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Walgreen Tuesday posted an 8.3 percent increase in February sales at stores open at least a year, as an extra day in the month due to leap year and strong Valentine's Day sales overshadowed a decline in flu-related prescriptions.
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Excluding the extra day, same-store sales rose 4.2 percent, the company said.
Pharmacy same-store sales were up 8.3 percent, but up only 4.1 percent excluding the extra day.
Walgreen had been hit by a slow start to the flu season this winter. While more flu cases were reported during February, flu-related prescriptions were below the year-earlier level, Walgreen said.
Pharmacy sales were also hurt by the switch of allergy medicine Zyrtec to over-the-counter status, Walgreen said, although that switch helped "front end" sales, or sales of general merchandise.
Front-end same-store sales, were up 8.2 percent, the company said. Front-end same-store sales were up 4.6 percent excluding the extra day.
Walgreen [WAG
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] shares closed at $36.45 on Monday on the New York Stock Exchange. The stock is down 4 percent this year, while shares of rival CVS Caremark Corp is up about 1 percent.
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