CVS Pharmacy: Bringing Personalized Care to Communities with New Small Format Stores
In a rapidly evolving health care landscape, one thing remains constant: the importance of trusted, accessible, and personalized pharmacy care. CVS Pharmacy®, the largest retail pharmacy chain in the United States, is reinforcing this commitment through the introduction of new small format pharmacy locations in select areas throughout 2025. This strategic expansion is more than just a real estate decision — it’s a tailored approach to meet the specific needs of local communities, particularly those that are underserved or lack sufficient access to essential pharmacy services.
With more than 9,000 locations across the country, CVS Pharmacy already serves as a convenient and reliable health care destination for millions of Americans. In fact, over 85% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a CVS Pharmacy. Yet, as population patterns shift, digital tools proliferate, and customer preferences evolve, so too must CVS’s approach to its physical presence. The new small format stores represent a thoughtful evolution of the company’s retail footprint — one that emphasizes pharmacy care, proximity, and community engagement.
Meeting Communities Where They Are
One of the core tenets of CVS Pharmacy’s strategy is ensuring that the right kinds of stores are located in the right places. This means going beyond a one-size-fits-all model and instead deploying store formats that are suited to the distinct needs of each community. Whether it’s a densely populated urban neighborhood, a suburban area with limited health care infrastructure, or a rural town with a shortage of pharmacy providers, CVS is adapting to serve those unique local contexts.
The new small format stores are a key example of this community-focused approach. These compact locations will be centered around providing comprehensive pharmacy services — including the dispensing of acute and maintenance prescriptions, medication counseling, immunizations, and adherence programs. Despite their smaller footprint, these stores will offer the same high-quality pharmacy experience customers expect, supported by licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who are available for personalized, in-person interactions.
Alongside the pharmacy, the stores will feature a curated assortment of over-the-counter health and wellness products, including cold and flu remedies, pain relief medications, vitamins, and other essential items. While the selection may be more streamlined compared to traditional CVS locations, the assortment will be carefully chosen to reflect the most common health needs of the communities each store serves.
A Multi-Format Strategy That Enhances Access
The introduction of small format pharmacies does not replace CVS Pharmacy’s existing locations, but rather complements the broader portfolio of store types designed to meet different consumer needs. This includes:
- Traditional CVS Pharmacy locations, which offer a full suite of pharmacy services in addition to a wide range of front-store items such as health and beauty products, snacks, seasonal goods, and household essentials.
- Store-in-store formats, such as CVS Pharmacy locations embedded within Target and Schnucks stores, offering convenience and integration with broader shopping experiences.
- Culturally responsive formats, including CVS Pharmacy y más, Navarro, and Longs Drugs, which are tailored to meet the preferences and needs of Hispanic, Asian, and other diverse communities through bilingual staff, culturally relevant product assortments, and specialized services.
- Health care-focused formats, which go beyond the pharmacy to include in-store access to health care providers from partners like Oak Street Health®, Carbon Health, Omnicare®, and MinuteClinic®. These locations serve as mini health hubs, offering chronic disease management, preventive screenings, and urgent care services under one roof.
This multi-format strategy enables CVS Pharmacy to extend its reach while remaining adaptable, flexible, and deeply connected to the communities it serves. It’s a powerful model that reflects the company’s belief that pharmacy care should be accessible, personalized, and deeply rooted in local needs.
The Value of In-Person Interactions
In an era of increasing digital health care tools, CVS Health® continues to invest in both physical locations and digital capabilities. However, recent research reveals a clear preference among Americans for maintaining in-person interactions, particularly when it comes to pharmacy care.
According to a CVS Health® consumer health report, 70% of Americans prefer in-person interactions with their pharmacist, and nearly 48% say they would consider switching pharmacies if they could only engage with their pharmacy digitally. This underscores the enduring importance of human connection in health care — particularly for services like medication counseling, vaccine administration, and prescription management.
Pharmacists are among the most trusted health professionals in the U.S., and CVS Pharmacy recognizes that its store-based colleagues are key differentiators in delivering high-quality care. By maintaining a strong network of physical stores staffed by knowledgeable and compassionate pharmacy teams, CVS is doubling down on what customers value most: trust, convenience, and access to care.
The small format stores will prioritize face-to-face interaction, with pharmacists playing an integral role in supporting patient health. Whether it’s a conversation about side effects, a recommendation for over-the-counter symptom relief, or assistance with setting up automatic prescription refills, the human touch remains central to the CVS Pharmacy experience.
Supporting Underserved and Rural Communities
The pharmacy industry, like much of health care, faces challenges related to geographic disparities. Many rural and low-income areas lack adequate access to pharmacies, making it difficult for residents to obtain necessary medications or receive timely care. This “pharmacy desert” problem is one CVS is actively working to address.
By placing smaller pharmacies in strategically selected locations — particularly in underserved or lower-density areas — CVS is helping to close the access gap. These stores are designed to be nimble and efficient while still delivering critical health services. Importantly, the company is not merely reacting to market trends, but proactively identifying areas where its presence can make a measurable difference in community health outcomes.
This commitment reflects a larger philosophy: that health care should be a right, not a privilege, and that location should never be a barrier to receiving the care one needs.
Investing in the Future
The launch of small format pharmacies is part of a broader investment in the future of CVS Pharmacy. It reflects the company’s vision of health care that is local, personal, and accessible — supported by smart digital tools, but rooted in human connection.
From modernizing stores and expanding services to enhancing staff training and leveraging technology to improve prescription accuracy and adherence, CVS is working on multiple fronts to deliver a best-in-class pharmacy experience. Whether it’s introducing more efficient workflows behind the counter or improving inventory systems to ensure the availability of critical medications, these innovations are designed to benefit both customers and employees.
Moreover, CVS Pharmacy continues to create opportunities for its workforce to grow and thrive. Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and store colleagues play a pivotal role in the company’s success, and their ability to build relationships with patients is a cornerstone of CVS’s community-first philosophy.
A Bright and Healthier Tomorrow
CVS Pharmacy’s future is anchored in a simple but powerful idea: be there for people when and where they need care. The new small format stores are the latest step in realizing that vision — bringing pharmacy services closer to home for more people across the country, and doing so with a high degree of intentionality, cultural awareness, and respect for local needs.
As CVS continues to evolve and innovate, the company remains deeply committed to helping people on their path to better health. Whether it’s through a small, focused pharmacy on a quiet corner or a bustling health hub in a major metropolitan area, CVS Pharmacy is there — ready to serve, support, and make healthier happen.
