CVS Is Downsizing

That's what they get for gouging customers and buying smaller mom and pop drugstores. Be gone! CVS. I prefer Rite-Aid.

Good riddance. They are overpriced and the stores are dingy and messy. A blight on any urban landscape.

Everything is cheaper on Amazon, with the added benefit of having it delivered right to your door.

Nice deflect CVS. that phrase:"In response to changing of consumer buying patterns" Wokespeak. Translation Losing too much dough from shoplifting.

This is how it will work: after killing small pharmacies, the chains will gradually pull out, leaving pharmacy deserts.

It probably depends on your area, but when I lived in Arizona there were literally 4 CVS stores within a 5 minute drive. I bet there is a lot of overlap.

R2, we’re talking about drug pharmacies. Stop shilling for Amazon.

R4 they will just open them up in grocery stores as most places have been smart enough to do for a long time.

Don't blame the stores who can't keep bleeding $$$ in certain locations. Why do you think a business is in business? To lose $$$?

[quote] I prefer Rite-Aid.

Which is a million times worse and started this shit. Close all Rite-Aids!

So, doing the math, there will still be 2.4 million CVS stores to shop at? I love how they stopped selling tobacco a few years ago but have no problem loading end caps and checkout aisles with fried and sugary snacks. Oh, get your liquor too so you can swallow down your heart pills.

you're so stupid. probably most of the things you buy on Amazon is shoplifted from CVS and other stores....

I'm remember when CVS was Consumer Value Stores.

They are such a rip off and bad for the environment with their 10 foot receipts.

Still odd to me that Target partnered with CVS for some of its pharmacies. Seems like a step down, unless Target itself was clueless how to run the pharmacies.

I've never liked the grey, carpeted tiles in CVS. They look dingy and dirty, which I'm sure they are. Several here in my current city have drastically reduced their inventory and just increased the breadth of the aisles. They clearly got a deal on their rent to be able to do so, but who wants a 6 ft wide aisle to glance at different hair products, vitamins, etc?

Ebay, as well, is now full of shoplifted stuff. We have evolved into having our own US black market.

Now, the new emerging market will be an expansion of the preordering of items to be shoplifted & looted. Has always a small sustainable market. Now, I see big advances & growth in this area, especially with no bail & no jail.

All in San Francisco.

[quote] Still odd to me that Target partnered with CVS for some of its pharmacies. Seems like a step down, unless Target itself was clueless how to run the pharmacies.

I didn't understand this move either, I stopped using Walgreens & CVS when Target opened pharmacies in their stores and used them exclusively for the duration of the short period they were around. When my local Target made the switch to CVS I stuck with them because my pharmacist is great and it's still Target so you can use your CVS pharmacy rewards in Target stores.

Cvs seems to put its stores directly across from walgreens ???? Why ? Wal greens are nicer so i go to walgreens.

There are too many of these stores anyway. There’s literally a CVS, Walgreens, and Rite-Aid within a mile of everywhere in my city. And every Target has a CVS pharmacy inside too.

CVS is still present in my area, along with Walgreens. In general, I go to Walgreens. Prices seem around the same or better than CVS - and better employees.

I did go to CVS the other day, though. Bad management. Two cashiers, no self-checkout, long lines, and the manager was trying to pull one of the cashiers from her checkout area. Cashier said no, the line is long.

I will never understand stores that don't prioritize helping people to CASH OUT and pay for merchandise.

What r2 said. I never go to CVS because they're overpriced.

Certain insurance plans use CVS/Caremark for pharmacy benefits. Folks with such insurance have to use CVS.

I remember Revco

How about Phar-Mor?

CVS has been great for getting vaccinations. I got my booster and my flu shot at two different CVS locations (one standalone, one inside Target.) Process is simple and quick, and they give you a coupon to spend in the store.

What is it about Walgreens, CVS and Rite-Aid that just feels so cheap

There are 4 within a 5 minute drive from my home.

If there is a new strip mall being built, CVS will probably be a tenant.

[quote]Don't blame the stores who can't keep bleeding $$$ in certain locations. Why do you think a business is in business? To lose $$$?

You sound moronic. Do you realize how many businesses have been put out of business by that vile Amazon? I've never bought one item from Amazon and I never will. Some people actually enjoy going into stores to pick out the items they need, imagine that!

If things keep up the way they've been going the past few years, Amazon will own every sort of business within the next 5-10 years. Once busy shopping drags throughout the US, and the world, will look like ghost towns.

Amazon has a new discount pharmacy program, too.

This is a sad state of commerce in the US. These leeching corporations are ruining the country and the more that close, the better. Let’s get back to mom and pop stores. Ones that are clean and show a modicum of respect for their customers and employees.

