Walgreens laying off 256 workers, mostly in Chicago

CHICAGO — Walgreens Boots Alliance is laying off 256 workers, mostly in Chicago — the latest in a series of layoffs at the company in recent years as it struggles with financial losses. The jobs are being cut, “To further our focus on our core retail pharmacy business,” said spokesman Fraser Engerman, in an email. The Deerfield-based company is also eliminating 215 open positions.

“While decisions like these are always difficult, we believe this action is necessary to position us to rapidly respond to the changing external environment so we can best serve the millions of patients and customers who depend on us every day for their health care needs,” Engerman said. The layoffs come as Walgreens works to turn around its business, aiming to focus more on its retail pharmacy efforts. Earlier this month, Walgreens announced that it planned to close 1,200 — or about 14% — of its U.



S. stores in the next three years. Walgreens has also walked away from a previous plan to attach Village Medical clinics to 1,000 of its stores, saying it now plans to sell all or part of its VillageMD business.

The company has eliminated more than 1,000 jobs over the last few years, including many in Illinois. Walgreens has been working to cut costs, and exceeded its goal of cutting $1 billion in costs last fiscal year, following years of similar measures. Between June 1 and the end of August, the company had an operating loss of $978 million compared with $450 million during the same quarter last year.

Gov. J.B.

Pritzker joined lawmakers, doctors and others on Wednesday, March 13, to highlight his proposed Healthcare Protection Act, which includes several health insurance reform measures aimed at prioritizing patient care. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly..