Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Key Takeaways

• CVS is closing 271 stores in 2025, adding to the nearly 900 already closed since 2022.
• The closures are part of a strategic shift towards digital pharmacy services and AI-driven healthcare hubs.
• Technological advancements and AI are playing key roles in determining store performance and future closures.

Table of Contents

• The Numbers: Just How Many CVS Stores Are Closing?
• Read the Fine Print: Why Is CVS Closing So Many Stores?
• CVS Closures By State: Who’s Hit The Hardest?
• AI in the Aisles: How Technology Forced CVS’s Hand
• The Broader Impact: Who Loses — And Who Wins?
• The Cultural Shift: More Than Just a Business Decision
• What’s Next? CVS, AI, and the Future of Healthcare
• CVS Store Closings: Your Questions, Answered
• What Does the Future of Pharmacies Look Like — And Do You Trust It?

The Numbers: Just How Many CVS Stores Are Closing?

CVS’s most recent annual report confirms that 271 locations will be shut down in 2025. This follows the closure of nearly 900 stores since 2022, as reported by Newsweek and AL.com. The closures impact all U.S. regions, from Massachusetts and the Northeast to California, Ohio, Michigan, and Virginia. In some areas like Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, 10 locations are closing simultaneously.

Read the Fine Print: Why Is CVS Closing So Many Stores?

1. Digital Disruption in Healthcare

The pandemic accelerated digital pharmacy and telehealth services. CVS reports increased use of their mobile app and digital prescription refills, while telehealth has grown 38x since 2020, according to McKinsey.

2. AI and Automation Behind the Curtain

AI is reshaping retail pharmacy by determining underperforming stores and anticipating the return of foot traffic. AI-powered chatbots are also handling routine inquiries, reducing the need for on-site staff, as explained in Inside the Algorithmic Black Box.

3. Rethinking The Pharmacy Footprint

CVS is focusing on locations with high in-person healthcare demand, transitioning classic stores into modern healthcare hubs, as reported by independent coverage.

CVS Closures By State: Who’s Hit The Hardest?

States with dense populations like Ohio, California, Massachusetts, and Michigan see significant CVS store closures. Specific state data is available, with Alabama losing two locations and New Jersey seeing multiple closures. Full lists and breakdowns by state can be found here.

AI in the Aisles: How Technology Forced CVS’s Hand

AI-driven demand forecasting and analytics play a crucial role in determining which CVS stores close. This strategic realignment is part of a broader shift towards AI-driven clinics, as noted in conversations with CVS spokespeople and in articles like NBC Chicago.

The Broader Impact: Who Loses — And Who Wins?

Patients and the “Pharmacy Desert” Risk

Pharmacy closures particularly affect seniors and low-income communities, which now face increased travel for healthcare needs.

Employee Shockwaves: The Human Cost

Tens of thousands of CVS employees have been affected, with many needing to adapt to new roles focused on digital services and healthcare.

Startups and Competitors: A Chance to Surge

Each closed CVS store represents an opportunity for AI-driven healthcare startups and alternative pharmacy solutions to fill the gap.

The Cultural Shift: More Than Just a Business Decision

The closures reflect a shift from local, physical interaction to digital-first healthcare, impacting community connections and access to services.

What’s Next? CVS, AI, and the Future of Healthcare

CVS is refocusing its strategy on fewer, more technologically advanced healthcare locations. This includes integrating AI tools to improve patient care and customizing services to meet local needs, as detailed in future plans and reports like those found on Finger Lakes1.

CVS Store Closings: Your Questions, Answered

For details on specific store closures and how to manage your prescriptions, visit the complete list of 2025 closures. Information on competing chains and their responses to similar challenges is also available.

What Does the Future of Pharmacies Look Like — And Do You Trust It?

The ongoing evolution of pharmacy services raises questions about access, privacy, and community impacts. The rise of AI in healthcare suggests a significant transformation in how services are delivered and accessed.