Don't blame Amazon, they only sell because people want to buy it. It's called the free market. People want cheap and they want convenience and they want it fast. Blame the people, not the business. People are cheap lazy bastards.

R28, There will always have to be brick & mortar stores. Like you can get milk & band-aids Right now from Amazon. Plus people love to get out & shop.

R13 use the CVS app and opt for email or the no paper receipts option. I did last year. No more 6’ paper receipts.

I’m not anti Amazon. BUT I will not give them my pharmacy business until I’m forced to do so by my insurance.

Their logo is even a nameless and faceless. It should be called what it is: cash cow for shareholders and executives.

[quote]This is a sad state of commerce in the US. These leeching corporations are ruining the country and the more that close, the better. Let’s get back to mom and pop stores. Ones that are clean and show a modicum of respect for their customers and employees.

I've never had a problem with the chain drugstores. Their sale prices are always good, they accept coupons (both paper and through their websites, where you add the coupons electronically to your rewards card) and their cash back rewards are great, I currently have around $50 on my Walgreens card, it's not bad getting cash back on items I need.

In my neighborhood, Rite-Aid was formerly Genovese Drugs, guess they sold their business to RA. I did hear that one conglomerate now wants to buy both Duane Reade and Walgreens, these stores will end becoming a monopoly.

The problem with most mom & pop stores, their prices are much higher than the chain stores. Their prices are higher because they simply cannot compete with chain stores with bigger selections and more inventory.

CVS gives Cash Rewards, the other chains give you points which are useless.

[quote] their cash back rewards are great, I currently have around $50 on my Walgreens card

Be sure to use it before it expires within 6 months. I lost $10 because it expired.

Aww, you mean people won't find it as easy to go into their stores and pay 3 times what they could get the same things for somewhere else? What a loss.

I enjoy my weekly trips to my local CVS. They just completed a remodel.

Some people love gimmicks and coupons and have tons of free time to fuss with it all. But they have some loyal customers I’ll give them that.

some items are cheaper there. others more expensive. a brand of eyedrops I use sells for 20 bucks at CVS. It's 15 at Target. another item I use is sold there for like 28 bucks but at walgreens, the same thing is 35 bucks.

you gotta shop around.

[quote]Be sure to use it before it expires within 6 months. I lost $10 because it expired.

Not true, if your rewards money expires, just call their 1-800 number. Walgreen's usually sends text or email alerts to tell you your rewards are expiring.

I called the Walgreens 1-800 number, then had the deleted money put back on my card. They can tell if you are a loyal customer and they will put the money back on the card.

"there were literally 4 CVS stores..."

there were 4 CVS stores...

R5 Learn English

WTF kind of OTC eyedrops cost $20-$35, that's more than prescription eyedrops! Visine and Clear Eyes are sure not that expensive.

The higher priced eyedrops, usually for people with dry or chronic red eyes, such as Lumify or Blink, usually have $4-$5 coupons at the drugstores websites. If you wait for the store's weekly sale on these items, you sure wouldn't be paying $20-$35 for fucking eyedrops.

Some of you seem so clueless, extremely lazy or simply don't care about saving money.

CVS is ripped off daily in my NYC neighborhood. They can’t sustain it.

Because of the woke bullshit laws we have, there is nothing anyone can do except watch it happen.

[quote]Some people love gimmicks and coupons and have tons of free time to fuss with it all. But they have some loyal customers I’ll give them that.

Tons of free time?! Please, it doesn't take much time to add the digital coupons to your cell or computer, it just takes a few minutes.

Your post is hilarious, especially considering the fact that people have their faces in their damn phones all day. You think people can't spend some of their precious time, which they waste playing with their phones, to add coupons to those phones?!

they are for dry eyes. preservative free. visine isn't good at all. not recommended by eye doctors.

R46

Daily? Try hourly!

Every fucking CVS, Duane Reade, Rite Aid and Walgreens in NYC gets hit on average every few hours they are open. Everything from a few items to people walking out with arms/bags full of stuff.

There's a CVS near us on UES near 86th street that has a NYPD squad car parked out front nearly every hour they are open as a deterrent. Not that it does much good because shoplifters still clear place out. They finally started closing late/overnight instead of being open 24/7 to put some dent in their losses.

CVS, Rite Aid, Duane Reade, Walgreens and rest all benefitted at the time from going large. They morphed from pharmacy/health and beauty aid places to stores not unlike Target, carrying everything from housewares, hardware, small appliances, stationary/greeting cards, and groceries.. It worked for a while, then came Internet and online shopping. More to the point, Amazon!

