By Dean Seal
For the first time ever, most Walgreens locations will be closed on Thanksgiving Day as the drugstore chain grapples with staffing shortages. While nearly all of its 700 24-hour locations will remain open to serve customers’ healthcare needs, the majority of Walgreens stores will be shuttered for the holiday, including distribution centers and other sites.
This change was implemented to prioritize the well-being of Walgreens team members, enabling them to spend quality time with their loved ones. Chief Customer Officer Tracey Brown emphasized the importance of providing time off as a demonstration of appreciation for the hardworking employees who represent the face of Walgreens.
Over the last year, Walgreens has faced staffing challenges, prompting reduced operating hours in a significant portion of its stores. In 2022, around a third of the drugstore chain’s U.S. locations, approximately 3,000 out of nearly 9,000, operated on reduced hours. Furthermore, in March, Walgreens reported that pharmacies in 1,900 stores were still operating on reduced schedules.
