Once valued at $100 billion in 2015, Walgreens Boots Alliance has seen its market value plummet to approximately $10 billion today, with shares down 45% in the last 12 months—making it the worst-performing stock in the S&P 500 in 2024.

Consumers are turning to digital channels for medical information and advice and to research healthcare products, treatments, and services. Here’s what healthcare and pharma marketers need to know about converting information-seeking consumers into customers.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how Walgreens went from “pharmacy behemoth to distressed retailer”, the biggest lesson from its downfall, and where the company goes from here. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, and Senior Analysts Rajiv Leventhal and Zak Stambor, for the conversation. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

Pharmacy deserts increase across the US, mostly in rural areas: More pharmacy closures are expected, which means medication access for many patients will worsen before it improves.

The news: CVS is experimenting with a new store format designed around its pharmacy services rather than front-of-store household items and snacks, according to a WSJ report.

Walgreens’ downfall as a publicly traded company ends with $10B take-private deal: We think Walgreens’ retail pharmacy will eventually get back on track. The company's aggressive push into healthcare delivery was its undoing.

Talks of a Walgreens take-private sale are ramping up again: Walgreens could be divided into three parts if the sale proceeds. We explore the likelihood of a deal going through and what it means for Walgreens’ future.

Retail media’s rapid growth has spurred nonretail verticals to harness their first-party data to fuel their own commerce media networks. Retail media spending still dominates the commerce media landscape, but distinct challenger cohorts are finding their footing.

Retailers cut 6,419 jobs in January: That’s up 20% YoY, with more to come as chains like Joann plan to close hundreds of stores.

Parents sue Walgreens, OptumRx over son’s death: They allege that a sudden price hike of his asthma medication made it unaffordable. The lawsuit will put more pressure on regulators to lower medication costs and improve drug pricing transparency.

Retailers have already announced more than 2,000 closures: Macroeconomic headwinds and category-specific challenges are expected to lead to roughly 15,000 store shutdowns this year.

How the FDA’s approval of non-opioid pain pill could benefit pharma players: Pharmacies and drugmakers hope that the new treatment will help them avoid opioid-related legal issues in the future.

The battle between Walgreens and Cooler Screens underscores in-store retail media challenges: Glitchy technology, measurement challenges, and outdated store infrastructure doomed the partnership.

Walgreens’ Q1 earnings report sends shares soaring: For its Q1 turnaround to translate into long-term success, the company will need to foster an improved experience that convinces customers to actually step foot in its stores.

A bad in-store experience will drive many shoppers online: Consumers are frustrated by how many items are locked up and how difficult it can be to find help.

Healthcare and pharma companies will lean further into D2C in 2025: They’re cutting out health insurers and PBMs that bottleneck patient access to their products and services. But the industry’s push into D2C won’t be met without challenges.

Walgreens’ biggest healthcare moves in 2024: Amid a brutal year trying and failing to achieve profitability, the company prioritized operating with a leaner business profile and is even considering a sale.

Walgreens discusses sale to private equity firm: The news underscores the immense financial pressure on retail pharmacies. We examine the details of a sale, and why things are even worse for Walgreens than rival CVS.

Is the retail health clinic business model dead? Our forecasts project fewer consumers will visit a retail clinic such as CVS or Walgreens every year through 2026. We detail why below.

Walgreens expands D2C telehealth to 30 states: We examine how the move aligns with Walgreens’ strategy to rightsize its retail pharmacy business.