ND1006113

Title: Drugstore Food More Costly

Description: A new survey finds that groceries in drugstores and pharmacies typically are more expensive than in grocery stores.

Page Content:

SOMMERVILLE, Mass. -- Drugstores have been stocking up on grocery items recently in an effort to gain more business. However, a new survey discovered that groceries can cost a whole lot more at pharmacies and drugstores, the Boston Globe reports.

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Consumerworld.org compared the prices of three drugstores?CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreen?with three supermarkets?Market Basket, Shaw?s and Stop & Shop?in the Sommerville, Mass., area. On the 25 household and grocery products compared, the drugstores priced the items 36 percent more than the average grocery store cost.

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Walgreen replied to the survey by saying that ?location, availability, and cost to do business in various neighborhoods?? factored into pricing. ?While we do offer many food items as a convenience to the communities we serve, we are not a grocer,? the chain said.

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CVS spokesman Michael DeAngelis said customer demand was behind its addition of more groceries in stores, and that it focused more on the health and beauty care products than grocery items.

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Market Basket wasn?t surprised by the survey results, saying it tries to give consumers low prices. ?We do our very best working with suppliers, and we?re very fortunate having the support of a large number of customers,?? said David McLean, spokesman for Demoulas, which operates Market Basket stores. ?We don?t complicate the shopping experience . . . there?s not gimmicks where we inflate prices, then offer double coupons. We respect our customer.?

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Content Subject: Operations

Formatted Article Date: October 6, 2011

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