1) When the second and third largest pharmacies in America join forces, we inevitably will have one long ass receipt as a result.
2) This is horrible for the consumer.
OK, maybe the receipts won't that bad BUT this truly is terrible news for the industry. Why? Quite simply when consumers have fewer choices, it's a losing proposition. We thrive on choices, selection and preference and with business it's no different. Some people may simply dislike Walgreens. Instead of CVS or Rite Aid as an alternative, they will only have CVS now.
How about pricing?
Let's hypothetically say a person is looking to get a cash price on a prescription drug, like Viagra. Typically he'd have a choice between the 3 chains. For comparison, let's say CVS charges $50 per tablet. Walgreens charges $45 per tablet and Rite Aid charges $43. Well, there wouldn't be a Rite Aid option anymore, and prices will rise accordingly, so Mr. Consumer may now only have a choice between a $50 tablet from CVS or Walgreens.
Of course we also have the issue of customer service. In many regions, Walgreens and Rite Aids essentially overlap, so it is likely one of those two stores will close. When 1 store closes and displaces pharmacy and store customers, they will flood the open store that is already minimally staffed and service will suffer.
Specifically the pharmacy will probably struggle the most. If you live in a town where you have one of each pharmacy in close proximity, and you take one pharmacy away, Walgreens, that already fills 500 prescriptions a day, will be essentially absorbing the 500 prescriptions that Rite Aid fills every day. Sure, many folks will go to CVS or elsewhere if the choice is available, but even a 30% increase in pharmacy business is going to overwhelm the average skeleton crew you see at a retail pharmacy.
Is it likely Walgreens will build bigger and better stores to reflect the change nationwide? Doubt it. Will they hire more staff to accommodate more customers? It is still going to be the same skeleton crew in the store: 4 people doing the work of 8 people.
In the end, Walgreens are simply buying customers. Some with prescriptions will now have to go there by default, or use CVS, whether they like it or not. Other customers will just be faced with one less quick stop to buy a gallon of milk, and deal with the price change that may occur with one less competitor in town.
Either way, one less choice is a losing scenario for the consumers.
Hopefully our Federal regulators will agree.
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