investing in our future with a relentless focus on cost control,” said Walgreens chairman and ceo Jeffrey Rein. “We posted solid results while going up against a nearly 20% earnings increase in the year-ago quarter and a more robust economic environment. At a time when Americans are searching for value and convenience, we’re one of the retailers they’re turning to.”