Editing Walgreens (section)

==== 2010s ====
In 2010, Walgreens acquired New York City-area chain [[Duane Reade]] for $1.075 billion, including debt, and continued to use the Duane Reade name on some stores in the New York City metropolitan area.<ref name="Walgreens">[http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100217005827/en/Walgreens-Acquire-York-based-Drugstore-Chain-Duane-Reade "Walgreens to Acquire New York-based Drugstore Chain Duane Reade"], February 17, 2010, Retrieved June 27, 2013,</ref> In March 2011, Walgreens acquired [[Drugstore.com]] for $409 million.<ref>{{cite web|first=Kevin|last=Woodward|title=Merchandising and Design - Beauty.com: A refined look - Internet Retailer|url=http://www.internetretailer.com/2012/11/27/beautycom-refined-look|access-date=June 15, 2015}}</ref> On June 19, 2012, Walgreens paid $6.7 billion for a 45% interest in [[Alliance Boots]].<ref>{{cite news|date=June 19, 2012|title=US retailer Walgreen buys 45% stake in Alliance Boots|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18504340}}</ref> That year, Walgreens acquired [[Mid-South (region)|Mid-South]] drugstore chain operating under the [[USA Drug]], Super D Drug, May's Drug, Med-X, and Drug Warehouse banners.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 5, 2012|title=Walgreens to acquire mid-South drug store chain|url=http://drugstorenews.com/article/walgreens-acquire-mid-south-drug-store-chain|access-date=July 5, 2012|publisher=Drug Store News|archive-date=July 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708172604/http://drugstorenews.com/article/walgreens-acquire-mid-south-drug-store-chain|url-status=dead}}</ref> In November 2010, Walgreens filed a [[trademark infringement]] [[lawsuit]] against the [[Wegmans]] supermarket chain, claiming the "W" in the Wegman's logo was too similar to Walgreens's.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 6, 2010 |title=Walgreens sues Wegmans in logo dispute |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/AP0d26cbf8d065497781f4dc5f4336a3b3.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101108222151/http://online.wsj.com/article/AP0d26cbf8d065497781f4dc5f4336a3b3.html |archive-date=November 8, 2010 |access-date=November 17, 2010 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> The suit was settled in April 2011, with Wegmans agreeing to discontinue use of its "W" logo by June 2012, although the supermarket retained the right to use the "Wegmans" name in script.<ref name="auipb">{{cite web |last=Patterson |first=Richard |date=April 27, 2011 |title=Wegmans Settles with Walgreens over War of W's |url=http://www.ipbrief.net/2011/04/27/wegmans-settles-with-walgreens-over-war-of-w%E2%80%99s/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607191544/http://www.ipbrief.net/2011/04/27/wegmans-settles-with-walgreens-over-war-of-w%E2%80%99s/ |archive-date=June 7, 2011 |access-date=June 9, 2011 |work=Intellectual Property Brief |publisher=American University}}</ref><ref name="walgreenpr">{{cite web |title=Press Release: Wegmans Releases Statement on Lawsuit Resolution |url=http://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/PressReleaseDetailView?langId=-1&storeId=10052&catalogId=10002&productId=720935 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505055539/http://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/PressReleaseDetailView?productId=720935&storeId=10052&catalogId=10002&langId=-1 |archive-date=May 5, 2011 |access-date=June 9, 2011}}</ref> Since 2010, Walgreens has had a technology office in [[Chicago]], serving as its digital hub.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Channick |first=Robert |title=Walgreens expanding tech office in Chicago, doubling downtown employees to 600 |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-walgreens-tech-center-chicago-20171017-story.html |access-date=April 12, 2018 |work=chicagotribune.com}}</ref>

In 2011 Walgreens announced it would end its relationship with Express Scripts,<ref>{{cite news|title=Walgreens ramps up for end of Express Scripts deal|work=Chicago Tribune|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-walgreen-ramps-up-for-end-of-express-scripts-deal-20111230,0,7670406.story|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231181555/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-walgreen-ramps-up-for-end-of-express-scripts-deal-20111230%2C0%2C7670406.story|archive-date=December 31, 2011}}</ref> a [[Pharmacy benefit management|prescription benefits manager]]. A coalition of minority groups, led by [[Al Sharpton]]'s National Action Network,<ref>{{cite news|title=Document Drop: Al Sharpton V. Walgreens|work=Daily News|location=New York|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2011/12/document-drop-al-sharpton-v-walgreens#comment-911716|access-date=2012-01-14|archive-date=2014-01-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123050024/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2011/12/document-drop-al-sharpton-v-walgreens#comment-911716|url-status=dead}}</ref> sent letters urging CEO Gregory Wasson to reconsider. Groups sending letters were National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference,<ref>{{cite news|title=Largest Latino Religious Group Joins Chorus Critical Changed|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2011/12/28/DC27937}}</ref> the Congress of Racial Equality,<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/congress-of-racial-equality-core-warns-walgreens-decision-to-drop-express-scripts-will-hurt-poor-135695368.html Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) Warns of Walgreens Plans to Abandon Lower-income & Minority Communities Would Consider Urging Boycott if Course not Walgreens Decision to Drop Express Scripts... - NEW YORK, Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/]. Prnewswire.com (December 15, 2011). Retrieved on September 5, 2013.</ref> Hispanic Leadership Fund<ref>[https://news.yahoo.com/hispanic-leadership-fund-walgreens-dispute-threatens-health-care-150707718.html]{{dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref> and others. In 2012, Walgreens announced that it would continue to participate in Express Scripts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Isidore |first=Chris |title=Walgreen, Express Scripts settle prescription spat |url=https://money.cnn.com/2012/07/19/investing/walgreens-express-scripts/index.htm |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=CNNMoney}}</ref> Many news outlets described the overall process as a conflict, with terms like "spat,"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krauskopf |first=Lewis |last2=Wohl |first2=Jessica |date=19 July 2012 |title=Express Scripts, Walgreens settle pharmacy spat |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/express-scripts-walgreen-settle-pharmacy-spat-idUSBRE86I0MX/ |website=Reuters}}</ref> "battle,"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fein |first=Adam J. |last2=Ph.D. |title=Walgreens is Losing Its Battle with Express Scripts |url=https://www.drugchannels.net/2012/05/walgreens-is-losing-its-battle-with.html |access-date=2025-05-12}}</ref> "war,"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Walgreen, Express Scripts End War {{!}} CFO.com |url=https://www.cfo.com/news/walgreen-express-scripts-end-war/667082/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=www.cfo.com |language=en-US}}</ref> and "rift."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-24 |title=Walgreens and Express Scripts Mend Rift |url=https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/walgreens-and-express-scripts-mend-rift |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=Pharmacy Times |language=en}}</ref> 

