Skip to content
Apply
Stories

Have MinuteClinics had their minute? Why retail health clinics are shutting their doors, and what’s next

People in this story

It wasn’t long ago that health clinics in retail grocery stores and pharmacies were the next big thing in health care. But between Walmart shutting its medical clinics, Walgreens closing 160 VillageMD centers and CVS announcing the closure of dozens of MinuteClinics in California and New England, has the health clinic retail model’s moment expired? Northeastern Global News interviewed Timothy Hoff, professor  of management, healthcare systems, and health policy at Northeastern, about why the model is failing and what’s next for delivery of primary care services outside the physician’s office.

His comments have been edited for brevity.

Read more on Northeastern Global News.

More Stories

Director and actor Timothy Busfield looks on before a hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in Albuquerque, N.M. (Sam Wasson/Pool Photo via AP)

Why prosecutors allege that actor Timothy Busfield groomed a community to cover up child sexual abuse 

04.21.2026
President Donald Trump talks to the media on the South Lawn before departing on Marine One at the White House, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

From Donald Trump to Jacob Frey — has politics lost its profanity filter?

04.21.2026
Hands, parent and child with plant soil of gardening, earth day and learning of agriculture care. Family, kid and closeup with leaf for sustainable growth, teaching and environment wellness of nature

It’s hard to make people more eco-friendly. New research finds a potential solution: children

04.22.26
Northeastern Global News