By Mike De Felice

Kitsap Daily News

PORT ORCHARD – The future of two CVS outlets in Kitsap County is up in the air following the announcement that the drug store chain is closing 900 stores nationally – or about 10% of its stores.

CVS currently operates a CVS pharmacy in Target in Silverdale and a CVS store in Poulsbo.

Last Thursday the national pharmacy chain unveiled its plan to close 300 stores each year for the next three years.

An announcement of which CVS pharmacies will close will be made at the end of April 2022, CVS spokeswoman Monica Prinzing told Kitsap News Group.

“We will provide more details, including specific locations, when available,” Prinzing said. “Local communities and store locations will always be given advance notice to prepare.”

In explaining its decision, CVS officials stated, “The company has been evaluating changes in population, consumer buying patterns and future health needs to ensure it has the right kinds of stores in the right locations for consumers and for the business.”

A decision about what stores will close will involve a review of local trends.

“We consider a number of factors when making these decisions, including local market dynamics, population shifts, store density, customer demand for omnichannel engagement, and other factors,” Prinzing said.

Once is it determined which outlets will be shuttered, company officials said, the hope is that impacted workers will be transferred to nearby stores or moved to other positions in the company.

That CVS is tightening its financial belt through store closures is not unique. Walgreens has also been closing outlets and is looking to open small-format pharmacies one-quarter the size of its typical store, according to industry analysts.

Online pharmacies have impacted conventional drug stores, which are feeling the pinch through the reduction of people driving to their local drug store to pick up prescriptions, analysts report.