Walgreens reports slight hike in May sales

Walgreens reported today that sales at stores open at least a year increased one percent in May over last year.

The Deerfield-based company reported sales of $5.37 million, an increase of 6.1 percent from $5.06 million for the same month in 2008.

May pharmacy sales increased 6.3 percent, while comparable pharmacy sales increased 1.5 percent. Comparable pharmacy sales were negatively impacted by 4.5 percentage points due to generic drug introductions in the last 12 months.

Prescriptions filled at comparable stores increased 2.8 percent in May, including 1.7 percentage points due to more patients filling 90-day prescriptions, which are counted as three 30-day prescriptions. This better reflects true consumption and is consistent with industry standards. Pharmacy sales accounted for 65 percent of total sales for the month.

Fiscal 2009 year-to-date sales for the nine months were $47,637,674,000, up 7.2 percent from $44,437,206,000. Comparable store sales for the fiscal year to date increased 1.9 percent.

Walgreens opened 43 stores during May, including four relocations, acquired 38 stores and closed three.

At May 31, Walgreens operated 7,361 locations in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.

Daily Herald business writer Kim Mikus contributed to this report.