• October 26, 2007 8:00 AM
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Rexall celebrates 100th new concept store milestone in Windsor


    WINDSOR, ON, Oct. 26 /CNW/ - Following an aggressive three year campaign
to expand Rexall's new concept format, Katz Group celebrates the opening of
its 100th new concept store with the Grand Opening of two new Rexall
pharmacies in Windsor today. A new market for Rexall, Rexall staff and
executives were joined by Councillor Caroline Postma, Councillor Ron Jones and
customers to celebrate the company milestone at:-   Rexall Drug Store and Drive-Thru at Huron Church Road and
        Totten Street
    -   Rexall Drug Store at Giles Blvd and Ouellette Ave."The success story behind our 100 new concept stores and all our stores
in our network is the commitment of our pharmacists and staff to our patients
and customers and our community approach to pharmacy care," said Andy
Giancamilli, CEO, Katz Group Canada Ltd./Rexall. "It was important for Rexall
to open our 100th new concept Rexall store in Windsor because it is a new
market for us and representative of our future expansion plans. We are looking
to expand our stores in growth areas where we can make a positive impact in
the community and build on our Rexall heritage. We are very proud to celebrate
this milestone in Windsor, and look forward to continuing to expand our new
format at an even greater pace here and across the country."
    With a history in Canada that dates back to 1904, Rexall has been a
trusted health care partner for generations of Canadians. In 2004, Rexall's
new concept model was developed to translate Rexall's Pharmacy First
philosophy into a new store format. The 11,000+-sq.-ft. pharmacy prototype was
first launched in 2004 in Edmonton, and has since been expanded by Rexall and
Rexall Pharma Plus across the country in growth communities from Vancouver to
Toronto, and new communities such as Windsor. In 2006, the Pharmacy Drive-Thru
service was launched - a feature that is incorporated into all new stores
where possible.
    The new concept format reflects growing patient demands for pharmacist
advice and consultation in areas beyond traditional prescription interaction.
A private consultation room is available for longer pharmacist consultations.
The dispensary area provides an enhanced workflow and a more comfortable work
environment for pharmacists, and the pharmacy counter is lower to facilitate
pharmacist-patient interaction. Throughout the store there is a clean and
modern approach to the design. Aisles have been widened, ceilings are high and
product categories have been expanded in areas of highest product demand such
as health and nutrition. Customers will also find a large new prestige skin
care and cosmetics section and greater selections of convenience categories
including high-demand convenience food products.
    Rexall Pharmacy at Huron Church and Totten features a Drive-Thru
pharmacy. The Drive-Thru pharmacy operates on a two-lane system. The first
lane is used for dropping off prescriptions. The customer inserts their
prescription into a retrieval box that is subsequently transported to the
pharmacy. The second lane, which is closest to the building, is used for
pick-up. Although each lane has a designated function, for the convenience of
the customer both lanes can be used for both drop-off and pick-up, and both
lanes offer an intercom system for private communication with the pharmacist.
    Beyond store design changes, the new concept pharmacy embodies Rexall's
commitment to Pharmacy health care. Since the launch of the new format, Rexall
has developed and launched comprehensive pharmacy programs and services to
enhance the care provided to patients. This includes state-of-the-art
technology, continuing education programs for pharmacists, medication reminder
blister packaging, health clinics, Nutrient Depletion program, comprehensive
health information, and Rexall's newest program - Rexall Refill Reminder
program, the first automated telephone reminder program in Canada.
    Among Rexall's most important core values is Community. Since Rexall
entered the Windsor market in 2006 with the purchase of three pharmacies,
Rexall has proudly supported a number of community initiatives including
Windsor's SummerFest, Windsor Safety Village, and a Senior's Free Ride program
in Amherstburg.
    Grand Opening celebrations will be held over two weekends beginning today
and include free health clinics, specials and promotions, giveaways, and
special events such as free makeovers with Diva on a Dime make-up artist Doug
Atkinson and kids face painting on Saturday, October 27.
    Rexall Drug Store and Drive-Thru is located at 1700 Huron Church Road,
Windsor, ON N9C 2L4. Hours of operation are Monday to Sunday 8:00 a.m. to
10:00 p.m. (Pharmacy dispensary closed at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday).
    Rexall Drug Store is located at 1215 Ouellette Ave., Windsor, ON N8X 1J3.
Hours of operation are Monday to Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Pharmacy
dispensary closed at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday).
    There are a total of six Rexall Drug Stores in the Windsor and
Amherstburg area.

    About Katz Group Canada Ltd.
    ----------------------------
    Katz Group Canada Ltd. is the Canadian subsidiary of Edmonton-based Katz
Group. Katz Group encompasses more than 1,500 corporately owned, franchise and
independent pharmacies across Canada. It is a leading drug store company in
North America and the largest integrated retail pharmacy network in Canada.
Pharmacy banners in Canada include Rexall Drug Stores, Pharma Plus, Rexall
Pharma Plus, The Medicine Shoppe, Guardian, I.D.A., Herbies and Meditrust
Pharmacy - Canada's national mail-order pharmacy. All Katz Group Canada Ltd.
banners exclusively carry Rexall(TM) Brand. For more information on Katz Group
Canada Ltd. pharmacies visit www.rexall.ca.




For further information: Media Contact: Michelle Lee, Director,
Corporate Relations, Katz Group Canada Ltd., (905) 501-7894, mslee@rexall.ca