Corporate Overview

Bartell Drugs set for “next generation” store renovations, new website, health and wellness initiatives and expanded community partnerships in 2012

SEATTLE— Three generations of the Bartell family have continuously focused on the future--and how the Seattle-based drugstore chain could better serve its customers. In 2012, Bartell Drugs continues several initiatives begun in 2011, launches a new website and introduces new community partnerships.

Founded in 1890, the nation’s oldest family-owned drugstore chain currently plans renovations at several stores, including Magnolia and Edmonds. The stores will feature elements of a striking new interior concept introduced at the Bartell’s store in Seattle’s Roosevelt Square in the fall of 2011.

Bartells developed the new “store of the future” floorplan and design in conjunction with the Bellevue-based Hartman Group, a nationally-recognized consumer consulting firm. New product areas, including the inviting new “Fresh Beauty” cosmetics section, “Urban Market,” “Sweets & Snacks,” “Wellness Courtyard” and “Creative Print Studio,” are spotlighted through the use of attractive lighting, signage and bright new displays.

Bartells continues a program of adding more natural, organic and locally-produced products. These include probiotic products, new supplements, cosmetics, hair coloring, cough and cold remedies, and other categories.

New, customer-friendly website introduced

Bartells introduces an all-new, completely re-designed website in 2012 with more customer-friendly features and health and wellness resources. It’s an easy-to-navigate site offering Quick Scripts express prescription refills, current sales information, social media sharing, searchable health services, and community and health program calendars. It also includes information on the company’s current initiatives, and stories with photos of the company’s history, growth and successes over the past 122 years.

Convenient in-store health care awareness programs and services

Bartells continues its history of serving the health and wellness needs of its customers through innovative pharmacy programs.

Bartells has been a long-time resource for flu and pneumonia immunizations, and the company also offers a range of health screenings, including those for bone density, as well as testing for cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure. Bartells has extended its immunization outreach to local businesses and community groups as a convenient way to leverage health and wellness services within the community.

The company has continued to expand its International Travel Clinics, now available at 11 Bartells locations. The clinics provide consultation, as well as medications and/or vaccinations for business and leisure travelers for conditions ranging from altitude and motion sickness, typhoid and malaria, to yellow fever.

Celebrating healthy and beautiful living, Bartells will continue its signature in-store “Health & Beauty Events” in the spring and fall of 2012. These encompass beauty tips and demonstrations with selected vendors coupled with health clinics and a schedule of mobile digital mammography screenings in partnership with Evergreen Hospital Medical Center.

State of the art in-store and online digital services

Since the early days of photo film processing, Bartells has been recognized as a national leader in providing a wide range of photo finishing services. The company’s photo, sound and cellular departments provide customers with a wide range of employee-assisted and self-service features.

In late 2011, Bartell Drugs introduced new Web-based premium photo products with the completion of a chain-wide conversion to KODAK Adaptive Picture Exchange (APEX). The upgrade at all Bartell Drugs locations provides new options for the rapidly-growing number of customers who prefer to create and order products from home via the Web.

The system allows a variety of products to be downloaded and printed at Bartell locations, including prints and enlargements, double-sided photo books, calendars, customized greeting cards and other products--and pick them up the same day.

Commitment to community

Through a variety of initiatives and partnerships, Bartell Drugs supports community programs that enhance the health, knowledge and well-being of the communities we serve.

New in 2012, Bartell Drugs and other local businesses have teamed up with the Pacific Science Center to introduce an innovative and highly interactive permanent new exhibit, Professor Wellbody's Academy of Health & Wellness. Set to open in October, the 7,000 square-foot display includes hands-on inventions, gadgets, activities and experiences--presenting health as a life-long process of balancing exercise, diet, proper rest and hygiene.

The company launches a new partnership with Food Lifeline in 2012 to help replenish local food banks during the summer months, with all stores serving as collection points for packaged food items. Bartell Drugs’ efforts over the past three years have generated over 100,000 pounds of donated food items to help meet critical needs during this time of year.

In late 2011, the company introduced the “B” Caring Card program, an ongoing fundraising tool for local schools, churches and other qualifying non-profit organizations. In conjunction with eScrip (Electronic Scrip Incorporated), this program contributes up to 4% of the purchase amount by “B” Caring Card holders to qualifying organizations of their choice.

Other programs set for 2012 include the “School Tools” school supply collection initiative with World Vision; the “Toy ‘n Joy” toy drive supporting the Salvation Army’s Christmas Angel program; “Teddy Bear Patrol” collection efforts with WARM 106.9-FM; the “Purchase a Miracle” program; and sponsorship of Mr. Yuk Stickers and poison prevention education in conjunction with the Washington Poison Center.

Bartells continues its support of the Medic One Foundation through sales of “Vial of L.I.F.E.,” a simple, lifesaving tool. With thousands sold to date at Bartells, each 5-inch “prescription” plastic vial contains medical forms with key information about an individual’s medical history in the event of an emergency.

Founded in 1890, Bartells celebrates its past as it looks to the future with its ongoing support of HistoryLink.org, the first and largest encyclopedia of community history created expressly for the internet. Focusing on Washington state and local history, HistoryLink provides a free and easily accessible history reference about our region for students, teachers, journalists, scholars, researchers and the general public.

Environmental leadership

Bartells has been at the forefront of providing recycling and environmentally-sound disposal options for its customers. Through a free, chain-wide recycling program for CFL (compact fluorescent light bulbs), customers can bring used bulbs to a Bartells location for deposit in a designated recycling bin.

Recycling and disposal programs for used batteries and old cell phones are another recent addition by the company for customer convenience.

Bartells has also played a key leadership role in the environmentally safe disposal of unwanted prescription drugs. Several Bartell Drug stores are drop-off locations in the statewide “Take It Back Network,” focusing on preventing improper disposal in landfills and sewers as well as misuse and theft. The medications can be dropped off at secure in-store disposal bins.

Bartells offers a variety of re-usable shopping bags for shoppers’ convenience and to promote sustainability.

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Media Contacts

Theron Andrews, V.P. of Marketing,
Bartell Drugs, 206.763.2626

Barry Bartlett
Bartlett Group Public Relations,
206.335.4694, barry@bartlettgrouppr.com