The Walgreen Co., Deerfield, Ill., announced on September 29 its 34^th consecutive year of record sales and earnings, fueled in part by strong private label sales. The retailer’s private label sales grew by 15 percent compared to a year ago. Walgreens said this growth was helped by the company’s ongoing initiatives to strengthen its private brand quality standards and update packaging. Brandweek reported that Walgreens’ own consumer research reveals that customers think Walgreens own brand products are equal to or better in quality than national brand products.