There used to be a time when pharmacies were a local business run by a family that you would find specific to whatever town you were passing through. Like most things nowadays, the top pharmacies are chains that can be found everywhere throughout the United States. It’s convenient, I can go to get a prescription and if one store can’t make it or doesn’t have it, they can immediately check another location and send me there. Here are the most valuable pharmacy chains in the United States.
5.Rite Aid – $7.54 Billion
Rite Aid was actually founded in Pennsylvania and has become the largest drug store chain on the east coast and third largest in the nation. Although the company saw a decline in its market capitalization a couple of years ago, Rite Aid recently brought in a revenue of $25.7 billion and has grown its market cap from $1.4 billion in 2012 to the current $7.54 billion.
4. Kroger – $24.2 Billion
Kroger was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio and is the second largest general retailer out there. Kroger has grown into a mega convenience store and expanded to now operate 2,640 locations across the country. Kroger pulled in a huge $101.3 billion in revenue and is currently trading at $49 a share.
3. Walgreens – $70.3 Billion
Walgreens is the pharmacy that I have watched slowly takeover my area while I was growing up. The company just started popping up more and more but seemed to always be open late and the stores were gigantic for being a pharmacy/convenience store. Walgreens is the largest drug retailer chain around and has spread itself throughout all 50 states with a total of 8,678 stores.
2. CVS – $90 Billion
CVS is considered the second largest behind Walgreens with over 7,600 stores across the United States. This pharmacy started in Massachusetts and is your classic but typical convenience store/pharmacy. CVS is probably the most stable brand name out there in the pharmacy market and has been around for the longest time. CVS collected a revenue of 128.7 billion and has a market cap of $90 billion.
1. Wal-Mart – $245.3 Billion
Wal-Mart is really in it’s own category, but does technically offer pharmaceutical services therefore qualifying them for this category. While all pharmacies have adapted into convenience stores as well, Wal-Mart is essentially its own mall that has everything. The have a ridiculous market cap of $245.3 billion and even offer some in house pharmaceuticals.
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