Shop 'n Save Grows Pharmacy Division with Acquisition of Rinderer's Drug Stores

KIRKWOOD, Mo., Oct 18, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- SHOP 'N SAVE, a grocery and drug retailer serving the St. Louis metropolitan area and Springfield, Ill., is expanding its network of pharmacies with the purchase of Rinderer's Drug Stores, Inc., a family-owned company that has served the metro area for generations.

The sale involves all six Rinderer's stores. Next month, three of the locations will become SHOP 'N SAVE pharmacies. The remaining Rinderer's stores will be closed later this month and their prescription files transferred to other existing pharmacies in SHOP 'N SAVE grocery stores.

Letters will be sent to customers of the closing Rinderer's stores, to make sure they know where their prescriptions will be transferred and the dates the changes will take place.

SHOP 'N SAVE is also taking other steps to make the transition easier for affected customers. The company will accept all prescription insurance plans currently accepted by Rinderer's, and SHOP 'N SAVE plans to hire as many Rinderer's associates as possible, so patients will continue to see familiar faces behind the counter.

"We are delighted to welcome new customers to our pharmacies, as we work to make this transition as seamless as possible" said SHOP 'N SAVE President Marlene Gebhard.

"Our new patients can be confident that we will offer excellent service, as well as a number of resources that can help improve their health and well being."

Based in St. Louis, Mo., Rinderer's has a long history in the area. The Carlisle family owned the company and operated its stores for almost 50 years, prior to the recent sale.

"We want to thank our customers for giving us the opportunity to serve them for such a long time, and I believe this acquisition puts them in very good hands," said Matthew Carlisle, President of Rinderer's Drug Stores, Inc. "SHOP 'N SAVE's plans for our stores and associates ensure our patients will receive the same standard of care provided by Rinderer's, with minimal disruption during the transition."

The purchase of the six Rinderer's stores will increase the number of pharmacies operated by SHOP 'N SAVE to 34 in the St. Louis metropolitan area and Springfield, Ill.