After two months of integration, the merger is going extremely well. The merger creates many opportunities to strengthen our identical store sales through exciting new store formats, a stronger remodel program and an expanding pharmacy business.

From a strategic standpoint, this transaction will strengthen our presence in many of our existing markets across the country -- particularly in Northern and Southern California and the Southwest -- and enables us to enter important urban markets like Chicago and Philadelphia for the first time. Additionally, we will enter the stand-alone drugstore business for the first time.

Gary Michael

We hope to start construction in the early spring.

Gary Michael