# Walgreens U.S. store closures

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/walgreens-us-store-closures
> Updated: 2026-08-06T03:32:44.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

In early August 2026 Walgreens announced it would shut fewer than 100 stores across the United States, continuing a multiyear downsizing that began after the 2025 purchase of the chain by private‑equity firm Sycamore Partners. The plan cited declining drug‑reimbursement rates, competition from online pharmacies, theft, safety concerns, expiring leases, low sales and distribution‑center consolidations, and listed several locations already closed.

A few days later the company clarified that the downsizing effort had been significantly scaled back. Internal estimates that once projected around 700 closures in 2026 and a three‑year target of roughly 1,200 stores were revised to under 100 closures. The revision was attributed to a mix of lease expirations, weak sales, safety issues and distribution‑center consolidation, with specific examples such as a loss‑making Chicago store that lost over $1 million in a year.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-06: Walgreens scales back store closures, plans fewer than 100 closures in 2026

Walgreens, now owned by Sycamore Partners, has cut its 2026 store‑closure plan to under 100 locations, down from earlier estimates of 700‑1,200, citing weak sales, lease issues and theft, with several closures

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/walgreens-scales-back-store-closures-plans-fewer-than-100-closures-in-2026

### 2026-08-03: Walgreens to close fewer than 100 U.S. stores in 2026

Walgreens will close fewer than 100 U.S. stores in 2026, part of a downsizing plan after its 2025 sale to Sycamore Partners, citing low sales, lease expirations and theft concerns.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/walgreens-to-close-fewer-than-100-us-stores-in-2026

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Cite as: Walgreens U.S. store closures. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/walgreens-us-store-closures