The total number of pharmacy chains owned by most multiples has dived, according to NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA) data published last week (February 4).
The dataset revealed that between January 2024 and 2025, the total number of “large” pharmacy branches dropped by a staggering 319, while small and medium pharmacies part-filled the gap by opening 84 and 51 pharmacies in total respectively.
But despite this, as of last month the total number of bricks-and-mortar pharmacies in the UK stands at 10,025, perilously close to dipping below 10,000 for the first time since 2005, according to the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).
C+D analysed the quarterly updated consolidated pharmaceutical list and compared the number of premises operated by the sector’s major players to the corresponding year-ago quarter to discover which chains were closing their branches’ doors.
Data analysis is limited by the organisation names submitted to the NHS BSA – where premises have been registered under different company names, they may not be included.
Read more: Boots reveals plans to close 300 branches
C+D found that chief among the downsizing multiples is Boots, which lost some 297 branches between the second quarters of 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Year-on-year, the number of Boots branches dipped from 1,636 to 1,339, according to NHSE data, a reduction of 18%.
In June 2023, the multiple revealed that it was “set to close 300 shops across the country over the next year”.
Read more: Revealed: Boots planning up to 69 more store closures across UK
This June, the chain’s parent company revealed plans “to reduce its presence by up to 650 Boots stores” – but it remained unclear when the closure programme began.
The number of pharmacies operated by Rowlands pharmacies also took a dip in 2024, analysis found.
By the second quarter of 2024/25, Rowlands operated some 173 branches compared to 257 in the year-ago-quarter, reflecting a drop of 84 premises, or a portfolio reduction of 33%.
Read more: Lloydspharmacy confirms ‘successful sale’ of all community pharmacies
In 2023, a source who wished to remain anonymous told C+D that Rowlands was selling 79 of its branches to a sister company.
At the time, Rowlands spokesperson said that the figure was “speculative”, and that the multiple did not have plans to sell a specific number of branches.
But last month (January 30), Rowlands told C+D that while it is “committed to providing communities with the best pharmaceutical care service”, “due to insufficient government pharmacy funding across England, [it is] continually reviewing [its] network of branches and having to consolidate where possible”.
Read more: ‘Horrifying’: Pharmacy Access Scheme fails to prevent 58 closures
“This is happening across the pharmacy sector and not just an issue specific to Rowlands,” it said.
“We are working closely with all parties involved to ensure the future care needs of the local and surrounding communities are carefully considered,” it added.
Data analysis also confirmed that LloydsPharmacy sold up its remaining 99 pharmacies over the last year, as C+D exclusively reported last November.
Dispensing disposals
Other multiples did away with smaller numbers of pharmacies.
Day Lewis branch numbers dropped by 11 between the second quarter of 24/25 and the year-ago quarter, analysis found.
Read more: January 2025 market update: First-time pharmacy buyers rocket as GP investors enter the market
And Superdrug branch numbers fell by seven in the same period.
Asda and Jhoots pharmacies lost five and six pharmacies respectively over the last year, C+D found.
While Well and Paydens each dropped two premises in the period, and Weldricks lost one pharmacy, the data showed.
Read more: Asda pharmacy set to close amid drop in footfall and locum ‘staffing gaps’
Morrisons was the only chain to start and end the year period with the same number of pharmacies, while Cohens and Tesco pharmacies increased their numbers by one and two premises respectively.
C+D approached all analysed multiples for comment.
Sector shapeshifting
In September 2023, C+D analysis revealed that the numbers of pharmacies owned by small chains overtook those owned by large multiples.
This month, pharmacy brokers Hutchings Consultants’ said that first-time buyers “dominated” the 2024 pharmacy market after completing 53% of pharmacy sales across England, Scotland and Wales.
Read more: David and Goliath: Small chains now run more pharmacies than large multiples
And Christie & Co revealed that some 68% of UK pharmacy owners want to buy or sell in 2025.
In November, analysis of Office for National Statistics (ONS) data by small business insurance provider Simply Business found that pharmacies “will cease trading” within 15 years if nothing is done to stop closures.
