CVS Health
Summary of Industry Characteristics
December 31, 2014

Summary
The Food and Drug Store industry consists of stores that primarily focus on the sale of food, drugs (nonprescription and prescription), or a combination of both. Typically smaller than General Merchandisers, such as Wal-Mart, the companies in the Food and Drug Store industry provide grocery products such as cold and hot foods, pharmaceuticals, general pet care, and typical household products meant for everyday living. Stores that fall within the industry may specialize in one aspect over the other, such as CVS Health in pharmacy and health care. Even though the major products of the industry are food and drugs, there are several other minor products like health clinics and fuel centers that play an important role in the industry.

Industry Sales
The industry revenues can range from $139,367 Million to $14,194 Million and profits range from $4,644 Million to $113 Million, just within the companies within the Fortune 500. Their revenue is mostly derived from their sales of their inventory, no matter which side of the industry they sell from. Since most companies will use FIFO inventory methods, this helps decrease their product waste due to expiration dates and will increase their total sales and revenue. Their highest costs tend to be for plant, property, and equipment. Kroger, for example, owns a majority of the buildings where their retail stores are located and they are slowly disposing of their leased properties. Majority of their long-term debt is for leased properties and should decrease in 2016 with the disposing of some of their leased properties. Both sides of the industry are headed into a healthier world, such as eliminating tobacco products and providing organic foods. This is hindering some companies, such as CVS who is losing $2 Billion from it, or aiding in their growth.