CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Deerfield-based Walgreens could have a new owner.
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Walgreens is in discussions to sell itself to a private equity firm. Sycamore Partners is talking to Walgreens Boots Alliance about a sale that could be completed early next year.
Walgreen's operates 12,000 stores across the U.S., Latin America, and Europe.
Forbes healthcare writer Bruce Japsen told the Noon Business Hour that Walgreens is trying to pivot.
“They do have a lot of lucrative investments,” Japsen said. “They’re investing more in speciality pharmacy, and most new drugs are specialized, meaning they’re injected or infused, or they’re made dry from biotech. They’re not the pills and capsules that are all generic.
Walgreens is in the process of recovering from the 2021 acquisition of the primary care network VillageMD. Walgreens announced plans to close 160 VillageMD clinics earlier this year.
Japsen believes that some stores will close if the deal goes through.
“I would say if private equity does get involved and buy the company, I would say that the footprint, their store footprint, could change,” said Japsen.
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