Walgreens has cemented itself over the years for providing quality products at reasonable prices, but recently, they’ve made an announcement that could impact millions of Americans across the United States. In a bid to cut costs and improve profitability in a declining retail landscape, 1,200 stores are going to be shut down in multiple states in the future.
A comprehensive list has not been released, but dozens of states are expected to be affected, with 500 stores planning to close in 2025. When these stores close, consumers will be affected as their access to pharmacies will become more limited, and local employees will face retrenchment.
Losing Access To Important Locations
Many communities rely on local pharmacies like Walgreens to give them affordable medicines. With over a thousand stores closing in the future, pharmacy deserts could be created, where local communities’ access to important medication dries up. This issue is exacerbated in rural and poor areas where access to these services is already limited.
Those who rely on Walgreens for prescriptions or healthcare treatments will now have to go further out of their way to find other locations that offer similar services, and for others, it may not be possible, cutting off access entirely.
Local Economies
Consumers won’t be the only ones facing uncertainty and hardship; the implications on local economies are also significant. Walgreens employs thousands of employees, including pharmacists, store managers, and retail staff. When locations close, employees aren’t often transferred, and in many cases, they lose their jobs as a result.
Communities that are already economically disadvantaged will be hit the hardest, showcasing the consequences that closing down locations can have on millions of people across multiple regions.
Urban Development
With so many Walgreens closing in the future, there are consequences for urban and other retail sectors. With stores vanishing from strip malls and other centers, their absence can lower property values and lead to a reduction in foot traffic, affecting other retail stores that depend on the consumers brought to the centers by Walgreens. Anchor stores play a vital role in keeping malls and other centers profitable and open.
These vacancies would have to be filled quickly in order to maintain the viability of malls, and new tenants could be hard to find in a timely manner, leading to a loss in revenue for stores and mall owners alike.
A Change In Healthcare
The retail landscape is changing, and not just for traditional retail stores but also pharmacies. Customers who have access to digital markets prefer to order online, and this includes medication. It is an easy and convenient way that showcases a digital shift in consumer behavior.
However, as the demand declines for physical stores, there are many communities that do not have access to digital services or can’t wait days for their medication to be delivered. These areas will be affected the most as physical stores start to retract in favor of digital markets. Isolated and rural areas need a change in infrastructure to facilitate a wider online reach.
Not Just Medication
Walgreens may be well known for their pharmacies, but consumers aren’t only buying medication, but also beauty and fashion items. Walgreens has long been a provider of affordable beauty products like makeup to make it more accessible for everyone, narrowing the economic disparity between classes.
Closing locations could lead many populations to be without access to fast fashion and makeup accessories, disempowering many communities. Many purchases of fashion and beauty products are spontaneous, and boost sales inside pharmacies. The sales of affordable-priced beauty products will lower with the store closure, leading many brands to adopt new approaches to the affordable makeup and fashion industry.
Impact On Fashion Trends
Walgreens has long been a retailer that provided accessible fashion to the masses, bringing affordable fashion trends to a broader audience. Inside its stores, people can find trendy items such as scarves and other apparel. This meant that consumers who don’t live near big fashion outlets could still take part in fashion trends for a reasonable price.
With fewer Walgreens in the future, fewer people could have access to these fashion items, making trends reach fewer people or find them too late.
More than A Pharmacy
If affordable fashion becomes less accessible, the short-term hardships could spur fashion retailers to diversify their options and broaden their reach as they notice an underserved market where Walgreens were. Brands may think of innovative ways of reaching consumers to compensate for the loss of primary retail sellers.
These factors showcase that Walgreens is more than just a retail store, but a provider of everything from essential medication to fashion and beauty products to communities that need it most. If a list of store closures is released, consumers affected should seek alternative pharmacies and transfer their prescriptions to ensure a smooth transition.
Consumers Could Face Major Disruptions
More than half of consumers who shop at Walgreens say that they would be inconvenienced, some more than others, if their local branch closed. Many shoppers go to Walgreens not only for their affordable prices, wide selection of items, and pharmacy, but also for the convenience. During flu seasons, people know they can rely on Walgreens to offer prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines.
In many communities, people can’t afford expensive hospital visits and rely on pharmacy services to keep them healthy. If vulnerable communities lose access to nearby Walgreens locations, there could be serious health implications.
Why Is Walgreens Closing Their Stores?
Walgreens will close its stores in the future in an effort to focus on profitability. With fewer stores to manage, Walgreens can reinvest in the most profitable locations, enhancing its services in the process. While Walgreens does plan on improving customer experiences inside the remaining stores, that doesn’t solve the issue of reduced access and longer wait times in isolated regions.
Consumers will need to adapt to this new model, seeking alternative pharmacies, transferring prescriptions, and finding new places that offer affordable fashion accessories and beauty products.
Discover more DIY hacks and style inspo- Follow us to keep the glow-up coming to your feed!
Love content like this? Tap Follow at the top of the page to stay in the loop with the latest beauty trends, DIY tips, and style inspo. Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments — we love hearing from you!