[moonflower]

Press Release
CVS/pharmacy Shoppers Received More Than $1.5 Billion in ExtraCare Rewards Over the Past Year

Nation's largest retail rewards program reveals which U.S. cities save the most dollars by cashing in 'Extra Bucks'

WOONSOCKET, R.I., July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS/pharmacy, America's largest retail pharmacy with 6,300 convenient locations nationwide, today announced that its ExtraCare cardholders received a combined total of more than $1.5 billion in money-saving offers and rewards last year simply by using their ExtraCare card each time they shopped at a CVS/pharmacy location or online at CVS.com. As consumers seek effortless ways to cut costs on everyday needs, a group of "Super Savings" cities have proven that millions of dollars can be saved when shoppers take advantage of the unique benefits provided by ExtraCare.

The following cities represent communities where shoppers saved the highest amount of money through CVS/pharmacy's ExtraCare program during the last six months of 2007:

-- Boston, MA -- shoppers saved nearly $3.4 million in ExtraCare savings and rewards

-- Los Angeles, CA -- shoppers saved more than $2.7 million in ExtraCare savings and rewards

-- Detroit, MI -- shoppers saved approximately $2.5 million in ExtraCare savings and rewards

-- Washington, DC -- shoppers saved more than $2.3 million in ExtraCare savings and rewards

-- Philadelphia, PA -- shoppers saved just over $2 million in ExtraCare savings and rewards

CVS/pharmacy's ExtraCare program is the largest consumer rewards program in the nation, with more than 50 million cardholders. Cardholders receive 2% of all purchases back quarterly, delivered in the form of free "CVS money" called Extra Bucks. Additionally, members receive benefits such as instant targeted offers on register receipts. More than ten million ExtraCare members have enrolled in CVS/pharmacy's email alerts program, which delivers additional coupons and health and beauty information directly to shoppers' email inboxes.

"In today's economy, people are looking for ways to save money wherever they can. The best advice for saving money without feeling the pain is to make small changes in daily activities -- buying store brands instead of name brand products, and taking advantage of rewards programs that can offer savings on everyday purchases," said John Barron, Director of Relationship Management at CVS/pharmacy. "We designed the ExtraCare program to help make saving money easy. Cardholders simply check their receipt or their email inbox for special offers and they get savings and earn rewards. Most importantly, their savings can be applied to products they want and need."

CVS/pharmacy has also made it easier for consumers to budget and plan for savings ahead of time, by introducing monthly Extra Value Books that are available in-store. Extra Value Books provide shoppers with a catalog of instant Extra Bucks that members can receive throughout the month.

About CVS/pharmacy

CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), is America's largest retail pharmacy with 6,300 retail locations. CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving the lives of those we serve by making innovative and high-quality health and pharmacy services safe, affordable and easy to access, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at Welcome | CVS Caremark.

[sweet pea]

That's a great read!

[lesliec]

I feel such a sense of pride.

[jenlovestoteach]

So proud to have contributed to that number!

[stefani1]

That's awesome - see CVS isn't doing away with any of the extrabucks rewards like some think.

[Faith]

I wish I was back in Philly!

[Clyde's Mom]

That was very interesting, Thanks!

[abigirl]

I'm assuming this means CVS awarded $1.5B ECBs. I wonder how many were actually redeemed?

[cal618]

Originally Posted by abigirl

I'm assuming this means CVS awarded $1.5B ECBs. I wonder how many were actually redeemed?

I noticed that too. That would be very interesting to know.

[treasurehouse]

Originally Posted by abigirl

I'm assuming this means CVS awarded $1.5B ECBs. I wonder how many were actually redeemed?

Companys hope you DON"T redeem their savings plans. It is then a win/win for them. They look good because they give you something extra but they don't lose out on the cost of the item because the consumer doesn't redeem it. A very, very small percent of coupons are actually redeemed. With the recent downturn in the economy this number might increase for next year.

How many times do we (the CVS coupon kings and queens) see someone in front or behind us who says "Oh, I don't use the extra care card" or "I don't use the coupons on my receipt". Doesn't this just blow you away and you want to take them to a side aisle and show them how to roll those ECB. I guess it just makes more items in stock for us, the REALLY smart shoppers.

[calstate_brit]

Very interesting read, and you're right treasurehouse, I think only a small percentage of people even know about or take the time to look at the ECBs and CRTs that print at the end of their receipts, so CVS definitely still comes out ahead, even with all us serial-CVSers

Actually, I would've thought that moonflower could single-handedly put MI as the state at the top of the list Come on moonflower, your states even behind mine!!

[moonflower]

Originally Posted by calstate_brit

Very interesting read, and you're right treasurehouse, I think only a small percentage of people even know about or take the time to look at the ECBs and CRTs that print at the end of their receipts, so CVS definitely still comes out ahead, even with all us serial-CVSers

Actually, I would've thought that moonflower could single-handedly put MI as the state at the top of the list Come on moonflower, your states even behind mine!!

roflmao...omg i about peed my pants after I read this!
I am in Lansing, not Detroit..so if Iwere part of Detroit Michigan definately would have beat ya!

[mrsfloyd]

Originally Posted by treasurehouse

Companys hope you DON"T redeem their savings plans. It is then a win/win for them. They look good because they give you something extra but they don't lose out on the cost of the item because the consumer doesn't redeem it. A very, very small percent of coupons are actually redeemed. With the recent downturn in the economy this number might increase for next year.

