Eckerd: Seeking an Antidote to Walgreens



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1998

  • Eckerd sells 24 stores to Rite Aid and exits the Alabama market.

  • Buys 17 stores in Florida and 5 in Georgia from Rite Aid.

  • Buys Genovese drug stores, establishing a presence in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

    1999

  • Eckerd.com updated so patients can order refills.

  • Retek selected as the primary vendor for a supply chain and inventory management overhaul.

  • IBM named integrator for Retek project, to be called Quantum Leap

    2000

  • Nearly 300 stores to be closed for lack of profitability.

  • Allen Questrom becomes CEO of J.C. Penney, Eckerd’s parent.

  • Wayne Harris becomes CEO of Eckerd after Frank Newman leaves for more.com.

    2001

  • Outsourcing contract canceled with IBM.

  • Recruiting begins to create Eckerd’s own information technology staff of about 800 people.

  • First test of Quantum Leap inventory tracking system takes place.

    2002

  • First store goes live on Quantum Leap, to automatically replenish shelves.

  • Inventory moves faster through stores, at a rate of 4.8 times a year.

  • TechRx and NDC Health chosen as vendors for new pharmacy computer system.