Walgreens to close fewer than 100 U.S. stores in 2026

Walgreens announced it will shut fewer than 100 stores across the United States in 2026, continuing a multiyear downsizing effort that began in October 2024. The plan follows the 2025 purchase of the chain by private‑equity firm Sycamore Partners for roughly $10 billion, which has accelerated cost‑cutting measures.

The company has already closed locations in California, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New York, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, the District of Columbia and Wisconsin, listing specific addresses such as 1301 Market Street in San Francisco and 12041 Palm Beach Boulevard in Fort Myers. Reasons cited include declining drug‑reimbursement rates, competition from online pharmacies, theft and safety concerns, expiring leases, low sales and distribution‑center consolidations. The broader restructuring also involved the shutdown of a 500,000‑square‑foot distribution center in Houston and at least 628 layoffs in Illinois and Texas.

Walgreens, the second‑largest pharmacy chain in the country with more than 8,500 stores, expects the selective closures to preserve its most profitable locations while trimming underperforming sites.