Eckerd Corporation

Eckerd Corporation
IndustryRetail
Founded1898; 126 years ago (1898)
Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Defunct2007; 17 years ago (2007)
FateAcquired by Rite Aid
HeadquartersLargo, Florida, U.S. (as Eckerd)
Warwick, Rhode Island, U.S. (under Jean Coutu)
Products
ParentJCPenney (1996–2004)
Jean Coutu Group (2004–2007)
Websiteeckerd.com (2006 archive)

Eckerd Corporation was an American pharmacy retail chain that was headquartered in Largo, Florida,[1] and toward the end of its life, in Warwick, Rhode Island.[2] At its peak, Eckerd was the second-largest pharmacy chain in the United States, with approximately 2,802 stores in 23 states as far west as Arizona.

An independent chain for most of its existence, Eckerd was purchased by JCPenney in 1996. Following years of losses and failed attempts to turn around the company, the chain was divided in 2004, with 1,271 of its stores, and its mail-order business, sold to competitor CVS, and the remainder acquired by Jean Coutu Group.[3] Jean Coutu sold the chain to Rite Aid in 2007, and its name was phased out soon thereafter.

  1. ^ "Eckerd Offers You Advantages and Opportunities Unique in Our Industry!." Eckerd. February 3, 1997. Retrieved on June 19, 2010. "Eckerd Corporation 8333 Bryan Dairy Rd. Largo, Florida 34647"
  2. ^ "Contacting Us." Eckerd. Retrieved on June 19, 2010. "Mail: 50 Service Ave., Warwick, RI 02886."
  3. ^ Gilpin, Kenneth N. (2004-04-05). "J. C. Penney Sells Eckerd Chain for $4.5 Billion". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-11-26.