Many of these big CVS or whatever stores just don't make sense any longer from a retail sales per square foot basis. Amazon and other online often sell much of same goods at lower prices plus you often get free delivery and returns. Piled on recently has been huge uptick in shoplifting that largely is not prosecuted making these stores sitting ducks.

People in my building would rather order toilet paper, paper towels, soap, detergent, etc... from Amazon than walk across street to CVS, or a block to Duane Reade...

This is racist. Now are we supposed to shoplift at the post office ?

Their shit is literally 3-4 dollars more expensive than at a Walmart down the street.

Amazon and online shopping has really changed the availability of all merchandise. When I am determined to buy something in a store instead of Amazon, often I can’t find it. It seems like other stores carry less merchandise and many have items as “online exclusives” so it has to be ordered online. Do I want to run around and check 3-4 stores or just order the exact product that I want online? I guess we did this to ourselves but I didn’t see it coming.

R50 Yea, shoplifting means Walgreens and CVS have a lot of items like deodorant, detergent, lotion locked behind those plexiglass shields. Finding a staff person to unlock the items can take a long time, especially since so many stores are short staffed.

Good, CVS has been trash for awhile. I shifted my prescriptions to Walgreens and haven't looked back.

Why is it only drug stores getting shoplifted? But not Safeway, Whole Foods, Pubic, Traitor Joe’s?

I walk into Walgreens and feel like I need a shower afterwards. There is something about the layout. It seems dirty. CVS still seems to maintain a level of quality, the one near me has turned the back of the store into an urgent care center.

CVS is the most expensive drug store in my city so I’m not surprised they’re closing so many stores. Nobody can afford those prices in this economy.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

More on that incident.

[quote]I'm remember when CVS was Consumer Value Stores.

I remember when they bought all the Sa-Von drugstores (which were great) in my area.

My CVS share increased by over $2.00 a share yesterday. I'm happy.

Sure, Jan.

My local CVS used to be "Eckerds". It moved a few yards away and built a much larger stand-alone store which I thought was wasteful and stupid (it had been in a strip mall).

Then, they built another huge stand-alone CVS right across the town's mainstreet from a Walgreen's, a phenomenon someone upthread mentioned. WTF?

Neither store seems to be very busy whenever I go by there - and yes, I do shop there but nowhere near as much as I used to. The pandemic hastened my absence, but I did just get my covid booster there so maybe that'll be a shot in the arm for CVS/Walgreens/etc., financially and literally speaking. Well, sort of literally.

*waves at r49*

Hi, neighbor. That’s my CVS.

[quote]Their shit is literally 3-4 dollars more expensive than at a Walmart down the street.

A lot of people would rather go into a smaller store like a CVS where you can be in and out in a few minutes, than deal with a behemoth like Walmart that’s full of trashy customers.

I have a CVS and Walgreens within walking distance of each other. In fact, if it wasn't for a curve in the road, I would be able to see both from the corner!

I used to go to CVS but they are much more expensive than Walgreens. I doubt my CVS will close. They just redid the layout to provide more room for the MinuteClinic. What I can't understand is the people who load shopping carts with items at CVS. They are way overpriced on most items. I have a Walmart within walking distance, too. I have no idea why people are doing so much shopping at CVS when both Walmart and Walgreens are much cheaper.

[quote]Their shit is literally 3-4 dollars more expensive than at a Walmart down the street.

The extra 3-4 dollars is so that you don't have to deal with Walmart.

[quote] Their shit is literally 3-4 dollars more expensive than at a Walmart down the street.

Honey, Walmart is cheaper than every store in the country. It’s full of cheap shit bought by people living in poverty.

What are end caps?

CVS is the one pharmacy I can count on to get medication that they may not have in stock in store. Rite Aid filled two prescriptions with the same medication for me one time and Walgreens never has anything. I’ll stick with CVS.

End caps are the displays at the end of each row/aisle of shelving.

You don't have go go inside Walmart to buy their merchandise. They have both curbside pickup and delivery. And r69 is an idiot. Walmart has much of the same general merchandise as every other major retailer.

Someone is being awfully defensive about supporting Walmart.

Not surprising. CVS went absolutely ape shit here in Dallas, with a store on every damned block. The only good thing I can say is that they made it incredibly easy to get the Covid booster and a flu shot a month or so ago. Very convenient and professional.

R64 I remember Eckerd's! Damn that's been a long time.

CVS stores are pointless.

There is a pharmacy with the usual health related over-the-counter items and medical equipment. And then there are cosmetics and personal care items that can be purchased any number of other more convenient settings.

