Walgreens

Walgreens is a pharmacy chain with over 8,000 stores across the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico. Originally founded in 1901 by Charles R. Walgreen, Sr., the company has established itself as one of the largest drug store chains in the country.http://www.walgreens.com/marketing/about/press/facts/fact3.html

Walgreens headquarters iis in Deerfield, Illinois. The company actually began in Chicago, Illinois when Charles R. Walgreens, Sr. purchased the drug store where he worked as a pharmacist. From there the drug store began expanding and in 1916, nine stores were incorporated as Walgreens Co. Expansion happened quickly and in 1926, the 100th Walgreens drug store was opened in Chicago where it all began.http://www.walgreens.com/marketing/about/press/facts/fact3.html

On December 10, 2010, Walgreens alerted customers to the fact that their e-mail addresses could be in the hands of hackers. After becoming aware of someone gaining unathorized access to their e-mail list, they began notifying customers of the security breech. They warned customers to beware of any e-mails claiming to be from them that directs them to another website and asks for personal information.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the e-mail Walgreens sent to customers says, "We want to assure you that the only information that was obtained was your e-mail address. Your prescription information, account and any other personally identifiable information were not at risk because such data is not contained in the e-mail system, and no access was gained to Walgreens consumer data systems."http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/12/walgreen-co-warns-customers-e-mail-addresses-may-be-in-spammers-hands.html

On February 17, 2010, the company announced that they would be purchasing rival drugstore chain Duane Reade for over $1.1 billion, pending regulatory approval.http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/17/news/companies/Walgreens_Duane_Reade/index.htm?hpt=T2

On April 1, 2009, Walgreens began offering basic healthcare free to those who lost their job from that date until the end of the year. The service is designed to help those who find themselves without health insurance because of the economic downturn. Uninsured family members of unemployed customers are also eligible. Basic healthcare services will be provided by Walgreens' Take Care Clinics, which can be found in 341 stores in 35 major U.S. cities.http://www.nbclosangeles.com/health/tips_info/Walgreens-to-Give-Free-Healthcare-to-Unemployed.html