Shoppers Drug Mart

Shoppers Drug Mart is a pharmacy chain in Canada. They operate in all 10 provinces and 2 territories, they are the largest drug store chain in Canada with over 1000 locations. In Québec, stores are branded as Pharmaprix. They have been owned by Loblaws since 2014. 
== History ==
The origins of Shoppers Drug Mart starts with Koffler Drugs. In 1921, Koffler Drugs began operations. Its CEO was Leon Koffler, throughout the next 20 years, the chain continued to expand in Toronto, Ontario. 
In 1941, Leon Koffler gave 2 stores to his son, Murray Koffler. Who continued to run the stores under the same name. 
In 1955, Leon opened another store at the newly built Don Mills Centre. This was the first store in a shopping mall. 
Throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, the company began to buy out many different pharmacies so they could expand quicker. These stores were very popular because they followed a more modern store concept. These stores didn't have soda fountains, which were popular at the time, these stores sold things other than medicine, and pharmacists had to wear white lab coats to make them look more professional. 
By 1962, they were now a proper company, and they were continuing to grow past 50 stores. 
In the late 1960s, Koffler's Drugs expanded into Western Canada
In the early 1970s, their store at Shoppers World Danforth was renamed to Shoppers Drug Mart, the name was derived from the malls name. As the name change was very successful, all stores were eventually rebranded to Shoppers Drug Mart. 
In the late 1970s, Shoppers Drug Mart expanded into Atlantic Canada. In 1979, Murray Koffler had decided to open a new chain of drug stores in Israel called Super-Pharm, these stores had a very similar format to Shoppers Drug Mart, and they also had the same brands such as Life brand. Super-Pharm continues to operate today in several countries, and they are still owned by the Koffler family. 
In 1986, Murray Koffler had decided to retire from being CEO. He sold the company to Imasco which continued to operate the chain until 2000. 
In 2000, Imasco was taken over by another company, and Shoppers Drug Mart was sold off to various investors. In the same year, the Optimum rewards card was introduced. 
In 2002, the current logo and design of stores was introduced, these stores were much larger then their predecessors, and they included a grocery section and more selection. 
In 2013, the over 1000 store chain was purchased by Loblaws for $12 Billion dollars. The sale was finalized by 2014, and Loblaws became the new owner of Shoppers Drug Mart. Becuase of the take-over, Shoppers Drug Mart began to sell No Name and President's Choice products.
In 2017, the Optimum and PC Plus rewards cards were merged together to make PC Optimum, which is the current rewards card at Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaws stores.
The year after, Shoppers Drug Mart opened their flagship store at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto.
Shoppers Drug Mart continues to be the largest drug store in Canada, and they will most likely will be for many years to come. 
== Store Locations ==
Main Article: Shoppers Drug Mart/Locations
== See Also ==
* Super-Pharm - Former sister-chain
* Lawtons Drugs - A competitor in Atlantic Canada
* Rexall - A competitor
Category:North America
Category:Canada
Category:Drug stores
Category:Loblaws-owned companies
Category:Retailers
Category:Companies
Category:Franchises
Category:Brands