By Dhirendra Tripathi
Investing.com – CVS Health stock (NYSE:CVS) rose 1.6% higher Thursday as the company said it will shut 300 stores every year for the next three as it moves to bank more on digital sales.
Store closures will begin in sprint next year. The shut units will add up to roughly 9% of CVS’ approximately 10,000 U.S. stores.
CVS will also create new store formats to drive higher engagement with consumers, a release by the company said.
The company plans to turn some of its pharmacies into units that offer a range of medical services, from administering shots to conducting tests.
In connection with the planned store closures, the company expects to record an impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2021 of between $1 billion and $1.2 billion.
The company reiterated its guidance for adjusted profit per share of $7.90 to $8.
It also revamped its top management team, elevating Executive Vice President (Specialty Pharmacy and Product Innovation) Prem Shah to the role of the company's first Chief Pharmacy Officer with immediate effect. Shah will also oversee CVS’ multichannel pharmacy strategy.
Effective January, Shah and Michelle Peluso will become Co-Presidents of CVS’ retail business, with the latter overseeing front-store strategy and operations. Peluso joined the chain this year as Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer.