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S E C U R I T I E S A N D E X C H A N G E C O M M I S S I O N
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
X Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996.

or
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Transition Period From _________________ to _______________

Commission file number 1-604.

WALGREEN CO.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

ILLINOIS 36-1924025
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

200 WILMOT ROAD, DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS 60015
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (847) 940-2500

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Name of each exchange
Title of each class on which registered
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
COMMON STOCK ($.3125 PAR VALUE) CHICAGO STOCK EXCHANGE
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
PREFERRED SHARE PURCHASE RIGHTS CHICAGO STOCK EXCHANGE

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: NONE

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days.
Yes X No ______

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by
reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this form 10-K. [ ]

AS OF OCTOBER 31, 1996, THERE WERE 246,141,072 SHARES OF WALGREEN CO.
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.3125 PER SHARE, ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING AND THE
AGGREGATE MARKET VALUE OF SUCH COMMON STOCK HELD BY NON-AFFILIATES (BASED UPON
THE CLOSING TRANSACTION PRICE ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE) WAS APPROXIMATELY
$9,064,665,000.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
PORTIONS OF THE ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
1996, ONLY TO THE EXTENT EXPRESSLY SO STATED HEREIN, ARE INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE INTO PARTS I, II AND IV OF FORM 10-K. PORTIONS OF THE REGISTRANT'S
PROXY STATEMENT FOR ITS 1996 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD JANUARY
8, 1997, ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO PART III OF FORM 10-K.


PART I


Item 1. Description of Business

(a) General development of business.

Walgreen Co. (the "company" or "Walgreens") is America's largest drugstore
retailer and during the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, had net sales of
$11,778,408,000. The company served customers in 34 states and Puerto Rico
through 2,191 retail drugstores and 2 mail order facilities.

In fiscal 1996, the company opened 210 new or relocated drugstores,
completed remodelings of 71 units, and closed 102 drugstores. In the last five
fiscal years, the company has opened 872 new drugstores, 2 new mail service
facilities, acquired 15 stores, completed remodelings of 481 units and closed
341 drugstores and one mail service facility. In addition, one major
distribution center was added during the five-year period.

Prescription sales were 45.2% of total sales for fiscal 1996 compared to
43.4% in 1995 and 40.8% in 1994. Pharmacy sales trends are expected to continue
primarily because of expansion into new markets, increased penetration in
existing markets and demographic changes such as the aging population.

The company expects to open at least 230 new stores in fiscal 1997,
including units in the new markets of Detroit and Kansas City. Plans are to
escalate new store openings to 300 per year beginning in 1998 and to be
operating 3,000 stores across the country by the year 2000. Intercom Plus, an
advanced pharmacy computer and workflow system, is expected to be completed in
fiscal 1997.

(b) Financial information about industry segments.

The company's primary business is the operation of retail drugstores.

(c) Narrative description of business.

(i) Principal products produced and services rendered.

The drugstores are engaged in the retail sale of
prescription and nonprescription drugs and carry additional
product lines such as general merchandise, cosmetics,
toiletries, liquor and beverages, and tobacco.


1


The estimated contributions of various product classes
to sales for each of the last three fiscal years are as
follows:

Percentage
Product Class 1996 1995 1994

Prescription Drugs 45% 43% 41%
General Merchandise * 24 24 24
Nonprescription Drugs * 13 13 13
Cosmetics, Toiletries * 8 8 9
Liquor, Beverages 7 8 9
Tobacco Products * 3 4 4

Total Sales 100% 100% 100%
====== ====== ======
* Estimated based, in part, on store scanning
information.

(ii) Status of a product or segment.

Not applicable.

(iii) Sources and availability of raw materials.

Inventories are purchased from numerous domestic and
foreign suppliers. The loss of any one supplier or group of
suppliers under common control would not have a material
effect on the business.

Fuel and other sources of energy are relied upon for the
distribution of merchandise and in the general operations of
the retail stores. Increased energy costs over the years
have not materially increased the cost of operations.

(iv) Patents, trademarks, licenses, franchises and
concessions held.

Walgreens markets products under various trademarks and
trade names and holds assorted business licenses
(pharmacy, occupational,liquor, etc.) having various lives,
which are necessary for the normal operation of business.

