This is the story of a ho-hum pharmacy store that became successful by winning over customers and employees through quality customer service, "quantum leap" progression, innovative ideas, and a restless CEO who thought it good business to be a "moving target."
Author John U. Bacon, former feature writer for the Detroit News, chronicles the origins of Walgreens from its humble beginnings near the slaughterhouses of Chicago to what it is today: a friendly neighborhood pharmacy proud of its name. Bacon finds that with all its success over the years, Walgreens' core business principles remain intact: "customer service, convenience, and site selection," the signature of its founder, the late Charles Walgreen.
So what does the future hold? Since paving the way for competitors like CVS and Wal-Mart, Walgreens is looking ahead at ways to expand in areas that include long-term home care and affordable drugs. —Sara Grant