Quite a few investors took notice, bidding up the stocks of major national drug retailers.
Since the wholesalers were to educate the drug retailers during their normal business interactions with them, the programme was called "vendor-to-vendor."
Mr. Melville, who headed the Melville Corporation, a major national footwear, apparel and drug retailer.
Big B was finally becoming a major drug retailer in the Atlanta area.
Experts say that independent pharmacies are not the only drug retailers struggling.
Still, drug retailers are facing pressure on profits.
With annual sales of more than $10 billion, it ranks as the sixth-largest food and drug retailer in the country.
American Stores is one of the nation's largest food and drug retailers, operating 1,678 stores in 27 states.
The insurance companies are squeezing the drug retailers on reimbursement levels.
Brazil Pharma (drug retailer)
