Walgreens to close 150 U.S. locations

FILE - This June 25, 2019, file photo shows a sign outside a Walgreens Pharmacy in Pittsburgh. Walgreens slashed its earnings forecast for the year, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, and raised a cost-cutting goal after missing analyst profit expectations in its fiscal third quarter. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

FILE - This June 25, 2019, file photo shows a sign outside a Walgreens Pharmacy in Pittsburgh. Walgreens slashed its earnings forecast for the year, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, and raised a cost-cutting goal after missing analyst profit expectations in its fiscal third quarter. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

DEERFIELD, Ill. – Walgreens plans to close more than 100 store locations across the United States, the company announced June 27.

The pharmacy store chain will close 150 U.S. locations by the end of August 2024, Walgreens confirmed in a statement to NBC Chicago. Walgreens has not yet announced which stores are targeted for closure.

The company cited struggling sales, part of which is affected by lower COVID-19 vaccine and testing sales.

Walgreens reported $118 million of net earnings in its fiscal 2023 third quarter earnings report, released June 27, marking a 59% decrease from $289 million in net earnings reported for the same period last year. In addition, Walgreens’ expected full-year adjusted earnings has dropped to between $4 and $4.05 per share, down from a previous forecast of $4.45 to $4.65 per share.

“Our revised guidance takes an appropriately cautious forward view in light of consumer spending uncertainty, while still demonstrating clear drivers of a return to operating growth next fiscal year,” CEO Rosalind Brewer said.

“I am confident that our turnaround strategy positions WBA to drive sustainable core growth and deliver long-term shareholder value,” she added.

In addition to closing 150 Walgreens locations across the U.S., Walgreens Boots Alliance – the holding company which owns Walgreens and Boots retail stores – also will close 300 Boots locations in the United Kingdom, according to NBC Chicago.

About the Author