Walgreens will close a ‘significant’ number of its 8,600 US locations

The US drugstore chain Walgreens has announced that it will be closing a number of its locations across the country .

The company announced Thursday that it is planning “significant” closures of underperforming stores across America as part of a multiyear optimization program. Though they did not give a specific number of store closures, CEO Tim Wentworth said that “changes are imminent” for the roughly 25 per cent of stores that aren’t profitable.

Wentworth added that this will “include the closure of a significant portion of these underperforming stores,” over the next three years.

• Walgreens to follow Walmart and Target with huge update coming to stores
• Hooters closes several stores across the US due to underperformance

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal Thursday, Wentworth said the closures would focus on locations that aren’t profitable, too close to each other or stores struggling with theft.

The recent closure of several stores in Boston has caused controversy, as it caused fears of “pharmacy desert” in underprivileged areas. Residents of these areas felt they were being isolated, without the resources to be able to travel and collect necessary medications.

For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here .

The drug store industry is just one of many experiencing the crushing weight of inflation in recent years. Other drugstore chains like CVS and Rite Aid have also struggled in recent years.

Wentworth said on the call that shoppers are “becoming increasingly selective and price sensitive on their selections.”

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .