Walgreens: From Pharamacy Giant to a $90b Crash
The collapse of Walgreens is one of the most instructive strategic failures of our generation—a $90 billion lesson in what happens when leverage replaces innovation. This isn't just another corporate autopsy. It's a masterclass in recognizing the red flags that destroy even the most established institutions: debt-fueled global expansion that lost strategic focus, poorly executed healthcare pivots that copied competitors without understanding the fundamentals, and ethical failures that shattered a century of public trust. What makes this story essential viewing for strategy professionals isn't the schadenfreude—it's the pattern recognition. You'll see how a company that pioneered satellite-connected pharmacy networks and revolutionized retail somehow forgot the very principles that made it great. Watch this during your next coffee break. No implementation pressure. No homework. Just 16 minutes of strategic storytelling that will sharpen your instincts and add valuable frameworks to your arsenal. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - The $90 Billion Question 1:14 - The Innovation Era: How Walgreens Built an Empire 3:14 - Fatal Misstep #1: The Alliance Boots Merger 4:26 - While Walgreens Stumbled, CVS Made a Genius Move 5:03 - The Amazon Threat: Death by Convenience 6:05 - Fatal Misstep #2: The Village MD Healthcare Gamble 7:55 - The Opioid Crisis: How Trust Became Liability 10:32 - The Perfect Storm: When Everything Converged 12:13 - The Final Act: Private Equity Fire Sale 14:13 - The Real Reason Walgreens Failed 15:17 - The Ultimate Business Truth: Leverage vs Innovation
Not Rated Yet