Finally, there is aisle after aisle of over-priced extraneous shit that few want and no one needs. All of it can be bought easier and cheaper at Target or Walmart.

Why is CVS closing only 900 stores???

I got my booster there

that said, the one on my block since covid (even before) is the very least stocked store in the entire city, nearly nothing to buy, and nearly two years into a pandemic

I wouldn't be surprised if they get closed

[quote]You don't have go go inside Walmart to buy their merchandise.

sometimes, even, you don't even have to buy their stuff

They have better coupons than Walgreens in my experience?

Instead of 9,900 stores CVS will now have 9,000 stores BIG DEAL.

If they were to close THREE THOUSAND stores - that would be significant.

yes, I posted in another thread where I saw a man walked out of walgreens with black garbage bag full of stolen goods and his friend was outside the store with a shopping cart filled with black garbage bags, probably all stolen. the store does nothing.

yes shoplifting definitely happens in supermarkets too. esp now everyone brings their own shopping bag to put their items, thieves definitely are taking advantage.

R14- The CVS stores near me NEVER have tiled floors , they ALWAYS have carpeting- which I prefer.

proud to say I have never set foot in a walmart nor spent a single cent there.

[quote]yes, I posted in another thread where I saw a man walked out of walgreens with black garbage bag full of stolen goods and his friend was outside the store with a shopping cart filled with black garbage bags, probably all stolen. the store does nothing.

This is only happening in the woke liberal cities. The rest of the country doesn’t put up with that shit.

They better not get rid of the one in Columbus Circle!

CVS is still the number 1 biggest pharmacy chain in the US

r84 Well smell you, Princess Grace!

r80 CVS was the most expensive one I saw on the pharmacy price checker. Better coupons may be better because their prices start out higher (if you are referring to general coupons of items they sell).

The cheapest, of course, was always Walmart (not Walgreens, it was always more expensive than Walmart).

Duane Reade, baby. All the way!

Scandals aside, Phar-Mor was awesome back in the day. Movie and video game rentals were only 99 cents when other places were charging $3.99 per rental. CD's were only like $10, when stores like Camelot Music were selling them for $18. They started out as a pharmacy, but then started selling everything from groceries to office supplies. Everything was way cheaper there than other stores.

They took over Aetna so they're going to get you coming and going.

My CVS is in my Target store as well. Very convenient.

So it's essentially a parasite living off Target. Gross.

I like Walgreen’s best, but Anthem dropped them for Rx. Now I go to Safeway, which is okay…I can get groceries too.

Years ago, I loved Thrifty’s & Long’s Drugs. But, like almost everything they’re gone now.

It's true. Phar-Mor was an excellent place to shop. Clean, reasonably priced, and broadly stocked. The executives who looted the company should have been horse whipped.

I don't understand what it is, but there's something very off-putting about every CVS store. They seem like they're full of goods, but they never have the thing you want, and the atmosphere is very strange. Depressing and scruffy. I actually like Walgreens. It's not a treat to shop there or anything, but it's reasonably pleasant and the customer service is quite decent.

Walgreens > CVS > Rite-Aid

R97 agreed. They aren't well run, from what I have seen, and they act more like a company that has been taken over by an investment group, trying to squeeze every dime out of it before discarding the carcass.

That's what they're doing too, they're dumping a bunch of stores rather than pay to remodel them. Let's see if any of the other stores get remodels.

What are your chances in any of these grim places of unearthing an Evening in Paris by Bourjois gift set? Zero, I'd guess.

[quote]Duane Reade, baby. All the way!

Duane Reade is just Walgreen's in disguise.

List of closing stores? The one near me is filthy. The laundry soap aisle is soaked with spilt detergent. And stinks.

I’m taking a guess that all of the closing stores are located in “diverse” areas.

The constant larceny that goes unpunished could be to blame

At any moment, on average, in 900 CVS stores there will be at least 10,000 people standing in line waiting to be rung up. Where are these people to go?

And, while we're at it, think of how many register tapes will not be produced. This could result in too few trees being cut down, and an epidemic of over-forestation.

If my life were managing or owning a store that is now open season for daily shoplifting, I would get out of the business. It would be too demoralizing.

It's funny. For all the dog whistling in this thread, while the CVS around the corner from my apartment has tons of empty shelves, somehow the Walgreens down the block doesn't.

Back in the 1980's I was a manager at CVS. They weren't so big and so bad back then. Plus the Valentines and Easter candies got marked way down. To the point where I'd be buying a case of peanut M&M's for very short money.

Sadly, they'll probably close my CVS, it's the most ratchet one in town.

