BRAMPTON, ON, March 23, 2012 /CNW/ - (TSX:L) - Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) announced today an agreement to
purchase a majority of Zellers Inc. prescription files. This move
underscores Loblaw's commitment to becoming the nation's health and
wellness destination of which pharmacy is a cornerstone. Loblaw will
provide continuity of care to Zellers' pharmacy patients starting with
a customer-focused transition plan.
The arrangement comprises prescription files from 95 Zellers pharmacies
across the country, excluding British Columbia and Quebec. Loblaw has
close to 500 pharmacies, which ensures there is a Loblaw banner store
pharmacy neighbouring each of the 95 locations and a team ready to
welcome Zellers patients. The aggregate purchase price for the files
will be approximately $35 million.
"Our goal is to be the number one nutrition and health destination in
Canada. We feed more Canadians than any other grocery retailer in the
country and with this comes responsibility to help them make healthier
food and lifestyle choices. Our pharmacy business plays an important
role in this effort," said Michael Lovsin, senior vice-president,
Health and Wellness, Loblaw Companies Limited. "This purchase offers an
unprecedented opportunity for the continued growth of our pharmacy
business."
Loblaw's commitment to livelifewell™ means providing a high level of quality care, service and convenience
to its pharmacy patients. In this spirit, Loblaw is pleased to be
working with Zellers to create opportunities for Zellers pharmacists
and technicians to join Loblaw's pharmacy network.
"We are pleased that Loblaw will be taking on a majority of our
prescription files. Its industry leading health management programs and
the proximity of Loblaw pharmacy locations to our own will benefit our
patients," said Lori Fasano, general merchandise manager of Pharmacy
for Zellers. "We will work closely with Loblaw to ensure a smooth
transition plan and minimize any inconvenience to our customers."
Zellers patients can be assured that Loblaw and Zellers are committed to
ensuring customer information remains protected in accordance with
applicable privacy legislation.
Loblaw has been committed to enhancing its pharmacy service by rolling
out new information technology systems and implementing new methods
which improve prescription processing times and enable pharmacists to
spend more time with their patients.
With more than thirty years of history in the Canadian pharmacy
business, Loblaw offers in-store dietitians, patient education programs
and registered pharmacy technicians to address the health and wellness
needs of customers. This offering extends to partnerships with third
party organizations such as Hypertension Canada, the Canadian Diabetes
Association and Anaphylaxis Canada to bring exclusive products and
services to Loblaw customers.
Additionally, Loblaw banner stores are home to more than 100 affiliated
medical clinics, 100 optical stores and 60 Good Life Fitness
facilities. Loblaw offers a wide range of healthy products, including
more than 300 natural value products and President Choice® Blue Menu. From seafood to meat to produce and baked goods, Loblaw
banner stores sell the most fresh food of any retailer in Canada*,
making it a one-stop health and wellness destination.
To learn more about Loblaw banner store pharmacies, and list of Zellers
pharmacies and Loblaw banner stores involved in this pharmacy
prescription file transfer, please visit www.drugstorepharmacy.ca and Loblaw.ca
Loblaw pharmacies are located at Loblaws®, Loblaw greatfood™, Zehrs®, Zehrs greatfood™, Fortinos®, Real Canadian Superstore™, nofrills®, valu-mart®, Atlantic Superstore®, Save-Easy®, Provigo®, Maxi® & Cie, Extra Foods®, Wholesale Club™, Your Independent Grocer®, SuperValu® and Dominion locations in Newfoundland only
Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is
Canada's largest food retailer and a leading provider of drugstore,
general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one
of the largest private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000
corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its
franchisees employ more than 135 000 full-time and part-time employees.
Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to
providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of
products and services to meet the everyday household demands of
Canadian consumers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and
value of its food offering. It offers Canada's strongest control
(private) label program, including the unique President's Choice®, no
name® and Joe Fresh® brands. In addition, the Company makes available
to consumers President's Choice Financial® services and offers the PC®
points loyalty program.
This news release contains forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect
Loblaw's current expectations concerning future results and events.
These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ
materially from current expectations, including but not limited to
those risks and uncertainties discussed in Loblaw's materials filed
with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time,
including the Enterprise Risks and Risk Management section of the MD&A
included in Loblaw's 2011 Annual Report. Loblaw cautions that this list
of factors is not exhaustive. These forward-looking statements reflect
Loblaw management's current assumptions regarding these risks and
uncertainties and their respective impact on Loblaw. Potential
investors and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance
on these forward-looking statements, which reflect Loblaw's
expectations only as of the date of this news release. Loblaw disclaims
any intention or obligations to update or revise these forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise, except as required by law.
*AC Nielsen