SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Add another drug store chain to the list of those that are growing their footprint and expanding their offers. Just as CVS and Walgreens have expanded their sites, the USA Drug chain is building 16,000-sq.-ft. stores with stronger emphasis on gasoline and groceries.
If we can get people to start buying groceries from us, we've got it made, Steve Hooper, store manager of one of the oversized USA Drug sites in Siloam Springs, Ark., told CSP Daily News. People don't come to the drug store to buy groceries. But other than that, business [image-nocss] has done really well.
That includes success at the four gasoline islands (eight pumps) at the concept store that opened January 24. While some USA Drug stores have had gasoline pumps for years, the new concept store makes them part of all future store plans. All the stores that they're planning to build right now are going to be like this one with gas pumps.
So far seven of the 16,000-sq.-ft. stores have been built. The Siloam Springs store is pricing its gasoline to be competitive with a nearby Murphy station in front of a Wal-Mart store. The pump-island area also includes a small kiosk to allow for cash gasoline payment without having to enter the drug store.
The USA Drug chain is owned by Stephen L. LaFrance Pharmacy, Pine Bluff, Ark. The chain includes 170 company-owned and franchised store in six statesArkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. Besides USA Drug, company banners include Ike's Discount, Super D Drugs, May's Drug Stores, Drug Warehouse and Med-X Drugs.
The chain also markets its own line of merchandise under the Select Brand name. The company's wholesale distribution operation, SAJ Distributors, supplies health, beauty and general merchandise to discount, drug and grocery stores.
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