(v) Seasonal variations in business.

The business is seasonal in nature, with Christmas
generating a higher proportion of sales and earnings than
other periods. See the caption "The Walgreen Year...A Review
by Quarters" on Page 30 of the Annual Report to Shareholders
for the year ended August 31, 1996 ("Annual Report"), which
is incorporated herein by reference.

(vi) Working capital practices.

During fiscal 1996 the company did obtain funds through
the placement of commercial paper. The company generally
finances its inventory and expansion needs with internally
generated funds. However, short-term borrowings are
anticipated during fiscal 1997 to support working capital
needs. Long-term borrowings may be necessary due to the
planned escalation of new store openings.


2
Due to the nature of the retail drugstore business,
sales are principally for cash. Customer returns are
immaterial.

(vii) Dependence upon limited number of customers.

Sales are to numerous customers which include various
managed care organizations; therefore, the loss of any one
customer or a group of customers under common control would
not have a material effect on the business. No customer
accounts for ten percent or more of the company's
consolidated revenue.

(viii) Backlog Orders.

Not applicable.

(ix) Government contracts.

The company is not a party to any significant government
contracts.

(x) Competitive conditions.

The drug store industry is highly competitive. As one
of the volume leaders in the retail drug industry, Walgreens
competes with various retailers, including chain and
independent drugstores, mail order prescription providers,
grocery, variety and discount department stores. Competition
remained keen during the fiscal year with the company
competing on the basis of price, convenience, service and
variety. The company's geographic dispersion tends to offset
the impact of temporary economic and competitive conditions
in individual markets.

Sales by geographic area for fiscal 1996 were as
follows:
Percent
State of Sales
Florida 19
Illinois 16
Texas 8
Arizona 7
California 6
Wisconsin 5
28 other states and Puerto Rico 39
100
===
(xi) Research and development activities.

The company does not engage in any material research
activities.

(xii) Environmental disclosures.

Federal, state and local environmental protection
requirements have no material effect upon capital
expenditures, earnings or competitive position of the
company.

(xiii) Number of employees.

The company employs approximately 77,000 persons, about
25,000 of whom are part-time employees working less than 30
hours per week.

3

(d) Financial information about foreign and domestic operations and
export sales.

All the company sales occur within the continental United States
and Puerto Rico. There are no export sales.

Item 2. Properties

The number and location of the company's drugstores is incorporated by
reference to the table under the caption "Walgreens Nationwide" on page 33 of
the Annual Report. Most of the company's drugstores are leased. The leases are
for various terms and periods. See the caption, "Leases" on page 26 of the
Annual Report, which section is incorporated herein by reference. The company
owns approximately 6% of the retail stores open at August 31, 1996. The
decision has been made to purchase, rather than lease, more store locations than
in the past. This may necessitate future long-term borrowings. The company has
an aggressive expansion program of adding new stores and remodeling and
repositioning existing stores. Net selling space of drugstores was increased
from 20.7 million to 22.1 million square feet at August 31, 1996. Approximately
60% of company stores have been opened or remodeled during the past five years.

The company's retail drugstore operations are supported by nine warehouses
with a total of approximately 3,300,000 square feet of space, of which 2,500,000
square feet is owned. The remaining space is leased with an option to buy. All
warehouses are served by electronic data processing systems for order processing
control, operating efficiencies and rapid merchandise delivery to stores. In
addition, the company uses public warehouses to handle distribution needs.
Distribution capacity is adequate now, but as the company continues to expand,
additional space will be needed to maintain service levels. Studies are ongoing
to determine where and when distribution space will be added.

The company owns one mail service facility with a ground lease and leases a
second facility. The combined square footage of the facilities is approximately
120,000 square feet. There are four principal office facilities containing
approximately 500,000 square feet of which 400,000 square feet is owned and the
remainder is leased. The mail order and office facilities are adequate for
current needs.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The information in response to this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the caption "Contingencies" on page 27 of the Annual Report.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year.


