Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA): Analyse de Pestle [Jan-2025 MISE À JOUR]

Dans le paysage dynamique des soins de santé et de la vente au détail, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) se dresse à une intersection critique des forces du marché mondial, de l'innovation technologique et de la complexité réglementaire. Cette analyse complète du pilotage dévoile les défis et opportunités à multiples facettes auxquelles sont confrontés l'un des plus grands géants du commerce de détail de la pharmacie et des soins de santé au monde, en explorant comment les changements politiques, les pressions économiques, les transformations sociétales, les progrès technologiques, les cadres juridiques et les considérations environnementales sont de nouveau Écosystème commercial interconnecté et en évolution rapide.

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs politiques

Les changements de politique de santé aux États-Unis ont un impact sur la pharmacie et la vente au détail de soins de santé

La loi sur la réduction de l'inflation de 2022 permet à Medicare de négocier directement les prix des médicaments sur ordonnance, les premières négociations commençant en 2026 pour 10 médicaments sélectionnés. D'ici 2029, le nombre de médicaments négociables s'étendra à 20 médicaments par an.

Impact politique	Effet financier estimé
Négociations de prix de médicament Medicare	Potentiel de 25 à 50 milliards de dollars réduction des revenus de l'industrie d'ici 2029
Plafonds de coût de médicament	2 000 $ maximum annuel pour les bénéficiaires de Medicare Part D

Changements réglementaires potentiels dans la tarification et la distribution des médicaments sur ordonnance

Les propositions de réforme des prix des médicaments de l'administration Biden visent à:

• Développez la capacité de Medicare à négocier les prix des médicaments
• Mettre en œuvre les pénalités de tarification basées sur l'inflation
• Augmenter la transparence des prix pharmaceutiques

Politiques commerciales internationales affectant les chaînes d'approvisionnement pharmaceutique mondiales

Les tensions commerciales américaines-chinoises continuent d'avoir un impact sur les chaînes d'approvisionnement pharmaceutique, avec environ 80% des ingrédients pharmaceutiques actifs provenant de fabricants étrangers.

Impact de la politique commerciale	Pourcentage de perturbation de la chaîne d'approvisionnement
Restrictions commerciales américaines-chinoises	15 à 20% de perturbation de la chaîne d'approvisionnement potentielle
Incitations de fabrication intérieure	35 milliards de dollars d'investissements fédéraux proposés

Les tensions politiques perturbent potentiellement les opérations commerciales internationales

Les tensions géopolitiques sur les marchés clés ont un impact sur les opérations internationales de Walgreens, en particulier en Europe et au Moyen-Orient.

• Implications du Brexit pour la distribution pharmaceutique britannique
• Sanctions affectant les achats pharmaceutiques internationaux
• Défis de conformité réglementaire dans plusieurs juridictions

Modifications de la politique de remboursement de Medicare et Medicaid

Les changements de politique récents comprennent:

Politique de remboursement	Impact financier
Medicare Part D Restructuration	7,4 milliards de dollars d'économies prévues pour le gouvernement d'ici 2031
Rebout de médicaments sur ordonnance Medicaid	Pourcentage de remise accrue de 23,1% à 23,8%

Mesures de conformité réglementaire clés:

• Exigences de transparence des prix des médicaments sur ordonnance
• Une surveillance fédérale améliorée des gestionnaires de prestations de pharmacie
• Augmentation des exigences de rapports pour les prix pharmaceutiques

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs économiques

Inflation des coûts des soins de santé en cours aux États-Unis

Les coûts des soins de santé aux États-Unis ont augmenté à 4,5 billions de dollars en 2022, ce qui représente un taux de croissance annuel de 4,1%. Les dépenses de médicaments sur ordonnance ont atteint 378,0 milliards de dollars en 2021, avec un taux de croissance annuel de 7,8%.

Année	Dépenses de santé totales	Dépenses de médicaments sur ordonnance
2021	4,3 billions de dollars	378,0 milliards de dollars
2022	4,5 billions de dollars	407,5 milliards de dollars

Les fluctuations des dépenses de consommation dans les secteurs pharmaceutique et de vente au détail

Walgreens Boots Alliance a déclaré un chiffre d'affaires total de 307,4 milliards de dollars au cours de l'exercice 2022, avec Revenus du segment de la pharmacie américaine à 196,6 milliards de dollars.

