Is Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. a Buy?

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., established in 1901 and based in Deerfield, Illinois, operates as a leading global retailer focused on pharmacy, health, and beauty products. Its business activities are organized into two primary divisions: the United States and International. In the United States, the company dispenses prescription drugs and offers a diverse selection of retail goods. This includes items for health, wellness, beauty, and personal care, alongside general merchandise and consumable products, all available through its extensive network of retail drugstores. The U.S. segment also provides specialized central pharmacy services and mail delivery options for prescriptions. As of August 31, 2021, this division managed 8,965 retail outlets under the Walgreens and Duane Reade banners, complemented by five specialty pharmacies. The International segment focuses on the sale of prescription medications, health and wellness items, beauty products, personal care essentials, and other consumer goods. These are sold through its pharmacy-centric health and beauty retail locations, optical practices, its online platform boots.com, and an integrated mobile application. Additionally, this segment engages in pharmaceutical wholesale and distribution operations within Germany. By August 31, 2021, the international portfolio included 4,031 retail stores operating under brands such as Boots, Benavides, and Ahumada, located across countries including the United Kingdom, Thailand, Norway, the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands, Mexico, and Chile. It also oversaw 548 optical practices, with 160 of these operating as franchises.