Walgreens Is Closing Stores: Updated List of Shuttered Locations for 2026 as Pharmacy Giant Scales Back Downsizing

Walgreens is closing fewer than 100 stores in 2026 as part of a multiyear downsizing effort, scaling back earlier plans after the pharmacy chain went private last year.

Walgreens is closing stores in 2026 but not as many as the retailer originally planned. The pharmacy giant is continuing a multiyear downsizing effort in 2026, closing stores across at least a dozen states as it works to shrink its footprint to a more profitable base.

"The closures are part of a store optimization strategy meant to concentrate resources on higher-performing locations," a Walgreens spokesperson said. "This is not a broader retreat from the pharmacy business."

The company originally announced in October 2024 that it would close roughly 1,200 underperforming stores over a three-year period. Last year, it said it planned to make approximately 500 cuts. However, after Walgreens went private in 2025, its new owners scaled back the pace of closures.

"Our new owners have taken a more measured approach to store closures," a company source said. "The focus is on optimizing the portfolio rather than aggressive downsizing."

Walgreens currently operates more than 8,500 stores nationwide, making it the second-largest pharmacy chain in the U.S. Even with hundreds of closures already completed over the past year, the company remains a dominant presence in most major markets. The current round of closures is expected to affect fewer than 100 locations in 2026, down from earlier internal projections that had put the number closer to 700.

The closures are not limited to traditional retail locations. In recent years, the pharmacy chain has also moved to shutter larger operational sites, including a roughly 500,000-square-foot distribution center in Houston.

Walgreens' downsizing reflects broader trends in the retail pharmacy sector, where chains are facing pressure from online competitors, changing consumer habits, and rising costs. CVS Health and Rite Aid have also announced store closures in recent years.

Here is the question this downsizing raises. Walgreens is closing fewer than 100 stores in 2026 after scaling back earlier plans. When a retail giant adjusts its store optimization strategy, what does it mean for the future of pharmacy chains?

As Walgreens continues its multiyear downsizing effort, The Silicon Review asks a final question. When the pharmacy landscape is shifting, how can chains like Walgreens adapt to stay competitive?

FAQ:

Q: How many stores is Walgreens closing in 2026?
A: Walgreens expects to close fewer than 100 stores in 2026, down from earlier projections of up to 700.

Q: Why is Walgreens closing stores?
A: Walgreens is closing stores as part of a "store optimization strategy" to focus resources on higher-performing locations and improve profitability.

Q: How many Walgreens stores are there nationwide?
A: Walgreens operates more than 8,500 stores nationwide, making it the second-largest pharmacy chain in the U.S.

Q: Did Walgreens' ownership change?
A: Yes, Walgreens went private in 2025, and its new owners have scaled back the pace of closures.

Q: Are the closures limited to retail stores?
A: No, Walgreens has also closed larger operational sites, including a distribution center in Houston.