Walgreen Co. · Deerfield, IL United States ·(NYSE: WAG)

Walgreen offers an old-fashioned tonic for fiscal fitness: quality over quantity and homespun growth rather than growth through acquisitions. It works. Walgreen operates 6,850-plus stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico, as well as two mail-order facilities. Prescription drugs account for nearly two-thirds of sales; the rest comes from general merchandise, over-the-counter medications, cosmetics, and groceries. Walgreen usually builds rather than buys stores, so it can pick prime locations. For added convenience, most stores offer drive-through pharmacies, and almost all offer one-hour photo processing. Walgreen is slowing future store openings to focus on strengthening existing stores. To read the full description, subscribe now.