CVS wants to be more like Costco and Marshalls
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CVS has struggled as consumers have increasingly turned to delivery for items that used to drive people to pharmacies. The chain closed 243 locations in 2025, 299 in 2024 and 318 in 2023, according to its 2025 annual report. In addition, rival Walgreens closed roughly 600 locations during the same time period, and Rite-Aid shut down entirely. It's a crisis that has forced CVS to reconsider its business and make major changes designed to drive more customers to its stores. CVS and Walgreens "probably do have too many stores because they overexpanded, but the bigger problem is that the stores that they have are not very good," GlobalData Managing Director Neil Saunders told NPR. To fix that, CVS plans to add new merchandise designed to drive customers to their stores. It's an attempt to make the pharmacy chain less about necessities and more of a treasure hunt experience like Costco or Marshalls. Costco and Marshalls use an ever-changing selection of merchandise to attract customers to their stores. Instead of people coming in simply because they need something, this model entices visits just to see what the store might have. CVS has embraced this model by adding an expanded assortment of collectibles, nostalgic favorites, limited-edition products and seasonal finds for fall, introducing new brands, exclusive products and trending products across toys, beauty, snacks and...
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