CVS closes hundreds of stores. Will all Staten Island locations be closed?

STATEN ISLAND — Shoppers are buying more products online, and national retailers — including supermarkets, convenience and personal care companies — are responding to those habits. CVS Health recently announced that the company will close more than 900 stores over the next three years, shift its efforts to digital growth and turn its stores into destinations that will offer a range of healthcare services from flu shots to diagnostic tests.

The news comes as many consumers, still affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, are opting for more streamlined services such as curbside pickup and telecare appointments, which have brought a level of convenience to their home over the past two years. added life.

Prescriptions can be filled online, many personal items are available for same-day delivery through sites like Amazon, and retail giants like Target and Walmart have also tapped into the personal care market. And while CVS has outperformed its Wall Street competitors, this segment of the industry is overpopulated by other mainstream pharmacies like Walgreens and Rite-Aid — both of which have a plethora of locations in the district.

While no details have been given about which CVS stores will be closed, there is a high probability that Staten Island, which has 20 CVS locations, could be affected.

Store closures will begin in spring 2022, and the company said it plans to close about 300 a year. According to CNBC, the closures will reach about 9% of CVS’s nearly 10,000 U.S. stores.

CVS called the closures part of the company’s strategy to make healthcare “more affordable, accessible and easier for consumers.” Three different models will serve as community health destinations: Some sites will be dedicated to providing primary care; others remain traditional stores that offer prescription services and convenient shopping offers; and a third model will extend the chain’s existing HealthHUB concept – offering products and services designed for everyday health and wellness needs.

CVS directors said the move isn’t rushed — the company has long been evaluating changes in population, consumer buying patterns and future health needs, and is making the move to reduce store density and “ensure it has the right types of stores in the country.” right locations.”

“Our stores are foundational to our strategy and to who we are as a company,” said Karen S. Lynch, president and CEO of CVS Health. “We remain focused on the competitive advantage provided by our presence in thousands of communities across the country, complementing our rapidly expanding digital presence.”