In Brief: Walgreens/Rite Aid Deal; Indie Beauty; More

摘要

Walgreens Boots Alliance acquires Rite Aid in a $17.2 billion deal. Market researcher Kline & Co. estimates that indie cosmetics brands grew almost 19% in 2014. More news in brief. As part of the firm's goal to become a one-stop shop for wellness, Walgr eens Bo o ts Allianc e Inc . announced Oct. 27 plans to acquire Rite Aid C o r p . for an estimated $17.2 billion. The move signals the company's intention of competing with the C VS Health C o r p . and Tar get C o r p . pharmacy merger announced in June of this year. "Today's announcement is another step in Walgreens Boots Alliance's global development and continues our profitable growth strategy. In both mature and newer markets across the world, our approach is to advance and broaden the delivery of retail health, wellbeing and beauty products and services," says Walgreens Boots Alliance Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Stefano Pessina. Walgreens presently comprises 31% of the Pharmacies and Drug Stores industry in the US, while Rite Aid holds a 10% of market share. Comparatively, CVS accounts for 58% of the total industry, according to an Oct. 28 release from research firm IBISWorld. As a result of the acquisition, the pharmacy and drug store industry "is likely evolving into a duopoly," according to IBISWorld analyst Sarah Turk.