Morrisons puts dozens of pharmacies up for sale in bid to cut costs

The supermarket chain, which is owned CD&R, has launched a sale process of its in-store pharmacies, having concluded that many are not financially viable, according to The Telegraph.

Following a review, property agents have been tasked with selling some of the retailer’s pharmacies on a store-by-store basis, as opposed to selling off its entire portfolio.

Any pharmacies eventually sold as part of the process would likely remain open, but would be operated under the fascia of the new buyer.

The move comes after Morrisons’ losses plunged to £381m last year, fuelled by steep borrowing costs. Rising debt has led the grocer’s bosses to reduce borrowing, which fell from £3.5bn to £3.1bn last summer.

Selling pharmacies is the latest attempt to strip back the retailer and to refocus its business on traditional retail.

In 2025, Morrisons restructured its store estate, closing four pharmacies, 52 in-store cafes, 17 convenience stores, 35 meat counters and 13 florists, leading to the loss of 300 jobs in areas “where the costs of operations are significantly out of line with usage, volumes, or the value that customers place on them”.

Chief executive of Morrisons Rami Baitiéh said the cuts were a “necessary part of our plans to renew and reinvigorate Morrisons”.

The supermarket is continuing its turnaround strategy after Baitiéh admitted the business had gone through a “challenging period”.

Morrisons has been struggling to boost its market share, with the retailer blaming weaker consumer spending, particularly among less affluent consumers, who have been struggling with persistent food inflation.

The National Pharmacy Association said around 1,400 pharmacies have closed in England since 2017, leaving many people unable to access medicines where they live.

Boots has closed hundreds of pharmacies in recent years, while Lloydspharmacy collapsed in 2024, with the closure of 138 sites.