Walgreens Broadens Social Media Presence, Surpassing 1 Million Facebook Fans and Integrating its Store Network through Facebook Places and Foursquare

Walgreens recognizes Facebook milestone with free photo book offer for fans

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Walgreens (NYSE:WAG) (NASDAQ:WAG), the 110-year-old drugstore chain once known for its soda fountains and surgical dressings, is now making a name for itself in social media. The company recently surpassed 1 million fans on Facebook, the world’s largest social platform, and has also integrated its network of more than 7,700 drugstores through mobile platforms on Facebook Places and Foursquare.

“This is part of our commitment to 360-degree social media marketing. Through these social media tools, we’re able to extend valuable offers and effectively interact with our followers through a number of different online and mobile vehicles.”

Walgreens has quickly become the chain drugstore retailer with the largest following on Foursquare, while developing a growing presence on other social communities, including Twitter and YouTube.

“We’ve embraced social media, and the consumer engagement we've generated shows the value of these tools for our customers and the many ways they interact with Walgreens,” said Sona Chawla, Walgreens President of E-commerce. “This is part of our commitment to 360-degree social media marketing. Through these social media tools, we’re able to extend valuable offers and effectively interact with our followers through a number of different online and mobile vehicles.”

In recognition of reaching 1 million Facebook “likes,” Walgreens is offering a free photo book for all of its Facebook fans. The classic, 8.5 x 11-inch linen photo book is free to Walgreens Facebook fans who get and use the promotional code by visiting the Walgreens Facebook page any time after 9 a.m. CDT today through midnight July 9. Shipping charges are not included.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2010 sales of $67 billion. The company operates 7,733 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.