Walgreens closing nine stores in Massachusetts by April

Walgreens plans to close nine stores in Massachusetts by the end of April. This follows an October announcement to shut down around 1,200 locations nationwide, with 500 closures expected this fiscal year. The affected stores are in Springfield, Weston, Athol, West Roxbury, Quincy, and Hyannis. Customers will be notified by mail, and their prescriptions will be automatically transferred to nearby Walgreens locations. The drugstore industry faces challenges from rising costs, theft, and competition from online retailers. Other chains like CVS and Rite Aid are also closing stores, raising concerns about access to healthcare in many communities.