CVS finishes conversion of Revco stores in area

CVS/pharmacy has completed its conversion of 40 Revco drugstores in the Baltimore region, making CVS the area's second-largest pharmacy retailer.

The conversion is part of the Rhode Island retailer's national plan to convert 2,600 Revco stores to the CVS name by the end of the year. CVS bought Revco D. S. Inc. in May.

Renovated stores have wider aisles, brighter lights, wall-to-wall carpeting and redesigned layouts.

The purchase of the former Revcos boosted CVS from fourth place to second in the Baltimore area, behind Rite Aid Corp.

"It certainly makes us a contender," said Bob Dianora, area vice president. "This will give us the impetus to solidify our presence in the Baltimore market. It allows us to become more competitive to a player like Rite Aid much more quickly than we would have, given the normal manner of growing stores."

Besides the converted stores, CVS has 21 drugstores in the area.

CVS plans to continue closing smaller stores in shopping centers and building free-standing stores with drive-through pharmacies that will be open 24 hours.

Pub Date: 1/23/98