4


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The following information is furnished with respect to each executive
officer of the company as of August 31, 1996:

NAME AND BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AGE OFFICE HELD

Charles R. Walgreen III 60 Chairman of the Board,
Chairman of the Board since April Chief Executive Officer
1976 and Director
Chief Executive Officer since 1971
Director since 1963

L. Daniel Jorndt 55 President, Chief Operating
President and Chief Operating Officer and Director
Officer since February 1990
Director since January 1990

Vernon A. Brunner 56 Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President since
February 1990

Glenn S. Kraiss 63 Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President since
February 1990

David W. Bernauer 52 Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President since July 1996
Chief Information Officer since
February 1995
Vice President
February 1990 to July 1996
Treasurer
February 1990 to June 1992

Roger L. Polark 48 Senior Vice President and
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer since
February 1995
Vice President since June 1988

John A. Rubino 55 Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President since July 1991

William A. Shiel 45 Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President since July 1993
Vice President
May 1985 to July 1993

Robert C. Atlas 61 Vice President
Vice President since September 1987


5

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT - continued:

NAME AND BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AGE OFFICE HELD


W. Lynn Earnest 53 Vice President
Vice President since July 1992
Treasurer July 1992 to February 1996
Regional Vice President
July 1980 to June 1992

Robert H. Halaska 56 Vice President
Vice President since April 1995
President, WHP Health Initiatives, Inc.
since October 1995
President, Walgreens Healthcare Plus,
Inc. since September 1991
Senior Vice President, Sales &
Marketing, Blue Cross/Blue
Shield of Illinois
February 1985 to September 1991

Jerome B. Karlin 54 Vice President
Vice President since September 1987

J. Randolph Lewis 46 Vice President
Vice President since March 1996
Divisional Vice President, Logistics
and Planning
September 1992 to February 1996
Partner, Ernst & Young
October 1986 to August 1992

Julian A. Oettinger 57 Vice President,
Vice President, Secretary and Secretary and
General Counsel since January 1989 General Counsel

Roger H. Clausen 54 Controller
Controller since June 1988

Jeffrey A. Rein 44 Treasurer
Treasurer since March 1996
District Manager
July 1990 to February 1996


There is no family relationship between any of the aforementioned
officers of the company.



6


PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Stock and Related Security
Holder Matters

The company's common stock is traded on the New York and Chicago
Stock Exchanges under the symbol WAG. As of October 31, 1996 there were
37,878 recordholders of company common stock according to the records
maintained by the company's transfer agent.

The range of the sales prices of the company's common stock by
quarters and the cash dividends declared per common share during the two
years ended August 31, 1996 are as follows:

Dividends Common Stock Prices
Declared 1996 1995
Quarter Ended 1996 1995 High Low High Low
November $ .11 $.0975 $31 1/4 $24 1/2 $21 3/16 $18 1/2
February .11 .0975 36 3/8 28 1/2 24 20 1/4
May .11 .0975 34 7/8 30 7/8 24 13/16 22 13/16
August .11 .0975 34 7/8 30 3/4 26 9/16 23 5/8
Fiscal Year $ .44 $.39 $36 3/8 $24 1/2 $26 9/16 $18 1/2

==========================================================================

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The information in response to this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the caption "Eleven-Year Summary of Selected Consolidated
Financial Data" on pages 18 and 19 of the Annual Report.

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations

The information in response to this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results
of Operations and Financial Condition" on pages 20 and 21 of the Annual
Report.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

See Item 14.

Item 9. Disagreements on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.



7

PART III

The information required for Items 10, 11 and 12, with the
exception of the information relating to the executive officers of the
Registrant, which is presented in Part I under the heading "Executive
Officers of the Registrant", is incorporated herein by reference to the
following sections of the Registrant's Proxy Statement:

Captions in Proxy Proxy Page Numbers

Names and ages of Director nominees,
their principal occupations and
other information 2

Securities Ownership of Directors and Executive 4 - 5
Officers

Executive Compensation 6 - 11



8
PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Documents filed as part of this report

(1) The following financial statements, supplementary data, and auditors'
report appearing in the Annual Report are incorporated herein by
reference.
Annual
Report
Page Number
Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Retained Earnings 22
for the years ended August 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994

Consolidated Balance Sheets at August 31, 1996 and 1995 23

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 24
for the years ended August 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994

Statement of Major Accounting Policies 25 - 26

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 26 - 28

Report of Independent Public Accountants 29

Summary of Quarterly Results for the years ended 30
August 31, 1996 and 1995 (Unaudited)

Walgreens Nationwide 33

(2) The following financial statement schedule and related auditors'
report are included herein.
10-K
Page Number
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 14

Supplemental Report of Independent Public Accountants 15

Schedules I, III, IV and V are not submitted because they are not
applicable or not required or because the required information is
included in the Financial Statements in (1) above or notes thereto.