[[File:Walgreens, Neptune Beach.jpg|thumb|275x275px|Walgreens location in [[Neptune Beach, Florida]] in 2017]]

In July 2013, Walgreens had attempted to acquire Toronto-based [[Shoppers Drug Mart]], which would have marked Walgreen's first expansion into Canada and outside the U.S., but ultimately acquired by [[Loblaw Companies]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-07-17 |title=Walgreens Could Have Bought Shoppers Drug Mart. Could Walgreen’s Still Come to Canada? |url=https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2013/07/walgreens-could-have-bought-shoppers/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Retail Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> Later on September 10, 2013, Walgreens announced it had acquired [[Kerr Drug]].<ref>{{cite news|date=September 10, 2013|title=Walgreens furthers reach into North Carolina with acquisition of Kerr Drug|work=Drug Store News|url=http://www.drugstorenews.com/article/walgreens-furthers-reach-north-carolina-acquisition-kerr-drug|access-date=September 11, 2013|archive-date=September 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130913012840/http://www.drugstorenews.com/article/walgreens-furthers-reach-north-carolina-acquisition-kerr-drug|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

In the summer of 2014, a corporate relocation to Switzerland was considered as part of a merger with Alliance Boots, a European drugstore chain.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sorkin |first=Andrew Ross |date=July 2014 |title=At Walgreen, Renouncing Corporate Citizenship |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/06/30/renouncing-corporate-citizenship}}</ref> This drew controversy as many consumers felt that it was an attempt at [[tax inversion]]. In August 2014, Walgreens purchased the remaining 55% of [[Alliance Boots]]. The combined company became known as the [[Walgreens Boots Alliance]] and was headquartered in Chicago.<ref>{{cite news|date=August 6, 2014|title=Walgreens buys up rest of Alliance Boots: The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/aug/06/walgreens-buys-alliance-boots-9bn-pounds}}</ref><ref name="WalgreensBoots">{{cite news|title=Post Alliance Boots buyout Walgreens to stay on in US|publisher=Chicago News.Net|url=http://www.chicagonews.net/index.php/sid/224504233|access-date=August 7, 2014}}</ref> In December of that year, Walgreens purchased the Almus Pharmaceutical generic brand.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Almus/Walgreens purchase $3.85 billion dollars|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1618921/000114036116083198/ex21.htm}}</ref> Also that year, Walgreens acquired [[Farmacias Benavides]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Aznarez|first=Cesar|date=2019-06-11|title=La receta de Walgreens Boots Alliance para que Farmacias Benavides entre a su plan global • Forbes México|url=https://www.forbes.com.mx/estrategias-globales-de-walgrestrategias-globales-de-walgreens-boots-allianceeens-boots-alliance/|access-date=2020-04-23|website=Forbes México|language=es-MX}}</ref> On July 28, 2016, Walgreens announced it would shut down [[Drugstore.com]], as well as Beauty.com, to focus on its own Walgreens.com website.<ref>Northwest Innovation, " [http://www.nwinnovation.com/drugstore_com_beauty_com_to_be_shut_down_by_walgreens/s-0066446.html Drugstore.com, Beauty.com To Be Shut Down By Walgreens]." July 28, 2016.</ref> On September 19, 2017, the [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) approved Walgreens' fourth attempt to purchase Rite Aid, with 1,932 stores, for $4.38 billion.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Langreth |first1=Robert |last2=McLaughlin |first2=David |name-list-style=and |date=September 19, 2017 |title=Walgreens Wins U.S. Approval for Rite Aid Deal on Fourth Try |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-19/walgreens-pact-to-buy-fewer-rite-aid-stores-wins-u-s-approval |access-date=September 19, 2017 |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.]] |location=[[New York City]]}}</ref>