Politicians and communities celebrate reopening of Shoppers Drug Mart stores in major flood-impacted zones of Alberta

ALBERTA, Nov. 29, 2013 /CNW/ - This Saturday, November 30^th, another milestone will be reached in keeping with High River's vision of reopening for business after the June floods with the grand opening of Shoppers Drug Mart's location. In addition, the Company will also reopen the Shoppers Drug Mart store in the flood-impacted Mission neighbourhood this Saturday. Both events will feature special guests including municipal, provincial and federal leaders.

"Shoppers Drug Mart is an important part of the Town of High River and its reopening is a call for celebration," says Rick Fraser, Associate Minister for Recovery and Reconstruction of High River and MLA for Calgary-South East. "This opening shows how far this community has come since the flood this summer and it signifies another step in the town's journey to recovery."

"Getting our businesses back up and running is a vital step for our communities in recovering from the June floods - the worst disaster in our province's history," says Kyle Fawcett, Associate Minister for Recovery and Reconstruction of Southwest Alberta and MLA for Calgary.  "I offer my congratulations to Shoppers Drug Mart on this milestone day."

Shoppers Drug Mart supported the relief efforts for those impacted by the flood in conjunction with the Canadian Red Cross, donating cash and emergency supplies valued in excess of $120,000. Additionally, close to 28 million Shoppers Optimum points were donated by customers, which were in turn matched by the Company.

"I am so proud of the way our Shoppers Drug Mart Associate-owners, their store teams and our customers mobilized to support those in need during and after the floods," said Domenic Pilla, President & CEO, Shoppers Drug Mart. "Whether it meant working in another store outside of their community or delivering prescriptions to patients who were immobile, their efforts truly impacted those in need."

As part of their commitment to their communities, local Shoppers Drug Mart Associate-owners and their store teams worked together to ensure residents had access to the prescription medications they needed during the very difficult time.  In fact, Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacists provided close to 6,000 emergency prescriptions for those living in areas impacted by the flooding.

At the height of the floods, nine Shoppers Drug Mart stores were closed throughout Southern Alberta. As a result of the hard work and dedication of Associate-owners and their employees, the Company was able to reopen all but two within a matter of days. Those employees who were displaced by the closures were offered work within other Shoppers Drug Mart Associate-owned stores.

Starting at 9:10 a.m. the Mission store will host Domenic Pilla, Hon. Kyle Fawcett, MP Joan Crockatt, MLA  Kent Hehr and Deputy Mayor Gian-Carlo Carra, and a special Tree of Life cheque presentation will be made in support of women's health in Calgary. In High River, Pilla will be joined by the Mayor of High River Craig Snodgrass, Hon. Rick Fraser and Ian Donovan, Wildrose MLA for Little Bow for its celebratory reopening beginning at 1:10 p.m. where a cheque presentation will be made to Rowan House.

"I am so proud of the way my team has worked to get us back on our feet and to do what we do best, meeting the best in health, beauty and convenience ," said Parveen Gill, Shoppers Drug Mart Associate-owner, Calgary.

"It means so much to me and to the Town of High River to have our store and our pharmacy fully functional again," said Shoppers Drug Mart Associate-owner, High River, Neil Jowsey.

Residents are invited to celebrate the grand reopening of both Shoppers Drug Mart locations on Saturday, November 30^th and take part in a variety of activities and specials. In addition to limited time offers, the two stores will have draws for $25 Shoppers Drug Mart Gift Cards, offer complimentary makeovers and skin analysis with Beauty Advisors and the first 400 customers at both stores will receive a free mini Shoppers Drug Mart Eco-Bag filled with corporate brand products.

About Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation

Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation is one of the most recognized and trusted names in Canadian retailing.  The Company is the licensor of full-service retail drug stores operating under the name Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix in Québec).  With 1,246 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores operating in prime locations in each province and two territories, the Company is one of the most convenient retailers in Canada.  The Company also licenses or owns 55 medical clinic pharmacies operating under the name Shoppers Simply Pharmacy (Pharmaprix Simplement Santé in Québec) and six luxury beauty destinations operating as Murale.  As well, the Company owns and operates 62 Shoppers Home Health Care stores, making it the largest Canadian retailer of home health care products and services.  In addition to its retail store network, the Company owns Shoppers Drug Mart Specialty Health Network Inc., a provider of specialty drug distribution, pharmacy and comprehensive patient support services; and MediSystem Technologies Inc., a provider of pharmaceutical products and services to long-term care facilities.

For more information, visit www.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

SOURCE: Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation

Environics Communications

David Mircheff 
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Shaday Livingston 
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Warren Beddow
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