Longs Drug Stores Corp., the biggest operator of drug stores in Hawai'i, reported a higher second quarter profit today, helped by a slight increase in retail drug store sales and rapid growth in its pharmacy benefit services unit.

The Walnut Creek, Calif.-based company, which has agreed to be bought by CVS Caremark Corp. said its preliminary net income rose to $27.5 million, or 76 cents per share, from $26.6 million, or 69 cents per share, a year earlier.

Longs, which competes with CVS as well as Walgreen Co., and Rite Aid, said revenue rose 4.6 percent to $1.33 billion, below the $1.35 billion expected by analysts.