The Jean Coutu Group, Longueuil, Canada, has purchased the Eckerd Drugstore chain, which consists of approximately 1,550 stores and support facilities in the U.S., for nearly $2.4 billion. Jean Coutu is now the fourth largest drugstore chain in North America with a network of more than 2,200 stores, according to executives. The drugstores will continue to operate under the Eckerd name....