How many times do we (the CVS coupon kings and queens) see someone in front or behind us who says "Oh, I don't use the extra care card" or "I don't use the coupons on my receipt". Doesn't this just blow you away and you want to take them to a side aisle and show them how to roll those ECB. I guess it just makes more items in stock for us, the REALLY smart shoppers.

I think it's a little different w/ CVS b/c it's a common assumption that the manufacturer's are 'in' on the deals and therefore reimburse CVS at least in part for their special offers. And just b/c someone doesn't have their card doesn't mean CVS is going to make them pay full price just to get an extra few bucks - stores are also instructed to have a high 'scan rate' meaning they either need to scan the customer's card or a universal store card for a certain precentage of transactions. I have also read elsewhere on the net of CVS having 'competitions' between stores to see which ones could generate the *most* ECB redemptions from their customers, and I *think* that part of the regular evaluations for stores has to do w/ how many ECBs are redeemed. So let's all do CVS a favor and keep rolling those bucks. LOL

[CK147]

ExtraCare members have enrolled in CVS/pharmacy's email alerts program, which delivers additional coupons and health and beauty information directly to shoppers' email inboxes.

Additional coupons that only some of us get, not me the last few times.

[Kmchamplin]

If they would build more CVS's in MN, we may be on the list.

[bclarkcaldwell]

it's me and moonflower for MI

Let me tell ya another thing. I do not feel one bit bad for doing it either. I tried my hand at working there for about 6 weeks. I tell ya the things that I seen while working there. I used to feel bad about going in there and getting a cart load for nothing. I don't now! There are ppl that come in there and drop LOTS of money! (like nothing) Lots of men go in there, especially single men. They have money to burn, that is where they get lots of their toiletrees. It's close to home, it is in stock...they don't care that it is marked up! I remember guys coming in and dropping well over a $100 on just refills for their expensive razors, some after shave, hair stuff, a pack of batteries....I couldn't beleive it! I mean, to see that....being on the other side! It was unbelievable! I don't feel bad at all for having 2 cards....heck about 50 % of the ppl that come in there don't have a card, and don't even care that they don't get the sale without it~!!!!!!!!!!!!

I liked the extra money but it got too much to do both couponing and working there 15 hr's a week + my son started freaking out when I would leave! But, now I know.....CVS is making money HAND OVER FIST!

B

[bclarkcaldwell]

bump because I edited

[CookieMom50]

Wow --- I guess I need to go shop even more to "help out" the Chicago #'s --- we didn't even "place"!

I agree --- I'd REALLY like to know the amount of REDEEMED ECB's!

[wkfrank29]

Yeah, I would love to know that redeemed number too. We are finally going to get a CVS here in a few months. I am excited to start earning the ECB's again! I have been without for four months... talk about withdrawls!

[happyhousewife]

Originally Posted by treasurehouse

How many times do we (the CVS coupon kings and queens) see someone in front or behind us who says "Oh, I don't use the extra care card" or "I don't use the coupons on my receipt". Doesn't this just blow you away and you want to take them to a side aisle and show them how to roll those ECB. I guess it just makes more items in stock for us, the REALLY smart shoppers.

Yeah i have a hard time forgiving myself for the day long ago before I even knew what an ECB was when the cashier told me I'd earned $5 in ECB! My preconception was that CVS is way overpriced and only went there if absolutely had to like for pharmacy things. So...I never used that $5. Oh how it hurts@

[mrsfloyd]

LOL Does anyone else here shed a little tear when you see a lonely discarded ECB or $10/$50 crumpled on the ground? So tragic. LOL

[treasurehouse]

Originally Posted by mrsfloyd

LOL Does anyone else here shed a little tear when you see a lonely discarded ECB or $10/$50 crumpled on the ground? So tragic. LOL

lonely, discarded ECB

This just tickled my funny bone. Thanks for the laugh!

[treasurehouse]

Originally Posted by happyhousewife

Yeah i have a hard time forgiving myself for the day long ago before I even knew what an ECB was when the cashier told me I'd earned $5 in ECB! My preconception was that CVS is way overpriced and only went there if absolutely had to like for pharmacy things. So...I never used that $5. Oh how it hurts@

I was one of these people too. I just didn't "get it" and THREW the coupon away. Boy what I could do with the coupons if I had them now!

[calstate_brit]

Originally Posted by mrsfloyd

LOL Does anyone else here shed a little tear when you see a lonely discarded ECB or $10/$50 crumpled on the ground? So tragic. LOL

Yes, I do too!! It's so sad that those CRTs are tied to a particular card and we can't take advantage of them

What's even worse is my memory of a Christmas 3-4 years ago, pre couponing & AFC ~ it was drawing close to the end of the year, and I knew that I still had $100+ remaining in our Flexible Spending Medical Acct, so I figured I would go to CVS (because they were so pricey) and purchase all kinds of medicines to stock up for the next year and use up the Flex $$$. I cringe now as I think about it, because I paid full price had no Qs, didn't know what an EC card was, and the cashier didn't even offer me an EC card even though I made a $100+ transaction

Some horror story, huh? I'm a lot wiser now

[abigirl]

Originally Posted by bclarkcaldwell

There are ppl that come in there and drop LOTS of money!

That used to be me! I used to just wait until I ran out of something then have to go get it no matter what the price. I'm so glad I've learned how to play the game!