If you have seen “Walgreens is closing 1,200 stores” and assumed that is happening this year, the number is real but the framing is wrong — and the 2026 reality is far smaller.
The Actual 2026 Number
Walgreens now expects to shutter fewer than 100 stores in 2026. Earlier internal projections had put the figure closer to 700.
That is a downgrade of roughly 85% against what the company itself had been planning.
| Figure | What it actually refers to |
|---|---|
| 1,200 | Announced October 2024, spread over three years — before the ownership change |
| ~700 | Earlier internal projection for 2026 alone |
| Fewer than 100 | The current expectation for 2026 |
Why the Plan Shrank
In August 2025, private equity firm Sycamore Partners bought Walgreens for roughly $10 billion, taking a long-public company private.
The new owner moved from a broad network reduction to what has been described as tighter store optimisation — closing individual underperforming locations rather than cutting the footprint wholesale.
Which States
The confirmed closure list spans at least a dozen states. Walgreens has not published a complete public list of addresses, which is the honest reason no article can give you a definitive one.
How to Find Out About Your Store
Because there is no master list, the reliable checks are direct:
- Call the store itself. Staff know before the public does.
- Check walgreens.com for your location’s status.
- Watch for in-store signage — closing locations post a notice with the nearest alternative branch.
The Layoffs Are a Separate Number
Do not confuse store closures with job cuts. Walgreens is cutting at least 628 jobs across two states: 469 in Illinois and 159 in Texas, where the company is closing a distribution centre. A distribution centre is not a retail store.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many Walgreens are closing in 2026?
Fewer than 100, down from internal projections of about 700.
Is Walgreens closing 1,200 stores?
That figure is from an October 2024 plan covering three years, made before the ownership change. It is not the 2026 number.
Is there a full list of Walgreens closing?
No public master list exists. Walgreens has not released one.
How do I know if my Walgreens is closing?
Call the store, check walgreens.com, or watch for in-store signage.
How many jobs are being cut?
At least 628 — 469 in Illinois and 159 in Texas.
Closure counts, the Sycamore Partners acquisition, layoff figures and stated reasons per Fast Company, Inc., Newsweek, Progressive Grocer and IBTimes reporting, August 2026. Prescription-transfer details per Walgreens’ own store-closure guidance. Figures are company plans and projections and can change. Photo: a Walgreens pharmacy (CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) — illustrative, not a store confirmed to be closing.
