Walgreens Starts Strong in Fiscal 08

Deerfield, Ill. Walgreen Co. reported that net earnings for its first quarter of fiscal 2008 were up 5.5% to $456 million from $32 million in the same period last year.

Sales for the first quarter increased 10.4% to $14 billion, the company announced. Total same-store sales were up 5.4% in the quarter, while front-end comparable drug store sales rose 4.6% in the quarter.