DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Walgreens announced today the launch of Walgreens Weight Management, a new digital healthcare offering designed to help eligible adults access personalized, clinician- guided support for weight loss. This expands Walgreens' Virtual Healthcare platform and provides patients with convenient access to licensed doctors and nurse practitioners, FDA-approved medication options and ongoing support from the comfort of their home. The program is intended for eligible overweight and ...

This story was originally published on Supply Chain Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Supply Chain Dive newsletter. Walgreens plans to close a distribution center in Houston, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notice viewed by Supply Chain Dive. Following the closure, the company plans to streamline service and deliveries from a single source — a distribution center in Waxahachie, Texas — to better serve customers while reducing workload for ...

Core Insights - Walgreens aims to become America's best retail pharmacy by enhancing the in-store experience for customers and patients [1] - The company is simplifying its organization to expedite decision-making and improve service for millions of customers [1] - Walgreens has announced plans to close dozens of stores in 2026 as part of its restructuring efforts [2] Organizational Changes - The company is making difficult decisions to streamline its support center and field leadership [1] - There is a commitment to support employees during the transition process [1] Store Closures - Walgreens has confirmed the closure of multiple stores, with specific plans set for 2026 [2]

Core Viewpoint - Walgreens is laying off over 600 employees following its acquisition by private equity firm Sycamore Partners, as part of a cost-reduction strategy aimed at improving profitability after facing competitive pressures and operational challenges [1]. Company Actions - Walgreens is cutting 469 jobs in Illinois and plans to cut another 159 positions in Texas due to the closure of a distribution center [1]. - The company is also eliminating paid holidays for some employees as part of the cost-cutting measures [1]. Acquisition Details - Walgreens was taken private for $10 billion last year after experiencing a series of costly missteps and increased competition from lower-priced rivals like Amazon and Walmart [1]. - Sycamore Partners, known for acquiring distressed retailers, aims to enhance store sales by introducing new products such as electronic cigarettes [1].

Walgreens is laying off hundreds of employees across the country as the beleaguered pharmacy chain’s new private equity owners look to cut costs. https://t.co/NU72nFEYna ...

Core Points - Walgreens is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its patients, team members, and communities in response to severe winter storms and cold temperatures forecasted across the country [1] - The company is actively deploying resources to maintain uninterrupted access to essential medications and pharmacy services in affected regions [2] Group 1 - Walgreens stores are providing winter weather preparedness items to help customers stay safe during severe conditions, with availability varying by location [2] - The company offers free same-day delivery for prescriptions and front-of-store needs in certain areas, weather permitting [2] - Walgreens is updating its store locator on its website and mobile app to provide the latest information on store hours and closures [5] Group 2 - Patients can refill prescriptions or transfer medications by contacting their Walgreens pharmacy as soon as possible to avoid disruptions [5] - Walgreens provides 24/7 pharmacy support through the Pharmacy Chat feature on its app and website [5] - For patients using temperature-sensitive medications, Walgreens advises reviewing proper storage instructions in case of power outages to ensure medication effectiveness [5]

Core Insights - The "High Income DIY Portfolios" service aims to provide high income with low risk and capital preservation for DIY investors, particularly targeting income investors such as retirees [1] - The service offers a total of 10 model portfolios, including various strategies for income generation and risk management, with a focus on sustainable yields [2] Group 1: Portfolio Strategies - The service includes seven portfolios: three buy-and-hold, three rotational portfolios, and a conservative NPP strategy portfolio designed for low drawdowns and high growth [1] - The investment approach emphasizes dividend-growing stocks and aims for a 30% reduction in drawdowns while targeting a 6% current income [2] Group 2: Additional Features - The service provides buy and sell alerts, live chat, and strategies for portfolio management and asset allocation to help investors achieve stable, long-term passive income [2]

Group 1 - Major retailers, including Walmart (WMT) and Target (TGT), will close on December 25 [1][2] - Some pharmacies and convenience stores, such as Walgreens (WBA) and CVS, will operate with adjusted hours [1][2]

Core Viewpoint - The appointment of Greg Smith, former Vice President of Medtronic, to Walgreens Boots Alliance signifies a strategic move to enhance the company's healthcare services and transition towards a more integrated healthcare platform [1][8]. Group 1: Greg Smith's Background - Greg Smith has extensive experience in the medical device industry, having held key management positions at Medtronic, including Executive Vice President [2]. - During his tenure at Medtronic, he was responsible for critical business operations, management, and strategic execution, overseeing the entire lifecycle of medical device products from R&D to commercialization [4]. - Smith is recognized for his ability to enhance business collaboration and operational efficiency across multiple product lines rather than focusing on a single line [4]. Group 2: Walgreens' Strategic Shift - Walgreens is undergoing a structural transformation, moving beyond traditional pharmacy retail to expand its healthcare-related services, including primary care, prescription management, and chronic disease follow-up [5][7]. - The company is actively recruiting management talent with healthcare industry backgrounds to improve its capabilities in healthcare compliance, service design, and system integration [7]. - The hiring of Greg Smith aligns with Walgreens' ongoing efforts to professionalize its healthcare business and reflects the company's demand for industry expertise and management skills [8].

Company Overview - Walgreens has over 8,000 stores nationwide and has faced significant financial struggles over the past decade due to opioid-related claims, inflation, tariffs, high interest rates, labor shortages, increased competition, and changing consumer behavior [1][2]. Financial Performance - In its third-quarter earnings report for 2025, Walgreens reported a net loss of $175 million, with U.S. retail sales decreasing by 5.3% year over year [2]. - The company plans to close approximately 1,200 stores over the next three years, including 500 stores in the current year [2]. Industry Trends - Competitors such as CVS and Rite Aid are also closing stores, indicating broader challenges within the pharmacy retail industry [3]. - The rate of pharmacy store closures in the U.S. has doubled in recent years, with nearly 1 in 3 pharmacies closing between 2010 and 2021 [8]. Employment Impact - As Walgreens closes stores, retail employees are losing their jobs, and the company has decided to remove six paid holidays for hourly store workers, including Thanksgiving and Christmas [5][6]. - Workers must now work on holidays to receive any pay, although those who do work on holidays can still receive extra compensation [7]. Demographic Disparities - Pharmacy closure rates are higher in predominantly Black (37.5%) and Latino (35.6%) neighborhoods compared to predominantly white neighborhoods (27.7%) [8].