WALGREENS EXPANDING WITH RXPRESS OPENINGS

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Walgreen, Deerfield, Ill., is expanding rapidly here with its newest concept, called "Walgreens RxPress." Five have been opened here since June and a sixth is planned. One of the Spokane RxPress stores is open 24 hours.

he building is a drive-up window.

The Walgreens tactic in this market has been essentially to "buy the business" with low prices, according to one market observer, who added that area mass merchandisers appear to be the most affected. The RxPress format represents the drug chain's first foray into Washington, said Michael Polzin, a Walgreen spokesman.

The first RxExpress opened in Chicago in 1989, according to Polzin. Other RxPress stores have since been opened in Evansville, Ill., and Wichita, Kan.