CVS’ announcement comes at a timely moment for Dollar General — exactly as Dollar General tries to “establish itself as a health destination.”
Pharmacies on the decline
CVS pointed to changes in “population, consumer buying patterns and future health needs” for its decision to close stores.
The closings mark the latest contraction of US drug stores in recent years. The sector has been under pressure from shoppers increasingly shifting spending online, as well as to big-box chains, warehouse clubs and dollar stores. Declining reimbursement rates for prescription drugs have also squeezed drug stores’ profits.
Drug stores have been bleeding market share to Dollar General. The company and analysts say its prices are typically around 40% lower than pharmacies.
Health care at Dollar General
Dollar General has run into opposition from local leaders in many areas of the country who argue that it drives out independent grocery stores and pharmacies and does not sell fresh food at stores — contributing to the health care problem it now says it wants to help solve.
The company in recent years has started to some produce and fresh fruit at stores. Now, Dollar General says adding health care is a way to fill a gap in the market, get customers to spend more when they visit stores and attract new shoppers.
In July, Dollar General announced it hired its first chief medical officer to help develop its health care services and product offerings at stores.
Dollar General also said it planned to increase its store selection of cough and cold, dental, nutritional, health aids and feminine hygiene products. That’s a bonus for Dollar General because these items carry higher profit margins than most of what it currently offers: mainly packaged foods, perishables, paper and cleaning products, and personal care items.
Around 65% of Dollar General’s stores — more than 10,000 locations — are in health and medical “deserts,” where people have to drive 30 or 40 minutes to get basic services, CEO Todd Vasos said in September.
Health care “could be a really big deal” for Dollar General, said Vasos, who is a former drug store chain executive.
Dollar General will not put pharmacies in its stores, he said, but it’s exploring options such as offering eye exams, telemedicine and prescription drug pickups.
He even suggested Dollar General might benefit from partnering with independent pharmacies on its health push.