London Drugs
 |
|
| Private | |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1945 |
| Founder | Sam Bass |
| Headquarters | Richmond, British Columbia |
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Area served
|
British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba |
| Products | Electronics, grocery, pharmaceuticals, health/beauty, photofinishing, insurance services, furniture, toys, and housewares. |
| Parent | Daylin Corporation (1968–1969) |
| Website | www |
London Drugs Ltd. is a Canadian retail store chain with headquarters in Richmond, British Columbia. Its primary focus is on pharmaceuticals, electronics, housewares and cosmetics, with a limited selection of grocery items. As of June 2014, the chain had 78 stores in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia.
London Drugs was founded in 1945 as a small drugstore in Vancouver, British Columbia by Sam Bass. The first location at 800 Main Street, Vancouver, was named after London, England, the home of Canada's King, George VI.
In 1968, London Drugs was sold to Daylin Corporation. The next year, Daylin ran into financial difficulties in the US branch of its business, and decided to put London Drugs up for sale. In 1976 the business was acquired by the H.Y. Louie Group under the direction of President Tong Louie.
Tong Louie expanded the company within BC and, for the first time, beyond the provincial border into Alberta with the first Edmonton location in 1976. In the next ten years, London Drugs tripled its number of stores.
During this growth, the company also began increasing the types of products available in stores. Small kitchen appliances, high end cosmetics and high quality photo equipment quickly became staple items lining the shelves.
In 1981, London Drugs expanded into another non-traditional drugstore category by installing its first One-Hour Photofinishing labs. The introduction of photofinishing labs into the store and the one-hour-photo revolution paved the way for London Drugs’ introduction of a computer department in 1983.
In the 1990s, London Drugs was established as a computer retailer, a photofinishing juggernaut, and a great place to buy blenders and cameras with the heart of the business remaining in pharmacy.
In 2000, the pharmacy lead the way into the new millennium. A unique approach to healthcare partnership included private consultation desks, a new department layout, and use of technology.
In 2004, the St. Vital Shopping Centre in Winnipeg becomes the new home to London Drugs’ first Manitoba store.
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Wikipedia