Walgreens Introduces Stores Without Pharmecies
Source：Chicago Sun-Times
From：Taiwan Trade Center Chicago
Update Time：2019/01/19
Founded in 1901 on Chicago’s South Side, Walgreens is one of the most ubiquitous pharmacies in the US. The store found success by luring customers out in the cold Chicago winters with hot prepared food as well as the ability to fill their prescriptions, a practice which continued in Walgreens locations across the country until the 1980s. Over the years Walgreens has continued to innovate expand their offerings to create one stop shopping, introducing the first malted milkshakes in the 1920s. However, at the foundation of all Walgreens stores there has always been one thing – a pharmacy – until now.
Walgreens has opened its first store in Chicago’s West Loop directing customers looking to fulfil prescriptions can go to a nearby location. Although the prescription sales account for nearly 70% of Walgreens US sales, moving a way from prescriptions in stores seem to be a trend coming to the pharmacy industry. Traditional brick-and-mortar pharmacies like Walgreens are facing increasing competitions from online retailers like Amazon. Customers are turning to online ordering for convenience and affordability as public and private insurers are reducing payments for prescriptions. Walgreens are reacting to these challenges by increasing investment in online and mail order pharmacy services. While pharmacies move online Walgreens over 10,000 US stores are emphasizing cosmetics and skin care products. The new West Loop store sells all products that are provided by Walgreens, make up, toiletries, alcohol and food, as well as photo and Western Union services. Everything a customer looking for a quick grab and go experience expects to find at Walgreens, except a pharmacy. This looks to be the latest change in Walgreen’s century long reign as “America’s Corner Store” and allows Walgreens to simplify its business while continuing to serve customers.
Source：https://chicago.suntimes.com/