With 2,725 pharmacies in 21 states, dispensing about 200 million prescriptions annually, Eckerd is well positioned to capitalize on a business being fueled by an aging population. Eckerd employs over 66,000 associates including over 16,500 pharmacy associates. In the front end of its stores, Eckerds is intensifying its focus on two key areas: beauty and digital processing. In beauty, Eckerds has launched a major new program called Feeling Beautiful Starts Here, and it has made a commitment to value pricing and a breadth of assortment in cosmetics and fragrances. In the photo processing business, Eckerd has achieved a very competitive position by investing in new equipment and providing highly trained personnel to capture market share in the film-based side of the business. Eckerd is positioned to provide one-hour on-site digital photo processing service in nearly all of its labs by the end of 2003. J. C. Penney signed definitive agreements in 2004 with The Jean Coutu Group and CVS Corporation for the sale of its Eckerd drugstore operations for a total of $4.525 billion in cash.