CVS closing 70 stores

pseudo3d
Posts: 3851
Joined: November 12th, 2015, 7:01 pm
Has thanked: 5 times
Been thanked: 77 times
Status: Offline

Re: CVS closing 70 stores

Post by pseudo3d »

What if at least a few of those CVS stores actually lacked a pharmacy...?
Alpha8472
Posts: 3929
Joined: February 24th, 2009, 8:55 pm
Been thanked: 79 times
Status: Offline

Re: CVS closing 70 stores

Post by Alpha8472 »

If those locations lacked a pharmacy, then Target would decide whether or not to include a pharmacy. If a Target does take over, the store would see a big increase in traffic. The traffic would probably be enough to support a CVS Pharmacy. I don't know if Target would then contact CVS and tell them to open a new pharmacy inside the store or if Target would have to convince CVS to open up a new pharmacy.
pseudo3d
Posts: 3851
Joined: November 12th, 2015, 7:01 pm
Has thanked: 5 times
Been thanked: 77 times
Status: Offline

Re: CVS closing 70 stores

Post by pseudo3d »

Alpha8472 wrote:If those locations lacked a pharmacy, then Target would decide whether or not to include a pharmacy. If a Target does take over, the store would see a big increase in traffic. The traffic would probably be enough to support a CVS Pharmacy. I don't know if Target would then contact CVS and tell them to open a new pharmacy inside the store or if Target would have to convince CVS to open up a new pharmacy.
I was referring to if there are any old "CVS" stores (no "pharmacy") kicking around in the Northeast somewhere. It's not unheard of, the CVS in the San Antonio Riverwalk doesn't seem to have one (I don't remember one, it's not on signage, and Yelp reviews complain about the lack of one).
BillyGr
Store Manager
Store Manager
Posts: 1578
Joined: October 5th, 2010, 7:33 pm
Been thanked: 58 times
Status: Online

Re: CVS closing 70 stores

Post by BillyGr »

pseudo3d wrote:
Alpha8472 wrote:If those locations lacked a pharmacy, then Target would decide whether or not to include a pharmacy. If a Target does take over, the store would see a big increase in traffic. The traffic would probably be enough to support a CVS Pharmacy. I don't know if Target would then contact CVS and tell them to open a new pharmacy inside the store or if Target would have to convince CVS to open up a new pharmacy.
I was referring to if there are any old "CVS" stores (no "pharmacy") kicking around in the Northeast somewhere. It's not unheard of, the CVS in the San Antonio Riverwalk doesn't seem to have one (I don't remember one, it's not on signage, and Yelp reviews complain about the lack of one).
There are probably still a few without a pharmacy - for instance the one mall location in the Albany area I know of does not have one, and as far as I know never did, while one other mall that had one removed the pharmacy after a freestanding store was built nearby, before finally closing the mall store entirely.
Although, in those locations it makes sense not to have one, since people aren't as likely to want to deal with mall traffic (and parking, or lack thereof) just to pick up a prescription, while the "front part" of the store may do OK just catching those already shopping that realize they need something and figure it's worth picking up rather than making a separate stop, and also those working in the mall stopping in to grab things (particularly snacks, drinks etc. on a break) which, while still costly may be cheaper than other in mall options.
Brian Lutz
Store Manager
Store Manager
Posts: 1425
Joined: March 1st, 2009, 5:51 pm
Location: Piedmont Triad, NC
Been thanked: 56 times
Contact:
Status: Offline

Re: CVS closing 70 stores

Post by Brian Lutz »

It appears the CVS on Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco is one of these. The word "Pharmacy" isn't used anywhere on the building signage, and Yelp reviews indicate no pharmacy at this location. I've been there once or twice while in SF, and it's basically a big gift shop, and the prices are rather high for a CVS.
storewanderer
Posts: 14379
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 3:54 pm
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 298 times
Contact:
Status: Offline

Re: CVS closing 70 stores

Post by storewanderer »

There is a CVS in Stateline, NV with no pharmacy too. This was a store opened by CVS, in a former casino space. It was built with a space for a pharmacy and even has a counter but they opted not to open a pharmacy. It is a 24 hour store however. Sometimes it is dead, other times it is packed, completely dependent on tourist traffic at the surrounding casinos. I would be surprised if the store makes any money actually, looks to be a lot of small transactions. Prices are lower than the CVS Stores on the CA side of Lake Tahoe.
storewanderer
Posts: 14379
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 3:54 pm
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 298 times
Contact:
Status: Offline

Re: CVS closing 70 stores

Post by storewanderer »

Two stores in San Francisco are closing. I guess this is 2 of the 70...?