I went to my local (recently remodeled) Best Buy and the store is now like half to 2/3 it's original size. The remainder of the space has been turned into a warehouse to store goods for customer pickup and ship-to-store. People just aren't shopping in b&m stores like they used to.

R102 they haven't yet released it.

CVS has its own weird organization pattern, r97. In any other store, Kleenex and Puffs would be on the aisle with paper goods, e.g., paper towels. But at CVS they're over by cold medicines. When I lived one block from a CVS, I'd check the Sunday ad and make some good buys. But it's expensive if you aren't cherry picking. I prefer Walgreens.

R110

While retail in general is being hammered by online, some sectors are feeling it more than others.

Electronic and appliance (both small and white goods/major) have been hit hard by rise of online.

First salvos began when computers became more common starting in 1990's early 2000's. People came in, asked forty thousand questions to do their "research", then went online to buy. Things went from bad to worse as tablets and phones have largely replaced PCs for many people, and or at least offer a mobile and powerful option.

Without shame people go into electronics or appliance stores with their phones or whatever, do instant research, and yet again pester some poor salesperson with forty thousand questions, but still once again on average buy online. When online began offering free delivery and possibly returns that was end of game.

Small and or independent appliance or electronics stores long faced competition from large big box stores like Best Buy, Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, PC Richards, etc... Now the latter are facing pressures from online with everyone else.

Many big stores like Best Buy that manage to continue have tried to fight fire with fire; physical stores to a point exist to support their online sales.

There is a huge Best Buy at 86th and Lexington here in NYC (used to be the long lost but still lamented HMV music store), that mostly is a warehouse or whatever for online. For two levels of huge space there is comparatively little merchandise per square foot than say when place first opened.

[quote] That's what they get for gouging customers and buying smaller mom and pop drugstores. Be gone! CVS. I prefer Rite-Aid.

I detest Rite-Aid. The one in my area is a haven for crackheads and drunks.

[quote] CVS stores are pointless.

A lot of people depend on the CVS in their area, you dumb twat.

Least from what one has seen in NYC Rite-Aid's prices are lower than Duane Reade, Walgreens and CVS. Also their sale items tend to be more generous as well.

When Walgreens bought Duane Reade prices increased rather dramatically. That was one reason went off DR in favor of Rite Aid.

This being said you have to know your prices... Brand of organic milk we like is about $1.10 more at Rite Aid as opposed to Morton Williams/Associated supermarkets.

One reason for sticking with Rite Aid was they did have a pretty good loyalty program. Things changed up a few years ago making it rather less rewarding.

Quite honestly for many things Amazon often is cheaper than any of these places. Things get better when you're on Prime....

you need to go to physical stores to check stuff out. Like TVs. you need to see with your own eyes, a picture online ain't gonna cut it.

There used to be another model for stores - like you saw on Green Acres or Petticoat Junction? All of the goods, whether food or whatever, were in the back, and you'd go to a counter, tell the shopkeeper what you wanted, and he'd have some workers/boys to box it up and bring it up front.

When phones came along, it was common for housewives (maybe everybody?) to call for what they wanted and have delivery boys bring it. As a parallel industry -- at least in towns/cities, people had milk and other dairy products delivered - maybe even every day?

OR people would walk to various individual shops - one for meats, one was a bakery, a fishmonger, a greengrocer...

I don't think the serve-yourself stores like CVS, Walmart, even Department Stores even existed in the 1800's, which isn't really THAT long ago. It's like we're going back to something similar to an earlier time -- contact someone and have them bring you what you need (i.e. Amazon)

R117 = GAH!!!!!!!

Yeah well don't be surprised as options for people like you to kick the tires, then go off and buy elsewhere are dwindling. No one makes any money from bottom feeders wasting sales persons time, handling things on display until they aren't just "shop worn" but nearly destroyed.

Oh and don't moan about how cannot find a salesperson and or they just don't want to be bothered.

Good salespersons long have learned how to spot time wasters, especially if they work on full or part commission.

CVS only has 1 cashier. They force you to use the self service machines.

A drug store is great for emergencies, like if you are bleeding and need a band-aid and don't have any at home. But look at most of the merchandise you'll find at CVS--you can easily order it online. It's not like if you want to purchase a pack of diapers or a spiral notebook you really need to go to the store to examine the product up close to decide on what to buy. And everything you can buy at CVS you can buy at a supermarket, where you're likely to find loads of items that you need but are not sold at CVS.

I think that, ideally, CVS would simply provide two services: pharmacy, and a place for people who like to stand in line.

[quote]What are your chances in any of these grim places of unearthing an Evening in Paris by Bourjois gift set? Zero, I'd guess.

