19th Jan 2023 13:51
(Alliance News) - LloydsPharmacy has said it will pull out of its 237 pharmacy sites within Sainsbury's supermarkets.
The pharmacy chain on Thursday said it has cut the services following a strategic review "in response to changing market conditions".
LloydsPharmacy added that it is "exploring options" for each branch individual and will confirm exact closure plans on a "branch-by-branch" basis but expects to complete the process over the course of 2023.
It stressed that it is working with all colleagues impacted by the announcement but did not disclose how many workers would be affected.
Kevin Birch, chief executive officer of LloydsPharmacy, said: "This decision has not been an easy one and we understand that our patients and customers may have questions about how the change will affect them.
"We would like to thank them for their continued support and assure them that we are committed to providing a smooth transition over the coming months.
"I am very grateful to all our colleagues for their dedication to our patients, customers and communities."
A J Sainsbury PLC spokeswoman said: "LloydsPharmacy is withdrawing pharmacy services from our stores over the coming months.
"We will work with them to ensure customers are clear on how they can access an alternative pharmacy provision to meet their needs."
The decision comes seven years after LloydsPharmacy first snapped up the pharmacies from the retailer for GBP125 million.
Sainsbury's shares were down 1.2% at 239.60 pence in London on Thursday afternoon.
By Henry Saker-Clark, PA Deputy Business Editor
source: PA
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