Ocean Ave. which opened in 2012 (there is a tiny format Target right across the street with a CVS inside)
2280 Market St., which opened in 2014.

Longs had a limited presence in San Francisco city limits (maybe one store) and CVS tried to open up new stores in what always looked like an effort to me to "one up" Walgreens. CVS Stores in San Francisco do not seem busy at all compared to Walgreens, have far lower staffing levels, and far shorter store hours.
Alpha8472
Posts: 3929
Joined: February 24th, 2009, 8:55 pm
Been thanked: 79 times
Status: Offline

Re: CVS closing 70 stores

Post by Alpha8472 »

I have read some really terrible yelp reviews of CVS stores in San Francisco: verbally abusive employees, high prices, lack of selection, few cashiers, forced use of self checkout machines, employees refusing returns, and of course protesters. The unions for the longest times picketed in front of CVS stores because they were non-union. It really intimidated potential customers and many people in San Francisco are very pro-union.

The rents in San Francisco are sky high and CVS seems to be struggling. Walgreens seems to be doing tons of business because they have an entire network of pharmacies on practically every street corner in busy areas. You can walk in and have prescriptions at any of them. CVS did not have that capability because there were only a handful of stores in the entire city.

Walgreens has really stocked their stores in San Francisco with essential items. The selection of products at Walgreens is really good compared to CVS. Walgreens has items in San Francisco that they do not carry anywhere else. Their stores are packed with customers all the time. Many of them are even 24 hours. The shelves are very tall and carry a ton of merchandise stacked high to the ceiling. Walgreens has employees constantly restocking shelves and their stores are high volume.

CVS does not like 24 hour stores and their stores lack the selection that appeals to customers. CVS focuses on short shelves with much less merchandise. The shelves are constantly sold out and bare. CVS does not hire enough employees and it shows. Walgreens is like a neighborhood market in many parts of San Francisco. Many people do not have cars and cannot travel to a Target for a bulk trip and Walgreens serves its customers well in the city.
User avatar
norcalriteaidclerk
Assistant Store Manager
Assistant Store Manager
Posts: 542
Joined: August 22nd, 2010, 1:01 am
Location: 916/279 area code complex
Has thanked: 63 times
Been thanked: 42 times
Contact:
Status: Offline

Re: CVS closing 70 stores

Post by norcalriteaidclerk »

I believe that the west Market Street location in the Castro district(former Tower Records)was hamstrung from the beginning due to a lack of a liquor license.The other San Francisco CVS locations(planned from the ground up locations,may or may not be applicable to the one former Longs on Van Ness)generally have beer/wine licenses,but community pressure discouraged CVS from even pursuing liquor sales and extended operating hours(up to and including 24-hour operations)at 2280 Market.As I see it,just the former limitation alone(no 'adult' items)throttled the ability for CVS to even achieve high volume at that location.

On the subject of CVS in SF;I must also note that this past fall,CVS opened its first location in the city(Sutter/Stockton in Chinatown)that is open 24 hours to any extent(front end/photo but not pharmacy).
For your life,Thrifty and Payless have got it.
storewanderer
Posts: 14379
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 3:54 pm
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 298 times
Contact:
Status: Offline

Re: CVS closing 70 stores

Post by storewanderer »

San Francisco is a tough new market to enter. CVS trying to enter there has clearly been rocky at best. Walgreens has been there so long, they know that market, and the people in San Francisco are very comfortable with Walgreens formula there. Walgreens in San Francisco is different than other markets; the mix is different and very much fine tuned for each individual store/neighborhood.

Walgreens closed one of the Rite Aids it bought down on Market Street a couple months ago. There were two Walgreens already within eyesight. I'm a little surprised they closed it as they actually did a pretty in-depth remodel to it (you could not even tell it had been Rite Aid).
Post Reply