You'd have better luck on eBay or Etsy. The Vermont Country Store carries a newer version of EIP and other ancient scents, they basically sell copies of vintage scents.

And, r121, the self-service machine has a propensity to come up with a reason that you have to wait for service from the human handling the line. Today I was stuck at a CVS where they had a single check-out clerk and single self-checkout. The woman doing self-checkout had a coupon for every item and the machine spit out every coupon. So, the entire time I was in the store, she had the clerk working on clearing her coupons. Lucky for me, once I got in line, the clerk stepped away from her and checked me out in a minute. When I left, she was still doing her coupon battle.

People going on about lack of cashiers need to realize not everyone who works in retail wants to work registers, and or is even trained to do so. Also since those handling money receive higher scrutiny when hired or whatever not everyone employed in any retail location even qualifies to work registers.

United States is on average about a decade or more behind much of Europe, Asia and elsewhere in world where not just debit/bank or credit cards are used for majority of retail transactions, but also various tap and go, peer to peer, etc... also dominate. While Americans struggle on average with using their phones to "tap and go" it has been normal or fast gaining in many parts of world for years.

Quite honestly outside of processing certain transactions (returns, coupons, exchanges, purchase of items requiring ID like tobacco and or alcohol) , you really don't need a cashier. Self service is faster and easier, and exposes retail with less problems regarding handling of cash.

Self serve checkouts are having no end of problems with coupons. Massive amounts of fraud are being committed and as such often now self serve "registers" have been programmed to be rather sensitive to what they will or will not accept. This and or places have stopped allowing use of coupons at all for self serve. If you have them you'll have to go to physical cashier for check out.

[quote]United States is on average about a decade or more behind much of Europe, Asia and elsewhere in world where not just debit/bank or credit cards are used for majority of retail transactions, but also various tap and go, peer to peer, etc... also dominate. While Americans struggle on average with using their phones to "tap and go" it has been normal or fast gaining in many parts of world for years.

Blame the Boomers for holding on to old technologies. They refuse to adapt to a changing world.

[quote] Blame the Boomers for holding on to old technologies. They refuse to adapt to a changing world.

What a stupid attitude. You are such an asshole.

Well it's true r128

Uh, no it's not, R129. It's just the attitude of a stupid, biased person.

Keep telling yourself that r130. Everybody else is on the same page tech-wise, but the Boomers refuse to let go. Why do you think we still have newspapers and other print media still?

I don't know if anyone else has used one of the Amazon Go convenience stores. There are a couple in Manhattan now. It's basically a 7/11, but you scan to enter with a QR code, just take whatever you want from the shelf, and walk out. The first time I did it, I felt like I was shoplifting.

R118, there used to be a store in my area called Jewel Mart that sort of had a shopping model like this. When you entered the store, you were given a clip board with an order sheet. There was only one display model of each item and you wrote down what you wanted and gave it to the cashier/stock room to retrieve your order.

As far as self-checkouts go, I don't mind them personally. But I will say, Target has an absolutely stupid self checkout system. If you try and pay with cash at them, an employee has to come over to process it and retrieve your change from the drawer underneath it.

It seems like the Jewel Mart business model would cut way down on shoplifting. And would it really require more employees? And was there a "Service Merchandise" store that worked like this?

^ that name sounds familiar.

Wow, R134. You're as old as I am.

Service Merchandise. Exactly as you described. One big show room with all the merchandise stored away from the sales floor.

R121 My CVS doesn't even have self-checkout. And it's a fairly large suburban store that's probably only 10 years old.

r136 There were LOTS of those "showroom" chains -- Best Products and Service Merchandise were probably the best known, but there were many local and regional versions.

It is rather funny that all the big retail landlords once welcomed with open arms in places like NYC, now are downsizing and or closing locations.

Banks, Duane Reade, Walgreens and similar stores along with Starbucks once were on every corner her in NYC. Often taking up huge spaces on multiple levels. That slowly has been coming to an end as all of them retrench or otherwise pull back.

Duane Reade closed a huge number of stores on UES a few years ago, and spaces still sit empty. Ditto for banks, and some Starbucks locations. In fact there is a former SB right across from CVS in my area that has been sitting empty for a few years now.

As more people move to banking online places don't need as many branches, and certainly not huge ones.

R44 There are LITERALLY 6 count’ EM , 6 LITERALLY 6 CVS stores LITERALLY within 10 minutes of my home. I’m not kidding you, I mean LITERALLY!

[quote]And was there a "Service Merchandise" store that worked like this?

