Walgreens to expand renovation program

New York City Based on the performance of a 35-store pilot program, Walgreen Co. will expand its customer-centric retailing initiative chainwide through 2010, according to GlobeSt.com.

The program will be rolled out to some 400 stores this fall and then be expanded nationwide through calendar 2010, executives said at the company’s third-quarter conference call, the report said.

“Our CCR format is more open, less cluttered, and provides better sight lines to help locate products,” explained Gregory D. Wasson, president and CEO, Walgreens. “These 35 stores are performing ahead of plan on all metrics.”

Atotal of 5,000 to 5,500 locations ultimately will be rehabbed, said Wade D. Miquelon, senior VP and CFO, Walgreens.