"Today's announcement is another step in Walgreens Boots Alliance's global development and continues our profitable growth strategy," said Walgreens Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Stefano Pessina in a statement. "This combination will further strengthen our commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to more customers and patients. Our complementary retail pharmacy footprints in the U.S. will create an even better network, with more health and wellness solutions available in stores and online. Walgreens Boots Alliance will provide to Rite Aid its global expertise and resources to accelerate the delivery of integrated frontline care, and to offer innovative solutions for providers, payers and other entities in the U.S. healthcare system."