R136- I was a VERY good customer of Service Merchandise from 1984 to 1999. They were a catalogue store WAY before Amazon. Every year I would receive their catalogue in the mail and I'd do the shopping at home. When I went to the store I knew what I wanted and walked over to one of the computers and ordered the item. It would come up on a conveyor belt I would pay for the item and then leave. I didn't have to waste time shopping in the store. In 1995 I bought a doctor's scale. It could only be purchased on the phone and delivered to me. I still have it 26 years later.

My post belongs on the underwhelm me thread

Best Products stores were known for their daring architecture.

At least in my area, before it was Service Merchandise, it was 'Wilson's"

Always overpriced, always pushing one to buy more than they want to get a discount..good bye!

R145- Not overpriced

a RIPOFF

Boomers are the ones who invented this changing world. Microsoft, Amazon, Pay Pal, APPLE, Google.

All boomers

Don’t forget Facebook

*shiver*

CVS are basically convenience stores at this point. They replaced 7/11 and places like that. Yes, they are expensive because you're paying for the convenience. Women used to shop for cosmetics at drug stores, but the spread of Ulta and Sephora has probably cut into that business. None of this affects me, because I don't have any prescriptions and I buy everything I need from Amazon.

Google and PayPal were the creation of Gen Xers.

Jony Ive, who's more responsible for Apple's success than Steve Jobs was (Jobs was PT Barnum, don't kid yourself) is a Gen Xer.

Depending on where you draw the Gen X line, so is Jeff Bezos.

Where I live CVS wanted to open and after years of meetings with the town council and supervisors it was built. I went in once and it was empty. I was one of maybe three customers in this oversize excuse for a pharmacy. I expect it to close.

We have too many pharmacies and not enough smaller grocery stores.

[quote]Boomers are the ones who invented this changing world. Microsoft, Amazon, Pay Pal, APPLE, Google.

But most Boomers are completely retarded when it comes to tech and refuse to change.

R149- I agree. They sell ice cream, candy , snick snacks, soda everything a 7-11 sells except those SKANKY hot dogs rolling under the heat lamp ALL DAY.

[quote] But most Boomers are completely retarded when it comes to tech and refuse to change.

Actually it is you who sound "completely retarded." A completely retarded insufferable little prick.

It's funny and sad and not surprising that the cunts on the DL bay for the blood of shoplifters and the WOKE politicians who LEGALIZE THEFT but don't give a shit that Walgreens had to pay out an enormous amount of money to settle a class-action wage theft lawsuit from their own employees.

All you Amazon lovers, do you 😍 🥰 the fact that Jeff Bezos is a multi-zillionaire, yet doesn't pay taxes? Treats his fulfillment center workers like robots, doesn't allow them to unionize and they can't even take a piss or shit when they have to?

Bezos basically said most people are lazy.? Guess all you idiots enjoy giving this douchebag your hard earned money.

FUCK Amazon.

Meanwhile, CVS is a great corporate citizen, pays extra taxes, and starts its employees with $20/hour with the best health insurance out there.

[quote]They have better coupons than Walgreens in my experience?

yet it is in the form of a question?

r157 Hey, do you realize that Jeff Bezos doesn't own Amazon? And that if you have a 401(k) plan or a mutual fund you're probably one of the owners?

I thought all Amazon workers started off with $15-20/hour wages. Do they not?

Honestly I don’t care about giving him my money if the services and products he offers are faster and cheaper. Being a prime member and using the subscribe and save option saves me even more on toilet paper, toothpaste, dental floss, etc. Why would I ever want to pay more?

[quote] Being a prime member and using the subscribe and save option saves me even more on toilet paper, toothpaste, dental floss, etc.

how charming. . . .

Is it going out of business because it keeps sending me 40% off single item coupons?

40% off of a CVS price (and you notice that you are not allowed to use the coupon on sale items) is still higher than the everyday price at Walmart, Target, or Amazon.

Sometimes CVS will print out Extrabucks for me just because. But it really wastes a lot of paper printing out coupons that will never be used!

My local CVS is a dump. Plus they’ll stole some of my pills! THIEVES

I now get most things I might have bought at CVS via Amazon.

I can set up regular delivery for some items and most of the time things arrive in a day or two.

Mostly just a matter of remembering to order when you are starting to run low or keeping a reserve.

So much easier than wasting time in the store

I read a better article about this elsewhere. They aren't really downsizing or in financial trouble. They bought Aetna a few years ago and are now expanding into a bunch of different health care services. The margin on offering urgent care and fatty care is a lot higher than selling candy. Dollar General cut into their candy and junk business, and apparently CVS is happy to let them keep it.

[quote]The margin on offering urgent care and fatty care is a lot higher than selling candy.

