Walgreens monthly sales up 9.5%

DEERFIELD, Ill. Walgreens today announced that its sales for the November period increased 9.5% to $4.8 billion from $4.4 billion last year. The company reported that comparable-store sales increased 4.4%.

The company reported that November pharmacy sales increased 10.6%, while comparable-pharmacy sales increased 5.5%. Comparable store front-end sales increased 2.6% during November.

Walgreens reported that its November sales were hurt by weakness in seasonal categories, as well as the struggling economy. However the company remains optimistic.

“Although the weak economic environment may have impacted early holiday sales, we believe the economy will benefit drug stores late in the Christmas season as customers take advantage of our wide selection of products and our convenient locations,” said Jeffrey A. Rein, Walgreens chairman and ceo. “That’s typical of our past experience.” 

For the year to date, Walgreens reported sales of $50 billion, an increase of 11.7% from $45 billion in 2006.