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CVS Corp.
Woonsocket, RI
(888) 607-4287
www.cvs.com
CVS Corp. is attuned to physician locations: The firm is purported to fill more prescriptions at more drugstores (around 6,205 stores, comprising 53.6 million square feet, in the United States) than any other pharmacy chain. It is also focused on growth. Note the following acquisitions over the past 2 years: 1,260 Eckerd drugstores in 2004, and 700 Albertsons stores (under the Sav-On and Osco names) in 2006. CVS did an excellent job of branding its 2004 acquisitions within 1 year. The same appears to be holding true for the Albertsons purchase.
Its mission to be the easiest pharmacy retailer for customers to use bodes well with its demographic model - an aging population requiring increased use of prescription drugs. Since CVS believes that several markets in the United States are relatively under-stored and need more pharmacies, its growth model is to continue to look for highly visible locations in high-traffic areas. Look for it to get a huge chunk of the retail pharmacy industry, which it believes will double by 2012.