Agree r168. Walgreens is doing the same thing. A store near me has a mini LabCorp operation inside, and its already loaded with people to point where they will eventually have to do away with some of the retail space to accommodate seating and disabled people in wheelchairs. Most of these drugstores were going up on every corner 10 years ago and now they are converting them to mini clinics to make more money.

Every time I pick up my scrips from CVS I get 37 feet of coupons and discounts I never use...what a waste

[quote] Every time I pick up my scrips from CVS I get 37 feet of coupons and discounts I never use...what a waste

I loved getting lots of coupons from CVS. They also gave out "Extra Bucks", which you could use for anything. I thought that was great.

When CVS stopped selling tobacco products, that probably also contributed to their ultimate demise. I'm a former smoker, but I would frequent drug stores (and gas stations) to get smokes back in the day.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if more drug store chains start downsizing. I'm not a CVS stan btw. They're all over priced convenience stores. I actually live within walking distance of a CVS, Rite Aid, and a Walgreens. I wish I was kidding. You can't drive a few miles without passing several of these places, they're everywhere.

[quote]When CVS stopped selling tobacco products, that probably also contributed to their ultimate demise. I'm a former smoker, but I would frequent drug stores (and gas stations) to get smokes back in the day.

Same. I usually bought my cigs at CVS or Walgreens. They tended to be cheaper there than buying them at a gas station. Grocery stores were always a ripoff.

R172 here again, I should also add - these are hot spots for opiates as we're dealing with an opioid crisis.

[quote]When CVS stopped selling tobacco products, that probably also contributed to their ultimate demise. I'm a former smoker, but I would frequent drug stores (and gas stations) to get smokes back in the day.

"Demise?" They have 9,000 stores.

R157, wrong! He treats the robots better than humans in his warehouses!

Also when Amazon bought whole foods, they got rid of health insurance for part time workers! so fuck Jeff Bezos!

[quote] no self-checkout

Oh, boo hoo. One fewer people without a job.

[quote] it was always more expensive than Walmart

And you can shop at Walmart if you lack self-respect.

I can shop at Walmart online and never have to step foot into one of their depressing stores. Yay, progress!

I don’t shop at amazon

[quote]I don’t shop at amazon

Ooooh, get her!

NYS banned the sale of cigarettes in all pharmacies in 2020.

Massachusetts banned the sale of all menthol cigarettes in 2020.

Why? Is menthol worse for you?

Menthol is worse in the sense that it significantly mitigates the harshness of the tobacco smoke, thereby making the cigarettes easier to smoke and soon become dependent upon.

I couldn't stand menthol when I smoked, I actually thought menthol cigs were more harsh than regular cigs.

[quote]Meanwhile, CVS is a great corporate citizen, pays extra taxes, and starts its employees with $20/hour with the best health insurance out there.

The point isn't even the wages or CVS' corporate model, it's the fact that, in a few years, Amazon will eventually own every fucking business that most people deal with.

If Amazon keeps up at this pace, how many brick and mortars stores will there be left? This company has caused many businesses to fold. People are so fucking lazy, half the shit they order from Amazon, they don't urgently need.

For all of you complaining that the chain drugstores are putting mom & pop stores out of business, then, WTF is Amazon doing?

Some of you are incredibly stupid.

Oh I dunno. At the turn of the last century, Woolworth's was a retail behemoth and had this huge mail-order business. Why would anyone buy anything at a retail shop when you can just mail-order it from Woolworth's?

Nothing is forever.

[quote][R157], wrong! He treats the robots better than humans in his warehouses! Also when Amazon bought whole foods, they got rid of health insurance for part time workers! so fuck Jeff Bezos!

You basically agreed with me, so how am I WRONG? 🤔 🙄

I hope the next time that ugly fuck Bezos gets into one of his rockets, private planes or helicopters, the damn thing blows up.

I love the fact his ex-wife is giving away so much money!

[quote]Oh I dunno. At the turn of the last century, Woolworth's was a retail behemoth and had this huge mail-order business. Why would anyone buy anything at a retail shop when you can just mail-order it from Woolworth's? Nothing is forever.

Again, you are completely missing the point. Bezos is as bad as the Koch Brothers, actually he's much worse, he's gobbling up every damn business. Isn't he now the richest person the world? How much money does this freak need? At some point, it's just a game.

Zuckerberg, Gates and Buffet, amateurs they can fuckin' suck it...

[quote]Some of you are incredibly stupid.

Hell, yeah. This is Data Lounge!

Bezos just game $100 million to Obama's Foundation.

$100 mill, is that all? That's pocket change to that Bezos creep.