CVS — which years ago decided on a medical care focus that has entailed dropping lucrative tobacco sales, acquiring health insurer Aetna and developing a new clinic-based store concept — appears to be shrugging off its competition.
Rival Walgreens is reportedly mulling a take-private effort as it struggles to develop a growth strategy not centered on acquisitions. The drugstore retailer failed in its attempt to take over Rite Aid, which itself is buckling under the fierce competition and volatile prescription reimbursements in the space.
