More Than 500 Walgreens Stores Could Close Nationally

DEERFIELD, IL - Deerfield-based Walgreens, the nation’s largest drugstore chain, will likely have to close more than 500 stores due to antitrust concerns from their nearly $10 billion acquisition of Rite Aid, another of the nation’s largest drugstore companies.

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. made the estimate this week after previously stating the number of stores to close due to the purchase would be less than 500, according to a CBS-Chicago report.

There are currently more than 8,000 Walgreens stores open nationally and that number could top 12,000 if and when the Rite Aid deal is complete.

No specific stores have been slated for sale as federal regulators are reviewing the Rite Aid deal.

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