Other Financial Statements -

Separate financial statements of the registrant have been omitted
because it is primarily an operating company, and all its subsidiaries
are included in the consolidated financial statements.

9

(3) Exhibits 10(a) through 10(n) constitute management contracts or
compensatory plans or arrangements required to be filed as exhibits
pursuant to Item 14(c) of this Form 10-K.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

A report on Form 8-K was filed on July 11, 1996, reporting under "Item
5. Other Events." that the Board of Directors of the Registrant had on July 10,
1996 declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each
outstanding share of common stock of the Registrant. The dividend distribution
was made on August 21, 1996, to shareholders of record on that date. The rights
replaced preferred share purchase rights that expired August 21, 1996.

(c) Exhibits

3. (a) Articles of Incorporation of the company, as amended, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3(a)
to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended August 31, 1995, and incorporated by reference
herein.

(b) By-Laws of the company, as amended and restated effective as
of February 1, 1990, filed as Exhibit 4.03 to the company's
Form S-8 Registration Statement on July 15, 1992
(Registration No. 33-49676), and incorporated by reference
herein.

4. (a) (i) Walgreen Co. Debt Securities Indenture dated as of
May 1, 1986, between the company and Harris Trust and
Savings Bank, Trustee, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4(c) to the company's
Form S-3 Registration Statement on May 22, 1986
(Registration No. 33-5903), and incorporated by
reference herein.

(ii) Walgreen Co. Resolutions of Pricing Committee Relating
to Debt Securities, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4(a) to the company's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 17, 1986
(File No. 1-604), and incorporated by reference herein.

(b) Rights Agreement dated as of July 10, 1996, between the
company and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 1. to
Registration Statement on Form 8-A on July 11, 1996, and
incorporated by reference herein.

10. (a) Top Management Long-Term Disability Plan. (Note 3)

(b) Executive Short-Term Disability Plan Description. (Note 3)

(c) Walgreen Management Incentive Plan (as restated effective
October 12, 1994), filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as Exhibit 10(a) to the company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 1994, and
incorporated by reference herein.



________________________________________________________________________________
See Notes on page 13.

10

(d) (i) Walgreen Co. Restricted Performance Share Plan and
amendments thereto effective October 18, 1988 and July
8, 1992, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as Exhibit 10(d) to the company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August
31, 1992, and incorporated by reference herein.

(ii) Amendment No. 3 to the Walgreen Co. Restricted
Performance Share Plan (effective September 1, 1994),
filed as Exhibit 10(b) to the company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30,
1994, and incorporated by reference herein.

(e) (i) Walgreen Co. Executive Stock Option Plan (as amended
effective October 13, 1992) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 19 to the company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
February 28, 1993, and incorporated by reference
herein.

(f) (i) Walgreen Co. 1986 Director's Deferred Fee/Capital
Accumulation Plan. (Note 1)

(ii) Walgreen Co. 1987 Director's Deferred Fee/Capital
Accumulation Plan. (Note 2)

(iii) Walgreen Co. 1988 Director's Deferred Fee/Capital
Accumulation Plan. (Note 4)

(iv) Walgreen Co. 1992 Director's Deferred Retainer
Fee/Capital Accumulation Plan. (Note 8)

(g) (i) Walgreen Co. 1986 Executive Deferred
Compensation/Capital Accumulation Plan. (Note 1)

(ii) Walgreen Co. 1988 Executive Deferred
Compensation/Capital Accumulation Plan. (Note 4)

(iii) Amendments to Walgreen Co. 1986 and 1988 Executive
Deferred Compensation/Capital Accumulation Plans.
(Note 6)

(iv) Walgreen Co. 1992 Executive Deferred
Compensation/Capital Accumulation Plan Series 1.
(Note 8)

(v) Walgreen Co. 1992 Executive Deferred
Compensation/Capital Accumulation Plan Series 2.
(Note 8)

(h) Walgreen Co. Executive Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan (as
restated effective April 13, 1994), filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10(b) to the company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31,
1994, and incorporated by reference herein.







