Walgreens Boots Alliance has secured regulatory clearance for an amended and restated asset purchase agreement to purchase 1,932 stores, three distribution centers and related inventory from Rite Aid for $4.375 billion in cash and other consideration. The amended and restated purchase agreement between the parties updates the terms of the agreement with Rite Aid announced in June 2017. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of Rite Aid and Walgreens Boots Alliance and is still subject to other customary closing conditions. Store purchases are expected to begin in October, with completion anticipated in spring 2018.

The consideration for the transaction will now be $4.375 billion in cash, the assumption by Walgreens Boots Alliance of the related real estate leases and the grant of the option to Rite Aid, exercisable through May 2019, to become a member of Walgreens Boots Alliance’s group purchasing organization, Walgreens Boots Alliance Development GmbH. Walgreens Boots Alliance will also assume certain limited store-related liabilities as part of the new transaction.

"This is a significant moment for our company, and we are excited about the opportunities this agreement will deliver for our customers and patients, employees and investors," said Walgreens Boots Alliance Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Stefano Pessina. "Combining Walgreens retail pharmacy network with a strong portfolio of Rite Aid locations is expected to help us achieve enhanced, sustainable growth while enabling us to broaden our reach and provide greater access to convenient, affordable care in more local neighborhoods across the United States. We are confident in the path ahead and look forward to working together to shape the future of health care and deliver on the full potential these stores bring to our network."

After all stores are acquired, stores are planned to be converted to the Walgreens brand in carefully planned phases over time. The stores to be purchased are located primarily in the Northeast and Southern U.S., and the three distribution centers to be purchased are located in Dayville, Conn., Philadelphia, Pa., and Spartanburg, S.C. The transition of these distribution centers to Walgreens will not begin for at least 12 months

Due to the expected timing of store purchases under the amended and restated asset purchase agreement, Walgreens Boots Alliance does not expect the transaction to have a significant impact to its adjusted diluted net earnings per share in its fiscal year ending 31 August 2018. The company expects to realize annual synergies from the new transaction of more than $300 million, which are expected to be fully realized within four years of the initial closing of the new transaction and derived primarily from procurement, cost savings and other operational matters.

The amended and restated asset purchase agreement replaces the earlier purchase agreement entered into by the parties in June 2017, which included 2,186 stores and related assets for $5.175 billion in cash and other consideration.