CVS Introduces Smaller Pharmacy-Only Stores Nationwide

The new format aims to cut costs, focus on core pharmacy services, and adapt to shifting consumer preferences.

CVS plans to open approximately a dozen smaller-format stores in 2025, each under 5,000 square feet and focused exclusively on pharmacy services.
The new stores will offer prescription medications, limited over-the-counter products, and pharmacist-provided health services, eliminating traditional retail sections like snacks and beauty products.
This initiative comes as CVS continues to close hundreds of larger stores, with 270 additional closures planned for 2025, following over 1,000 closures since 2021.
The move reflects broader industry trends, as competitors like Walgreens and Rite Aid also downsize and restructure in response to rising e-commerce competition and declining front-store sales.
CVS aims to use these smaller stores to improve operational efficiency, reduce staffing costs, and better meet the specific pharmacy needs of local communities.