________________________________________________________________________________
See Notes on page 13.
11
(i) (i) Form of Change of Control Employment Agreements.
(Note 5)

(ii) Amendment to Employment Agreements adopted July 12,
1989. (Note 7)

(j) Walgreen Select Senior Executive Retiree Medical Expense
Plan.

(k) (i) Walgreen Co. Profit-Sharing Restoration Plan (restated
effective January 1, 1993), filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10(k) to the
company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended August 31, 1993, and incorporated by
reference herein.

(ii) Walgreen Profit Sharing Restoration Plan Amendment No.
1 (effective October 12, 1994), filed as Exhibit 10(c)
to the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended November 30, 1994, and incorporated by
reference herein.

(l) Walgreen Co. Retirement Plan for Outside Directors. (Note 7)

(m) Walgreen Section 162(m) Deferred Compensation Plan (effective
October 12, 1994), filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as Exhibit 10(d) to the company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 1994, and
incorporated by reference herein.

(n) Agreement dated October 13, 1994, by and between Walgreen Co.
and Charles D. Hunter (for consulting services), filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 10(e) to
the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended November 30, 1994, and incorporated by reference
herein.

11. The required information for this Exhibit is contained in the
Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Retained Earnings for the
years ended August 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 and also in the
Statement of Major Accounting Policies, each appearing in the
Annual Report and previously referenced in Part IV, Item 14,
Section (a)(1).


13. Annual Report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31,
1996. This report, except for those portions thereof which are
expressly incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K, is being
furnished for the information of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and is not deemed to be "filed" as a part of the filing
of this Form 10-K.

21. Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23. Consent of Independent Public Accountants.

27. Financial Data Schedule.



________________________________________________________________________________
See Notes on page 13.

12

NOTES

(Note 1) Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
Exhibit 10 to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended August 31, 1986 (File No. 1-604),
and incorporated by reference herein.

(Note 2) Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
Exhibit 10 to the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended November 30, 1986 (File No. 1-604),
and incorporated by reference herein.

(Note 3) Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
Exhibit 10 to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended August 31, 1990 (File No. 1-604),
and incorporated by reference herein.

(Note 4) Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
Exhibit 10 to the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended November 30, 1987 (File No. 1-604),
and incorporated by reference herein.

(Note 5) Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
Exhibit 10 to the company's Current Report on Form 8-K
dated October 18, 1988 (File No. 1-604), and incorporated
by reference herein.

(Note 6) Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
Exhibit 10 to the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended November 30, 1988 (File No. 1-604),
and incorporated by reference herein.

(Note 7) Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
Exhibit 10 to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1989 (File No.
1-604), and incorporated by reference herein.

(Note 8) Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
Exhibit 10 to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended August 31, 1992, and incorporated by
reference herein.


13

WALGREEN CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE II--VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

(Dollars in Thousands)




Additions
Balance at Charged to Balance at
Beginning Costs and End
Classification of Period Expenses Deductions of Period

Allowances deducted from receivables
for doubtful accounts -


Year ended August 31, 1996 $ 24,633 $ 2,035 $(12,192) $ 14,476
======== ======== ========= ========

Year ended August 31, 1995 $ 21,601 $ 7,499 $ (4,467) $ 24,633
======== ======== ========= ========

Year ended August 31, 1994 $ 23,050 $ 4,018 $ (5,467) $ 21,601
======== ======== ========= ========



14

SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Walgreen Co.:

We have audited in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards, the consolidated financial statements
included in Walgreen Co. and Subsidiaries' annual report to
shareholders incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K,
and have issued our report thereon dated September 27, 1996.
Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion
on those statements taken as a whole. Schedule II included
in this Form 10-K is the responsibility of the company's
management, is presented for purposes of complying with the
Securities and Exchange Commission's rules, and is not part
of the basic financial statements. The supplemental
schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures
applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and,
in our opinion, fairly states in all material respects the
financial data required to be set forth therein in relation
to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.



