Levin 'Happy' for employees, Delaware customers

Drug Store News,  June 26, 2006  

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NEWARK, Del. -- The merger with Walgreen Co. will be a plus both for Happy Harry's customers and its employees, chairman and chief executive Alan Levin said in mid-June.

In an interview June 15, Levin said the chain's customers would benefit from Intercom, Walgreens' national, fully integrated pharmacy computer system, and from "a better in-stock situation because of the systems they have." For the chain's employees, he added, the merger provides job advancement opportunities both regionally and nationally as Walgreens expands across the United States.

"They share our philosophy of promoting from within ... and they re a very forward-thinking company," Levin told Drug Store News.

For his own part, said Levin, "My job is to aid as best I can with the transition [and] trying to be a conduit between the past and the future.

"I'm happy to fill that role," he added. Among other things, that means continuing to be a spokesman for the chain in radio advertising and other media, and directing the chain's continuing community outreach and philanthropic efforts.

Levin foresees a gradual transition as the merger plays out. "The stores are still going to be run under our banner for awhile; it could be as long as five years in this market."

On the other hand, said Levin, it made sense to convert the eight Happy Harry's stores in Pennsylvania to Walgreens' logo and format right away. "They re known there. They're not known in Delaware."

No decision has yet been made for the handful of stores in Maryland and the single unit in New Jersey.

"I think Walgreens is handling this the right way: not making change just for the sake of change, really evaluating what's right and wrong and taking it as slow as possible," Levin said.

In line with that effort, Happy Harry's leader signed a three-year employment contract with Walgreens, and will remain "as long as it s productive for both of us," said Levin. And, squelching a longstanding rumor, he said he had no interest in returning to politics.

Levin once served in Delaware's state attorney general's office and for a time was chief of staff to the late U.S. Sen. William Roth. But when asked if he was considering a run for Delaware governor, his reply was quick and to the point.

"Absolutely not. Maybe five or 10 years ago I would have considered it, but ... it's not worth what you put your family through."

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning