Walgreens is continuing its nationwide store closure initiative as part of a broader turnaround plan, but the company now expects to close fewer than 100 stores in 2026, a significant reduction from earlier internal projections of roughly 700 closures for that year [1]. This adjustment follows Walgreens' October 2024 announcement that it would shutter approximately 1,200 underperforming stores over three years, with about 500 closures anticipated during fiscal 2025, primarily targeting locations with negative cash flow [1].
The closure strategy was reportedly scaled back after Walgreens went private in 2025, according to Inc. [1]. Despite the ongoing closures, Walgreens continues to operate thousands of stores across the United States and remains one of the country’s largest pharmacy chains [1].
Recent and upcoming closures include locations in the District of Columbia, Illinois (Chicago and Rockford), Missouri (Bridgeton and St. Louis), New Jersey (Bogota), New York (Brooklyn), South Carolina (Beaufort), Texas (a Houston distribution center), Virginia (Arlington), Washington (Seattle), and Wisconsin (Milwaukee) [1]. One Chicago store closure was attributed to declining prescription sales and elevated theft, highlighting the financial and operational pressures influencing these decisions [1].
Walgreens regional Vice President Reginald Johnson emphasized that closing stores is a last resort, stating, "I'm here today because we're closing the store at 86th and Cottage Grove. But I just want to make sure everyone understands closing stores [is] not our goal. This is the last resort" [1].
CONCLUSION
Walgreens is reducing the scale of its store closures for 2026, planning fewer than 100 shutdowns instead of the previously projected 700. The company continues to focus on closing underperforming locations as part of its turnaround strategy, while maintaining a significant national presence.