Impact de la récession économique potentielle sur les dépenses de santé

Au cours de la récession de 2008, les dépenses de santé ont diminué de 1,1%. En 2020, les dépenses de santé ont diminué de 2,0% en raison des impacts économiques pandémiques Covid-19.

Volatilité du taux de change affectant les segments commerciaux internationaux

Le segment international de Walgreens Boots Alliance (Boots UK) a déclaré 5,2 milliards de livres sterling de revenus pour 2022. Les fluctuations de la change ont eu un impact sur la performance du segment international.

Devise	2022 Volatilité du taux de change
USD / GBP	± 8,3% de fluctuation
USD / EUR	± 6,7% de fluctuation

Hausse des coûts opérationnels et des pressions inflationnistes

Le taux d'inflation américain en 2022 était de 8,0%. Walgreens Boots Alliance a rapporté Dépenses d'exploitation de 81,9 milliards de dollars au cours de l'exercice 2022, reflétant une augmentation des coûts opérationnels.

Catégorie de dépenses	2022 Montant	Changement d'une année à l'autre
Coût des marchandises vendues	225,5 milliards de dollars	+6.2%
Dépenses d'exploitation	81,9 milliards de dollars	+5.7%

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs sociaux

La population vieillissante augmente la demande de services de santé

D'ici 2030, 1 résidents américains sur 5 sera l'âge de la retraite (65+). Walgreens dessert quotidiennement 9,2 millions de clients de pharmacie. 76,4 millions de baby-boomers représentent un segment important de marché des soins de santé.

Groupe d'âge	Pourcentage de population	Dépenses de santé
65-74 ans	16.9%	19 098 $ par personne par an
75-84 ans	9.1%	28 334 $ par personne par an
85 ans et plus	2.1%	41 385 $ par personne par an

Préférence croissante des consommateurs pour les solutions de soins de santé numériques

La plateforme Walgreens Digital Healthcare a atteint 130 millions d'utilisateurs actifs en 2023. Les visites de télésanté ont augmenté de 154% depuis 2019.

Service numérique	Taux d'adoption des utilisateurs
Utilisateurs d'applications mobiles	68,3 millions
Recharges sur ordonnance en ligne	42% du total des prescriptions
Consultations de soins virtuels	3,7 millions de consultations annuelles

Modification des tendances de la santé des consommateurs et du style de bien-être

Le marché du bien-être prévu pour atteindre 7,6 billions de dollars d'ici 2030. Les ventes de produits de bien-être Walgreens ont augmenté de 22,3% en 2023.

Accent accru sur les soins de santé préventifs et la médecine personnalisée

Walgreens administre 25% de tous les vaccins Covid-19 aux États-Unis. Le marché des médicaments personnalisés devrait atteindre 796 milliards de dollars d'ici 2028.

Changements démographiques dans les modèles de consommation de soins de santé

Les milléniaux et la génération Z représentent 46% des consommateurs de soins de santé. Segments de consommateurs multiculturels augmentant à 3,4% par an.

Segment démographique	Dépenses de santé	Préférence de santé numérique
Milléniaux	4 563 $ par habitant	82% préfèrent les solutions de santé numériques
Gen Z	3 879 $ par habitant	91% utilisent des technologies de santé mobile

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs technologiques

Expansion des services de télésanté et de pharmacie numérique

Walgreens a signalé 560 emplacements de services de santé numérique à partir de 2023. La société a investi 1,2 milliard de dollars dans des plateformes de santé numériques. Les visites de télésanté ont augmenté de 3 500% pendant la pandémie Covid-19.

Métrique de santé numérique	2022 données	2023 données
Emplacements de la télésanté	420	560
Volumes de prescription numérique	215 millions	267 millions
Utilisateurs d'applications mobiles	45 millions	52 millions

Intégration de l'intelligence artificielle dans les diagnostics des soins de santé

Walgreens a alloué 350 millions de dollars à la mise en œuvre de la technologie de l'IA en 2023. La société s'est associée à 3 principaux fournisseurs de technologies de santé de l'IA.

