Core Viewpoint - The performance of seven listed chain pharmacies in the third quarter of this year shows a mixed picture, with some achieving growth in both revenue and net profit, while others experienced declines. The overall trend indicates a slowdown in store expansion and a focus on improving quality and efficiency in the industry [1][12]. Revenue and Profit Summary - Dazhenglin reported revenue of 20.068 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.71%, and a net profit of 1.081 billion yuan, up 25.97% [2][3]. - Yifeng Pharmacy achieved revenue of 17.286 billion yuan, a slight increase of 0.39%, with a net profit of 1.225 billion yuan, growing by 10.27% [2][3]. - Laobaixing's revenue decreased by 1% to 16.07 billion yuan, with a net profit of 529 million yuan, down 16.11%, the largest decline among the seven pharmacies [2][4]. - Yixin Tang's revenue was 13.001 billion yuan, down 4.33%, and net profit was 269 million yuan, down 8.17% [2][4]. - Jianzhijia reported revenue of 6.549 billion yuan, a decrease of 2.8%, and net profit of 101 million yuan, down 0.2% [2][5]. - Shuyupingmin achieved revenue of 7.446 billion yuan, up 5.19%, and net profit of 109 million yuan, a significant increase of 927.37% [2][6]. - Huaren Health, listed in March 2023, reported revenue of 3.892 billion yuan, a growth of 19.06%, and net profit of 157 million yuan, up 45.21% [2][6]. Store Expansion and Market Trends - The rapid expansion of chain pharmacies has slowed, with many companies pausing new store openings. The total number of pharmacies in the country decreased by 0.5% in the third quarter of 2024, marking the first quarterly decline in recent years [7][8]. - Dazhenglin had 16,833 stores by the end of the reporting period, with a significant number of closures [8][10]. - Laobaixing had 15,492 stores, closing 304 and opening 756, while Yifeng Pharmacy had 14,666 stores, closing 440 [9][10]. - Yixin Tang closed more stores than it opened, with 430 closures and only 288 new stores [9][10]. - Shuyupingmin made strategic acquisitions, adding 754 stores in its core market of Shandong, while Huaren Health also expanded its store count through new openings and acquisitions [11][12]. Industry Challenges and Adjustments - The industry is facing multiple pressures, including regulatory changes and increased competition, leading to a decline in profitability for many chain pharmacies. Companies are focusing on closing underperforming stores and improving operational efficiency [12]. - The shift towards online and offline integration is expected to accelerate, with larger listed chains likely to benefit from increased market concentration [12].

CVS has finished buying customer prescription files from hundreds of closed Rite Aid drugstores and is now running 63 of the defunct chain’s locations. The company said Wednesday that it is operating former Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs stores in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. It also has transferred customer prescription files from 626 pharmacies in 15 states to nearby CVS locations. CVS Health did not say how much it spent on the stores and prescription files. Rite Aid recently announced on its website th ...