Does Walmart Own Walgreens? (2023 Guide)

Have you ever noticed that Walmart and Walgreens stores tend to be located close together? 

This is easy to overlook at first. However, once it’s on your radar, you are likely to notice it wherever you go. 

It’s no secret that Walmart is the largest retailer in the world. This huge corporation is owned by the Walton family as well as public shareholders. But, if you’re wondering, ‘does Walmart own Walgreens?’, it’s time to find out… 

Walgreens Ownership 

Charles Rudolph Walgreen founded Walgreens in 1901. The company mainly remained in the family until 2009. That was until 2023, when Kevin Walgreen resigned from the role of senior vice president of the southern region. 

AmerisourceBergen acquired a majority share in the corporation in 2021. However, the corporation is officially owned by the Walgreens Boots Alliance. This larger holding company also owns the Duane Reade drug store chain. 

So, to answer the question, Walmart does not own Walgreens; Walgreens Boots Alliance does.

Read more: Key Holder Job Description

Size Matters To Walmart

There are more than 10,000 Walmart stores and clubs throughout the world. The company has a presence in 24 different countries. However, many of these stores are operated under different names. 

There are slightly more than 9,000 Walgreen stores in all of the fifty states of the United States. However, the Walgreens Boots Alliance boasts a much larger global presence. There are more than 21,000 stores in eleven different countries. 

Similar Services

The primary focus of the two retail chains is slightly different. While Walgreens is first and foremost a pharmaceutical retailer, Walmart is best known for groceries and discount goods. While Walmart launched in-store pharmacies in 1978, this has never been the main revenue stream. However, the company has started expanding its range of healthcare products and services in recent years. 

Walmart Health was launched in 2019 to offer customers accessible and affordable healthcare services. Since then, a number of deals have been launched, such as 90-day medication supplies for just $10. However, Walgreens has still managed to retain a much larger market share of the global healthcare services sector. 

Other Companies Owned By Walmart

One of the secrets behind Walmart’s success is its focus on global expansion. The corporation owns thousands of other chains and individual stores around the world. Here are some of the main companies that are owned by Walmart. 

Hayneedle

This online furniture retailer offers a large selection of stylish yet affordable furniture and accessories. Hayneedle was acquired by Walmart in 2016. This has helped the company to expand its online presence and product range. 

Jet.com

This American e-commerce company was established in 2014 with an impressive online presence. It was purchased by Walmart just two years later for a reported $3.3 billion. These days, when you type jet.com into your web browser search bar, you are redirected to Walmart.com. 

Massmart 

Massmart is the second-largest goods distributor in Africa and boasts more than 400 stores. The company sells groceries, general goods, and alcoholic beverages. Walmart purchased this African-based company and its subsidiaries for $2.54 million in 2011.

Art.com 

This online retailer sells affordable wall art and other types of home décor products. Art.com is the largest online art and home décor retailer in the world. The company was acquired in 2018 to allow Walmart to expand into this lucrative market. 

Bonobos

This is another acquisition that was made to boost the company’s online presence and digital sales. Bonobos was purchased in 2017 for a reported $310 million. This has allowed the company to break into the online fashion market and increase its reach. 

Moosejaw 

This company operates both physical stores and has an impressive online presence. Moosejaw is particularly popular among the outdoor sports community. The company was purchased in 2017 for a reported $51 million. 

Sam’s Club 

This brand was created in 1983 and named after Walmart founder Sam Walton. Sam’s Club offers discounts and large volume shopping to customers around the world. Customers have to purchase an annual membership to gain access to exclusive deals and discounts. 

Vudu

This media technology company specializes in content delivery and the internet distribution of films to television networks. Vudu has a very prominent presence throughout the United States and Canada. The company was acquired in 2012 for $100 million. 

Asda Stores, Ltd.

This acquisition in 1999 allowed the company to expand its presence to the United Kingdom. Asda is a household name in the United Kingdom and sells discount groceries and other types of domestic items. The company purchased this supermarket chain with a winning bid of $7 billion. 

Other companies acquired by Walmart include:

What Else Does Walmart Own?

If you’re curious, let’s start with our in-depth guide on Companies Owned by Walmart, along with Does Walmart Own Dollar Tree, Is Dollar general Owned By Walmart, and Is Target Owned By Walmart, you might also want to know How Much Is Walmart Worth in 2023.

Why not work in retail by taking a look at our guide to the Walgreens Application as well as the most frequetly asked Walgreens Interview Questions and the Walgreens Customer Service Associate Interview Questions to help prepare? But, if you have a criminal record, you’ll need to check Does Walgreens Run Background Checks before moving forward.

Lastly, before heading out for your weekly shopping, you might be wondering Does Walgreens Have ATMs, and Does Walgreens Do Cash Back if you’re low on cash, or find out When Does Walgreens Restock to ensure you get the items you need.

Does Walmart Own Walgreens? – Final Thoughts

Walmart and Walgreens have similar names and sell many of the same types of products. When you travel throughout the United States, you may notice that the stores tend to be located close together. Therefore, many people think that the two brands are owned by the same company.

However, they are not; Walgreens is not owned by Walmart, they both have different owners and feature separate retail strategies. Still, Walmart does own a large number of similar companies around the world. Many of the smaller companies that have been acquired feature Walmart branding despite keeping their original names.

Now you know more about the famous Superstore!