CVS slashing store hours in two-thirds of pharmacy locations

BOSTON — Check those store hours.

CVS, the nation’s largest drugstore chain by revenue, plans to cut or shift hours in two-thirds of its nearly 9,000 U.S. locations this March.

According to the Wall Street Journal, CVS has struggled to meet high demands for COVID shots and vaccines. The pharmacy chain slashed hours and even closed some locations for entire weekends.

CVS informed employees most of the reduced hours will fall during points of the lowest patient demand or when there is only one pharmacist onsite, the WSJ reports.

According to the WSJ report, brands like CVS and Walmart have been working " to stop an exodus of pharmacy staff by offering such perks as bonuses, higher pay and guaranteed lunch breaks.”

CVS said in a statement it periodically reviews store operating hours to ensure stores are handling the peak of customer demand.

“From time to time, this may result in a shift in pharmacy hours. By adjusting hours in select stores this spring, we ensure our pharmacy teams are available to serve patients when they’re most needed. If a pharmacy is closed, a patient can visit any open CVS Pharmacy location for assistance with their immediate prescription needs,” said the pharmaceutical giant.

CVS raised its minimum wage to $15 an hour last year. The company has launched new healthcare offerings in an attempt to transform themselves into a more all-encompassing provider of medical services, according to the WSJ.

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