Largest Drugstore Chain To Utilize New Category Management Intelligence System

Boca Raton, Florida, 21 August, 2001 — ACNielsen U.S., an operating unit of ACNielsen, a VNU company, today announced an agreement with Walgreen Co. in which the nation`s largest drugstore chain will utilize Category Business Planner (CBP), ACNielsen`s new Web-based category management tool. CBP will be used throughout Walgreens` purchasing department. The announcement was made here during Category Masters, the annual ACNielsen client event for the exchange of ideas on consumer-focused business issues.

Category Business Planner will enable Walgreens and the manufacturers it works with to access product sales information organized according to Walgreens` unique definitions of product categories. CBP automates the analysis of that information, providing users with “news headlines” that report on key category performance metrics. Walgreens is a member of the ACNielsen retail advisory board that shepherded the development of Category Business Planner.

“We are delighted that the nation`s leading drug retailer has decided to go with Category Business Planner,” said Dan Sacco, senior vice president of retail services and business development for ACNielsen. “This decision will not only aid Walgreens in the day-to-day management of the many product categories it carries, but also the manufacturers who do business with the company.”

Walgreens, which operates more than 3,475 stores in 43 states and Puerto Rico, joins a fast growing list of retailers that have announced plans to utilize Category Business Planner, including SUPERVALU, Meijer, and Bruno`s.

ACNielsen, a company of VNU N.V., is the world`s leading market research firm, offering measurement and analysis of marketplace dynamics, consumer attitudes and behavior, and new and traditional media in more than 100 countries. Clients include leading consumer product manufacturers and retailers, service firms, media and entertainment companies and the Internet community.