Devin Jacobs
Remember when racking up Walgreens points felt rewarding? Now, expiration dates sneak up quicker, and the redemption rules feel stingier. Shoppers who once swore by the program admit they’re eyeing other loyalty clubs. After all, why stick with a program that feels more like a headache than a perk?
Poor Pharmacy Wait Times
Customers across the country are fed up with Walgreens’ notoriously slow pharmacy service. Several patients have described their experiences as the worst they’ve encountered at any drugstore. The lengthy delays and poor customer service have further driven many to seek prescriptions elsewhere.
Unfriendly Or Unhelpful Staff
Nothing says “customer care” like an employee who treats your question like an interruption. Walgreens shoppers are fed up with blank stares, shrugged shoulders, and half-hearted answers. Some joke the service is so unfriendly, it feels like they’re being dared to take their business to CVS—and many actually do.
Unresolved Customer Complaints
Customer service issues at Walgreens have reached a breaking point. The Better Business Bureau records reveal numerous complaints that the company never properly addressed. Many reports are even marked “Unanswered” or “Unpursuable,” showing a clear pattern of neglecting customer concerns.
Legal Troubles Over Opioid Prescriptions
Recent legal action by federal prosecutors has exposed Walgreens’ role in America’s opioid crisis. The pharmacy chain could pay $80,850 for each illegal prescription filled, with millions reportedly dispensed. The Justice Department claims these violations of federal law led to customer deaths.
Frustrating Rewards Program Changes
Remember when racking up Walgreens points felt rewarding? Now, expiration dates sneak up quicker, and the redemption rules feel stingier. Shoppers who once swore by the program admit they’re eyeing other loyalty clubs. After all, why stick with a program that feels more like a headache than a perk?
Failed Healthcare Expansion Strategy
The pharmacy chain’s healthcare expansion strategy proved deeply flawed. Walgreens spent billions acquiring medical companies without proper planning for integration. However, their scattered approach led to an inefficient mix of healthcare assets. CVS showed a better way forward through calculated acquisitions of Aetna and Caremark.
Loss Of Foot Traffic To Online And Big-Box Competitors
Modern shoppers are abandoning Walgreens in favor of more practical alternatives. The rise of online shopping has made quick store visits unnecessary, while big-box retailers attract customers with lower prices. Walgreens’ outdated convenience store model, built around impulse purchases, struggles to compete in today’s market.
Overpriced In-Store Products
Smart shoppers are also abandoning Walgreens due to consistently higher prices on common items. The drugstore chain’s expensive supplements and beverages have driven customers to seek better deals elsewhere. Meanwhile, grocery stores and mass merchants offer the same products at significantly lower costs.
Merchandise Locked Behind Glass
Security measures at Walgreens have crossed a line that tests customer patience. Basic items locked behind glass require staff assistance, yet finding available employees often proves challenging. The frustration of waiting for someone to open cases for everyday products eventually sent shoppers to competitor stores.
Going Private After Decades On Public Markets
After nearly a century on public markets, Walgreens is retreating into private ownership. The drugstore chain’s bold healthcare transformation backfired, which accelerated its downward spiral. Since its 1927 public debut, mismanagement and poor performance have eroded shareholder value, leading to this dramatic exit from Wall Street.