Walgreens is retracting its retail footprint, with the trusted retail chain closing 500 stores across the U.S. this fiscal year alone.
According to Yahoo Finance, the 500 stores are among 1,200 locations that Walgreens plans to shutter overall. According to Newsweek, Walgreens still runs about 8,500 stores throughout the United States.
The 500 closures started in September 2024 and are expected to take place by August 2025, which is the end of the company’s fiscal year, according to the Coloradoan. Walgreens closed 11 locations in Colorado, the Coloradoan reported, including three stores in April.
Already, reports of Walgreens’ closures are coming in throughout various states, which many occurring in March, April, and May. The chain has not provided a master list of closings.
Walgreens is closing seven Connecticut locations in April and May. Nine locations closed in Massachusetts, mostly in March and April.
A Kansas Walgreens closed in March.
In December 2024, Walgreens closed two locations in Milwaukee, WI.
According to a May 1, 2025, report by ABC 7, long lines were forming at the last remaining Walgreens in San Francisco’s Mission District after the chain closed two dozen stores in the city, although some of those closures dated to 2000. Multiple stores are closing in California, including in Fresno, The Fresno Bee reported.
Walgreens’ website posted a list of suggestions for customers who are dealing with their local store’s closing.
When Walgreens first announced the closures in October 2024, a number of trends were blamed. According to The Associated Press, they include “shrinking prescription reimbursement, persistent theft, rising costs,” and competition from online retailers.
According to AP, the 500 closures span the company’s fiscal year, which started in September 2024. Although Walgreens didn’t provide a list, the company said it was closing “poor-performing stores where the property is owned by the company, or where leases are expiring,” AP noted.
CVS Health and Rite-Aid, which are two Walgreens’ competitors, have been closing locations, too, according to AP.
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