Walmart
An alternative to high-tech upstarts, Walmart is bulking up its omnichannel healthcare offerings.
Rebrand. Finalizing its post-acquisition transition, telehealth platform MeMD has become Walmart Health Virtual Care. Available 24/7, the online platform offers urgent care, men/women’s health services, talk therapy, and virtual diabetes care.
Expand. Building out brick-and-mortar, Walmart Health added five more in-person clinics, notching two dozen locations across Florida, Arkansas, Georgia, and Illinois. Bolstering its capabilities, the retailer announced a partnership with electronic medical records company Epic.
Recruit. With over 4,700+ stores across the US, Walmart announced plans to hire 50,000 workers, many in health and wellness, by the end of Q1. However, it reported overstaffing this May.
Further diversifying its offerings, the retailer joined forces with Quest Diagnostics for DTC health tests; it also provides caregiver support and vitamin subscriptions via its online wellness hub.
Outside the Big Box
As consumers prioritize well-being, retailers across America are moving in on healthcare as leading telehealth startups take a tumble.
- CVS Health launched its own virtual primary care platform.
- Walgreens debuted a clinical trial business to increase access and diversity.
- Rite Aid teamed up with rural healthcare platform Homeward for senior care.
- Meanwhile, Amazon has been making progress with telehealth, prescriptions, wearables, and more.
Elsewhere, Apple’s still keen on reimagining healthcare, while high-performance health companies like Forward look to build the hybrid doctor’s office of the future.
Punchline: With a massive national footprint, retailers have a head start in the race for healthcare — 90% of Americans live within 15 miles of a Walmart. Promising affordability and accessibility, Big Boxes are uniquely positioned to provide care at scale.
