A mainstay in communities across the nation, Walgreens is substantially reducing the number of its outlets. In May and June, there were at least 54 Walgreens locations in 17 states.
Closing Walgreens Stores
According to Walgreens’ official website, these pharmacies will close within the next few weeks:
| State | Address / Location |
| California | 3201 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94123 |
| 1301 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103 | |
| 301 E 18th St, Oakland, CA 94606 | |
| 5055 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609 | |
| Connecticut | 311 E Main St, Middletown, CT 06457 |
| 157 Main St, East Haven, CT 06512 | |
| 173 Danbury Rd, New Milford, CT 06776 | |
| Florida | Near Centre of Tallahassee Mall, Tallahassee, FL |
| Georgia | Washington Rd & Bobby Jones Expressway, Augusta, GA |
| Illinois | 7111 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60636 |
| 3405 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60616 | |
| 9148 S Commercial Ave, Chicago, IL 60617 | |
| 1554 E 55th St, Chicago, IL 60615 | |
| 4745 N Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL 60656 | |
| Kishwaukee St, Rockford, IL | |
| Massachusetts | 324 Hancock St, Quincy, MA 02171 |
| Dorchester, MA | |
| Cambridge, MA | |
| Easthampton, MA | |
| Fairhaven, MA | |
| Haverhill, MA | |
| Marlborough, MA | |
| Methuen, MA | |
| Norton, MA | |
| West Springfield, MA | |
| New York | 5008 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11220 |
| Pennsylvania | 3300 Dekalb Pike, Norristown, PA 19401 |
Customers impacted by these closures have been informed by Walgreens that prescription services can be filled by delivery services or transferred to neighbouring locations. Customers that are affected are receiving notifications via mail.
A well-known conclusion
Following a $3 billion loss, Walgreens announced plans to eliminate 1,200 stores back in October 2024. Nexstar’s latest analysis provides more information about which stores are closing and when, even though the business only provided an overall figure.
This year alone is expected to see at least 500 of those closures.
Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO Tim Wentworth said in a statement that the company is focussing on bolstering its retail pharmacy operations for fiscal 2025 by reorganising its store footprint (i.e., closing less profitable Walgreens and maintaining the strategic ones), reducing operating costs, increasing cash flow, and developing reimbursement plans. a severe set of steps to preserve extremely narrow margins and hold onto market share before stabilising in this changing economy.
Fiscal 2025, according to Tim Wentworth, is a crucial year for reorienting the business’s strategy and advancing initiatives to generate long-term value.
Even while Walgreens is still regarded as the drugstore in America, their conventional business model has been severely impacted by competitors’ home delivery and internet shopping.
Wentworth expressed optimism that the actions being done will eventually result in significant financial improvements and improved customer experiences, even though he noted that the turnaround won’t happen immediately.
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Additionally, the statement explained that approximately 300 of the 1,200 stores that are scheduled to close were previously authorised as part of Walgreens’ Transformational Cost Management Program.
Other pharmacies that are starting to
Other competitors are thriving while Walgreens is struggling to stay in business. Amazon Pharmacy stated on October 9, 2024, that by the end of 2025, it hopes to have expanded its services to include half of the US population.
Walmart launched same-day medication delivery in six states shortly after. By January 2025, it was already accessible in 49 states.
The new strategy used by Walgreens
With an emphasis on four pillars—digital services, delivery, in-store experiences, and drive-through options—Walgreens is moving towards a “omni-channel” strategy.
Rick Gates outlined a strategy that aims to enhance the in-store experience for customers who still appreciate in-person service by fusing the company’s traditional strengths with contemporary technologies.
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In many regions, centralised centres have taken over duties like phone support and data entry, allowing chemists to spend more time with patients.
Gates added that micro-fulfillment centres outside of the chain’s retail outlets now fill more than 40% of the company’s prescriptions.
Along with improving virtual communication capabilities to facilitate customer-pharmacist interactions, Walgreens is also getting ready to implement digital check-in systems that will cut down on wait times.
Traditional drugstores are struggling financially as insurance plans and pharmacy benefit managers keep reducing payment rates.
In response, Walgreens is focussing more on expanding its offerings in areas like health screenings and vaccinations, which Gates noted are areas where insurers are seeking additional assistance.
