Walgreens co-chief operating officer Alex Gourlay told shareholders last month that the company is looking at what happens to customers in Gainesville who are used to buying cigarettes and no longer do now that the stores dont sell them
Retailers in particular especially those who position themselves as health-and-wellness-minded businesses are on the front lines of these efforts and must take that legal obligation seriously." For its part, Walgreens said it welcomes the opportunity to meet with the FDA Administrator to discuss all of the steps we are taking since the health and wellbeing of our customers is our top priority and core mission. We take this matter very seriously and have taken a number of steps to help address the important issue of sales of these products to minors, including requiring identification for anyone purchasing tobacco products regardless of age in all of our stores nationwide, Walgreens said
While it took a little time to regroup from that sudden sales shock, Id argue that CVS tough tobacco call will yield many long-term benefits with health care partners and customers because of the greater credibility it brings to its corporate brand and reputation
Smoking rates have been going down, but then weve seen this rise in the electronic devices, Michaels said
Previous Slide Next Slide 14 Highlights From the Tobacco Plus Expo Bigger boost with Walgreens
Thats because buying tobacco, especially cigarettes, is an impulse buy on steroids, retail experts say
