Retail Healthcare News

These views don’t surprise me. Doctors are naturally nervous about the rapid growth of retail clinics. About a dozen companies have opened some 400 shops with slogans that range from catchy, such as “You’re sick, we’re quick” (MinuteClinic), to direct, such as “We Make Quality Care Affordable and Convenient” (QuickHealth). According to industry experts, the number of clinics is expected to grow to over 700 this year. Wal-Mart began dabbling in retail health in 2005, when it opened 76 clinics. It says that over the next three to five years, that number could expand to 2,000.

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I’m of two minds about Wal-Mart’s (NYSE: WMT) impending move into health care. The retailer announced plans last week to open co-branded health clinics in its Supercenter stores, starting this April. Is this a great new growth strategy that will propel the company to finally fulfill its true potential? Or is it just another me-too reaction to competitive pressure from the likes of CVS (NYSE: CVS) and Walgreen (NYSE: WAG)?

Patient history

Utilizing third-party partners has helped Wal-Mart move into new business segments in the past. Its jewelry and shoe departments were originally leased operations, with Wal-Mart simply collecting rent for the use of space in stores. Eventually, as the company figured out how to run these businesses, Wal-Mart phased out these partners and took over. Read the rest of this entry »