Walgreens posts 10.7% sales increase

DEERFIELD, Ill. Walgreens posted July sales of $4.89 billion, an increase of 10.7% from $4.42 billion in July 2007. Comparable-store sales rose 4.1%, while comp-store front-end sales increased 4.2%.

July pharmacy sales increased 10.8%, while comparable-pharmacy sales increased 4.1% and were negatively impacted by 2.1 percentage points due to generic drug introductions in the last 12 months. Pharmacy sales accounted for 66.2% of total sales for the month.

Fiscal 2008 year-to-date sales for the 11 months were $54.13 billion, up 10.2% from $49.14 billion. Comparable-store sales for the fiscal year to date increased 4.3%.

Walgreens opened 57 drugstores during July, including two relocations, acquired six drugstores and closed one.