The drugstore chain CVS announced this week that it would be taking a new step, as it plans to open around a dozen drugstores that only have pharmacies.
The move from CVS, which will see new 5,000 square feet-or-less locations open across the nation, comes as it looks to remain competitive with other retail giants that also offer pharmacies.
A CVS spokesperson confirmed the plan, sharing that the new locations will feature a full service pharmacy with only a limited selection of over-the-counter products for purchase.
“The new pharmacies will be introduced in select neighborhoods to help bridge gaps in care and make it easier for patients to access medications, immunizations, and other pharmacist-provided health care services,” a CVS spokesperson said.
The move comes as CVS looks to cut costs and save money after it was forced to close 1,000 stores and lay off 3,000 employees last year.
Currently, CVS operates over 9,000 pharmacy locations, including those in Target and other grocery stores, the company says on its website.
CVS says it’s looking to transform “health through local care,” noting on its website that around 85% of Americans live within five miles of a CVS pharmacy.
“By taking a customized approach to our footprint that is focused on the specific needs of the communities we serve, we’re continuing to strategically realign our pharmacy footprint to better support patients and ensure the right geographic coverage,” a CVS spokesperson said.
The new pharmacy-only stores are expected to start opening in “select communities” in 2025.