Deerfield, IL — Posting February sales of $5.31 billion, Walgreen Co. says this represents a 3.2 percent increase for the same month in 2009. The company cites pharmacy and front-end sales jumps as responsible.

February pharmacy sales were up 3.7 percent while total front-end sales increased 4.5 percent. Comparable store sales on the front-end, however, saw a 0.6 percent decline, which the company attributes to “continued weak demand for discretionary items and lower incidence of flu.”

Walgreens says it opened seven stores during the month, acquired 11 and closed one for a total of 7, 679 locations nationwide.