Walgreens to Acquire USA Drug Pharmacy Chain

Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreen Co. has entered into an agreement to purchase a regional drugstore chain in the mid-South region of the United States from Stephen L. LaFrance Holdings Inc. The transaction includes 144 stores currently operated under the USA Drug, Super D Drug, May’s Drug, Med-X and Drug Warehouse banners. The stores are located in Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Tennessee. The acquisition also includes corporate offices, a distribution center located in Pine Bluff, Ark., and a wholesale and private brand business, for a total of approximately $438 million. The transaction is expected to close Sept.