Arthur Andersen LLP


Chicago, Illinois
September 27, 1996



15

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

WALGREEN CO.
(Registrant)


By ______R. L. Polark_______ Date: November 27, 1996
R. L. Polark
Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf
of the registrant, and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Name Title Date


____C. R. Walgreen III____ Chairman of the Board, Chief November 27, 1996
C. R. Walgreen III Executive Officer and Director

_____L. D. Jorndt__________ President, Chief Operating November 27, 1996
L. D. Jorndt Officer and Director


_____Roger H. Clausen______ Controller November 27, 1996
Roger H. Clausen

_____Theodore Dimitriou____ Director November 27, 1996
Theodore Dimitriou

_____James J. Howard_______ Director November 27, 1996
James J. Howard

_____C. D. Hunter__________ Director November 27, 1996
C. D. Hunter

_____Cordell Reed__________ Director November 27, 1996
Cordell Reed

_____John B. Schwemm_______ Director November 27, 1996
John B. Schwemm

_____William H. Springer___ Director November 27, 1996
William H. Springer

_____Marilou M. von Ferstel Director November 27, 1996
Marilou M. von Ferstel




16



INDEX TO EXHIBITS


A. DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THIS REPORT

Exhibit 10(j) Walgreen Select Senior Executive Retiree Medical
Expense Plan.

Exhibit 13 Annual Report to Shareholders for the Fiscal
Year Ended August 31, 1996.

Exhibit 21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

Exhibit 23 Consent of Independent Public Accountants.

Exhibit 27 Financial Data Schedule.

B. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Exhibit 3(a) Articles of Incorporation of the company, as amended.

Exhibit 3(b) By-Laws of the company, as amended and restated.

Exhibit 4(a)(i) Walgreen Co. Debt Securities Indenture dated
as of May 1, 1986, between the company and
Harris Trust and Savings Bank, Trustee.

Exhibit 4(a)(ii) Walgreen Co. Resolutions of Pricing Committee
Relating to Debt Securities.

Exhibit 4(b)(i) Rights Agreement dated as of July 9, 1986,
between the company and Harris Bank and Trust
Company.

Exhibit 4(b)(ii) Amendment to Rights Agreement dated as of
October 18, 1988, between the company and Harris
Bank and Trust Company.

Exhibit 10 Material Contracts

(a) Top Management Long-Term Disability Plan.

(b) Executive Short-Term Disability Plan
Description.

(c) Walgreen Management Incentive Plan,
as restated.

(d) (i) Walgreen Co. Restricted Performance Share
Plan, as amended.

(ii) Amendment No. 3 to the Walgreen Co.
Restricted Performance Share Plan.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS
(continued)


(e) (i) Walgreen Co. Executive Stock Option Plan,
as amended.

(f) (i) Walgreen Co. 1986 Director's Deferred
Fee/Capital Accumulation Plan.

(ii) Walgreen Co. 1987 Director's Deferred
Fee/Capital Accumulation Plan.

(iii) Walgreen Co. 1988 Director's Deferred
Fee/Capital Accumulation Plan.

(iv) Walgreen Co. 1992 Director's Deferred
Retainer Fee/Capital Accumulation Plan.

(g) (i) Walgreen Co. 1986 Executive Deferred
Compensation/Capital Accumulation
Plan.

(ii) Walgreen Co. 1988 Executive Deferred
Compensation/Capital Accumulation
Plan.

(iii) Amendments to Walgreen Co. 1986 and
1988 Executive Deferred Compensation/
Capital Accumulation Plans.

(iv) Walgreen Co. 1992 Executive Deferred
Compensation/Capital Accumulation Plan
Series 1.

(v) Walgreen Co. 1992 Executive Deferred
Compensation/Capital Accumulation Plan
Series 2.

(h) Walgreen Co. Executive Deferred
Profit-Sharing Plan, as restated.

(i) (i) Form of Change of Control Employment
Agreements.

(ii) Amendment to Employment Agreements.

(k) (i) Walgreen Co. Profit-Sharing Restoration
Plan, as restated.

(ii) Walgreen Profit Sharing Restoration Plan
Amendment No. 1.

(l) Walgreen Co. Retirement Plan for
Outside Directors.

(m) Walgreen Section 162(m) Deferred
Compensation Plan.

(n) Consulting Agreement between Walgreen Co.
and Charles D. Hunter.