Walgreen February sales up

Walgreen Co. Wednesday said its February sales of $5.31 billion were up 3.2 percent, from $5.14 billion for the same month in 2009. Sales in comparable stores (those open at least a year) increased 0.4 percent.

February pharmacy sales increased 3.7 percent, while comparable pharmacy sales increased 0.9 percent. Comparable pharmacy sales were negatively affected by 2.4 percentage points due to generic drug introductions in the last year and a lower incidence of flu compared with February 2009.

Pharmacy sales accounted for 64.5 percent of total sales. Walgreens opened seven stores during February, acquired 11 and closed one.