Walgreens

Walgreens is the pharmacy and retail business operating under its parent, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA), a publicly traded company headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois. The original Walgreens was founded in Chicago in 1901 by Charles R. Walgreen. The modern holding company was formed in 2014 after Walgreens acquired the European pharmacy chain Alliance Boots. As a major global enterprise, Walgreens Boots Alliance reported approximately $147.6 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2024 and employs over 300,000 people.

Walgreens is one of the largest retail pharmacy chains in the United States. Its core business consists of operating thousands of retail drugstores that sell prescription and non-prescription drugs, personal care and beauty products, groceries, and general household items. In addition to its retail operations, Walgreens provides a range of health and wellness services, including immunizations and photo services. The parent company operates through segments including U.S. Retail Pharmacy, International, and U.S. Healthcare, aiming to create an integrated healthcare and retail experience.

As an operating company, Walgreens' patent litigation profile consists of defending itself against infringement claims. The company has appeared as a defendant in one tracked patent case and has not been a plaintiff. This posture is typical for a large, product- and service-based company that becomes a target for patent assertions by other entities.

The company's single tracked case is Alpha Modus, Corp. v. Walgreens et al. In this suit, Walgreens is a defendant alongside other major retailers. This indicates it is facing litigation common to large operating companies, often from non-practicing entities (NPEs) asserting patents against widely used technologies.