Walmart shortens pharmacies' hours

The Walmart chain has more than 5,000 stores across the U.S. that house pharmacies. (AP)
The Walmart chain has more than 5,000 stores across the U.S. that house pharmacies. (AP)

Walmart Inc. is shortening its pharmacy hours in the midst of a nationwide staffing shortage.

The pharmacies at Walmart's 4,600 U.S. stores are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays. But starting in March, they will close at 7 p.m., a Walmart spokeswoman said Monday.

Walmart pharmacies' will continue to close at 7 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The Bentonville-based retailer said the change is meant to enhance its pharmacy team's work-life balance and maintain its level of customer service.

The company said feedback from both customers and employees sparked the change.

CVS Health also said it's cutting pharmacy hours at some of its 9,900 stores depending on customer demand.

Walgreens has already cut pharmacy hours at some stores because of staffing shortages, The Wall Street Journal reported, and offered signing bonuses of up to $75,000.

The median pay for pharmacists was $60.43 an hour, or $125,690, in May 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In June, Walmart raised the average pay for pharmacy technicians to more than $20 an hour to attract and retain workers. It also said it would hire 5,000 pharmacy techs in 2022.

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