Walgreens is closing more stores this year, but the good news for shoppers worried about their local pharmacy is that it’s far fewer than originally planned. Here’s what’s actually happening, which locations are affected, and why the numbers keep shifting.
How Many Walgreens Stores Are Closing in 2026?
Here’s the good news first: Walgreens now expects to close fewer than 100 stores in 2026, a big drop from earlier internal projections that had put the number closer to 700. The chain still operates more than 8,500 stores nationwide, making it the second largest pharmacy chain in the country, so even with the cuts, it remains a dominant presence in most major markets.
Why Is Walgreens Closing So Many Stores?
This isn’t a sudden decision. Walgreens first announced in October 2024 that it planned to close roughly 1,200 underperforming stores over three years. Since then, the company changed hands entirely. In 2025, Walgreens went private after being acquired by Sycamore Partners, and the new ownership has actually slowed the pace of closures compared to what was originally planned.
Executives are calling it a “store optimization strategy,” meant to concentrate resources on higher performing locations rather than a full retreat from the pharmacy business. The reasons behind individual closures tend to fall into a few recurring buckets:
- Expiring leases
- Underperforming sales
- Distribution center consolidation
- Theft and safety concerns that made certain stores too costly to keep running
The closures aren’t limited to storefronts either. Walgreens has also shut down larger operational sites, including a roughly 500,000 square foot distribution center in Houston.
Which States Have Closed Walgreens Locations in 2026?
So far, confirmed closures span at least a dozen states:
- California
- Florida
- Illinois
- Missouri
- New York
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
- Wisconsin
Illinois has been hit especially hard, with several Chicago locations closing this year after years of reduced hours. Some residents in neighborhoods like Chatham have pushed back publicly, calling it “corporate abandonment” as their local pharmacy options shrink.
What This Means If You’re a Walgreens Customer
If your local store isn’t on the closure list, there’s no need to worry, but it’s worth checking directly with Walgreens if you rely on a specific location for prescriptions or medical needs. Pharmacy transfers are usually handled automatically to the nearest open location, though it’s smart to confirm ahead of time rather than showing up to a locked door.
For the full, regularly updated list of specific store addresses, Inc.’s original coverage breaks it down state by state.
Bottom Line
Walgreens is still closing stores in 2026, but at a much slower pace than originally announced. Fewer than 100 closures are expected this year, down sharply from the 700 once projected, as new ownership shifts strategy toward keeping higher performing locations open. For more on retail and business trends shaping the year, check out [our latest business coverage] on the site.
This article will be updated as more store closures are confirmed
