Tops Friendly Markets to close 27 pharmacies

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. — Tops Friendly Markets, a grocer in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania and western Vermont, is closing pharmacy departments in 27 of its 162 locations this month and transferring pharmacy prescriptions and inventory to five CVS/Pharmacy and 22 Rite Aid locations near each affected store.



The transaction accounts for less than 20% of the company’s prescription volume, and Tops stated that it will continue to serve customers from 52 pharmacy locations within its network of stores and will include new pharmacies in selected supermarkets as part of the company’s growth and expansion.



“Tops does not have a one size fits all approach to our stores, which means our neighborhood locations vary greatly by size and offering,” stated Frank Curci, Tops’ chairman, president and CEO. “Space inside some of our supermarkets is at a premium and some of our locations are not filling enough prescriptions to make the most efficient use of our resources. A business decision was made to close select pharmacy departments.”



In the available pharmacy spaces, Tops will continue expanding its offerings in health and beauty products, fresh food, deli and other product areas.



“This transition allows us to better focus on what Tops does best: providing our customers with the widest selection of what they want most, at the price that gives them the most value,” Curci added. “Across our stores, customers tell us they love and want more options that busy, healthy families need today like fresh produce, prepared foods, natural and organics, and other health and wellness options. We are committed to Monroe County and the greater Rochester area, and this transition will allow us to reinvest back into our stores and give customers more of what they want from Tops.”