A MAJOR retailer has confirmed its “difficult” decision to shutter a store for good.
The revelation comes as police records show a worrying crime trend in Georgia.
2
The Walgreens on Gray Highway in east Macon officially shut its doors last Thursday, reported 13WMAZ.
The decision has been confirmed by Walgreens’ spokesperson, who added the closure had been a “difficult decision” based on “changes in the buying habits of our patients and customers, among other reasons.”
The shuttering comes as thousands of stores have closed or are tipped to cease across the U.S. due to rampant theft and cost-cutting.
13WMAZ cited Bibb County Sheriff’s Office records as saying the now-closed Walgreens outlet in Georgia had been hit by robbery or theft 22 times in the past year alone.
READ MORE NEWS
Police records also revealed an issue with reports of fighting, trespassing and suspicious activity, it added.
LOT OF “LOVE”
But Walgreens customer Loraine Sands praised the store, saying she “loved all the employees there.”
A fellow regular shopper, Wendell Harrelson, who collects prescriptions from the local branch, told 13WMAZ: “I didn’t find out (about the closure) until two or three days ago.
“It’s three minutes from my home – I could stop here on my way to my (95-year-old) mom’s (house) and do things that she needs to get done.”
Most read in The US Sun
Harrelson cited confused over the sudden shuttering, adding: “There’s certainly enough customers in this area to support this Walgreens. I regret it’s closing (as) it’s handy for those living on this side of the river and it’s just disappointing.”
It also meant that it would take him more travel time, as he would now need to drive 10 miles to the next nearest Walgreens.
“BUYING HABITS”
A spokesperson for Walgreens told 13WMAZ that the closure of the east Macon outlet was due to changes in buying habits, and other issues.
In a statement, the retailer said: “Our location at 1280 Gray Hwy in Macon, GA is slated to close on Nov. 9.
“Typically, when a store closes our pharmacy patients do not have to take any action.
“They receive notice about where their prescription files will automatically transfer through mail and other means to provide details about continued access to their prescriptions and health and wellness services.
“And, we make every effort to retain impacted team members at other nearby locations.”
The national pharmacy and retail chain added: “When faced with the difficult decision to close a location, several factors are taken into account, including our existing footprint of stores, dynamics of the local market, and changes in the buying habits of our patients and customers, among other reasons.
“With our goal to be the independent partner of choice — not just in pharmacy but also in healthcare services where we can improve healthcare, lower costs, and help patients — we are creating the right network of stores in the right locations. “
The U.S. Sun has contacted Walgreens for further comment.
STREAMLINING
Earlier this year, Walgreens announced it would close 150 of its 9,000 US stories by August 2024, with hopes to streamline the company’s structure.
“Our pharmacy of the future operating model will drive significant savings,” said James Kehoe, the chain’s chief financial officer, said in an earnings call this summer.
The latest closure in Georgia also comes as retailers across the U.S. have been taking measures to combat the growing theft problem.
RETAIL CRIME
Retail crime accounted for more than $112 billion in industry losses in 2022, according to a shocking report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) in September.
That figure was “up from $93.9 billion in 2021,” it said.
David Johnston, NRF vice president for asset protection and retail operations, said: “Retailers are seeing unprecedented levels of theft coupled with rampant crime in their stores, and the situation is only becoming more dire.
“Far beyond the financial impact of these crimes, the violence and concerns over safety continue to be the priority for all retailers, regardless of size or category.”
A Walgreens spokesman told news agency the Associated Press in February that while the firm was pleased to see retail theft levels starting to stabilize, they were “still a serious national problem affecting all retailers.”
https://www.the-sun.com/news/9612940/major-retailer-decision-close-store-police-records-crime-trend/