In years past, Walgreens executives affectionately characterized the company’s business model as a “hedgehog” that stuck close to its core competencies of customer convenience and high-volume pharmacy services. But with new management in place, the company has embarked on a top-to-bottom overhaul of its core operating strategy and is geared toward seeking out new opportunities in merchandising and marketing. Chief among those is an online shopping and store-pickup service called QuickShop that gives customers the option of buying nonprescription products via a new Walgreens website. The company’s Customer-Centric Retailing initiative has led to a major revamp of store merchandising, presentation and décor. Walgreens also is working to position itself as an integrated, broad-based provider of lower-cost patient care and preventive health solutions.