Catégorie d'investissement en IA	Montant d'investissement
Diagnostics de santé AI	175 millions de dollars
Recherche d'apprentissage automatique	85 millions de dollars
Infrastructure d'IA	90 millions de dollars

Analyse avancée des données pour les recommandations de soins de santé personnalisés

Walgreens a traité 1,9 milliard de points de données des patients en 2023. La plate-forme d'analyse de santé prédictive de l'entreprise couvre 67 millions de profils de patients uniques.

Investissement dans les plateformes de gestion des ordonnances numériques

L'investissement en gestion des ordonnances numériques a atteint 275 millions de dollars en 2023. La plate-forme traite 85% des recharges de prescription numériquement.

Métrique de prescription numérique	2022 Performance	Performance de 2023
Pourcentage de recharge numérique	78%	85%
Investissement de la plate-forme	225 millions de dollars	275 millions de dollars

Améliorations de la cybersécurité pour la protection des données des patients

Walgreens a investi 220 millions de dollars dans les infrastructures de cybersécurité en 2023. La société maintient la conformité HIPAA dans 9 277 emplacements de pharmacie.

Métrique de la cybersécurité	2023 données
Investissement en cybersécurité	220 millions de dollars
Lieux de conformité	9,277
Taux de prévention des violations de données	99.8%

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs juridiques

Conformité aux réglementations complexes sur les soins de santé

En 2023, Walgreens Boots Alliance a payé 345 millions de dollars pour régler les litiges liés aux opioïdes dans plusieurs États. La société a fait face à 5 500 réclamations juridiques liées aux pratiques de distribution des opioïdes.

Corps réglementaire	Exigence de conformité	Coût annuel de conformité
FDA	Sécurité de la chaîne d'approvisionnement des médicaments sur ordonnance	78,2 millions de dollars
brigade des stupéfiants	Suivi de substances contrôlées	62,5 millions de dollars
Hipaa	Protection des données des patients	45,3 millions de dollars

Risques potentiels de litiges pharmaceutiques et de responsabilité

En 2023, Walgreens a été confronté à une exposition juridique estimée à 1,2 milliard de dollars dans les cas de responsabilité pharmaceutique en cours.

Exigences en matière de droit de la confidentialité pour les informations sur la santé des patients

Walgreens a alloué 92,7 millions de dollars en 2023 pour l'infrastructure de conformité et de protection des données HIPAA.

Règlement sur la vie privée	Métrique de conformité	Investissement
Hipaa	Cryptage des données des patients	37,4 millions de dollars
Lois sur la vie privée des États	Logiciel de conformité	22,6 millions de dollars
Formation de protection des données	Programmes des employés	12,9 millions de dollars

Considérations antitrust dans la consolidation du marché des soins de santé

Walgreens exploite 9 021 pharmacies de vente au détail, avec un examen antitrust potentiel dans la concentration du marché.

Défis réglementaires dans la distribution pharmaceutique internationale

Walgreens opère dans 9 pays, faisant face à 67,3 millions de dollars en frais de conformité réglementaire internationaux en 2023.

Pays	Défi réglementaire	Dépenses de conformité
Royaume-Uni	Réglementation de la pharmacie	18,5 millions de dollars
Allemagne	Lois sur la distribution de médicaments	15,7 millions de dollars
Irlande	Conformité aux soins de santé	12,3 millions de dollars

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs environnementaux

Initiatives d'emballage durables dans la vente au détail pharmaceutique

Walgreens s'est engagé à Emballage 100% recyclable, réutilisable ou compostable d'ici 2025. Les métriques de réduction des emballages actuelles comprennent:

Type d'emballage	Pourcentage de réduction	Impact annuel
Emballage en plastique	22%	1 247 tonnes métriques
Emballage en papier	18%	873 tonnes métriques

Réduire l'empreinte carbone dans les chaînes d'approvisionnement pharmaceutique

Cibles de réduction des émissions de carbone pour la chaîne d'approvisionnement de la WBA:

Année	Cible de réduction de CO2	Réduction réelle
2022	15%	12.4%
2023	20%	17.6%

Efficacité énergétique dans les opérations de vente au détail et de distribution

Métriques de consommation d'énergie et d'efficacité:

Source d'énergie	Consommation annuelle	Pourcentage renouvelable
Électricité	1,2 million de MWh	34%
Gaz naturel	487 000 MMBTU	12%

Gestion des déchets dans le cycle de vie des produits pharmaceutiques

Statistiques de gestion des déchets pharmaceutiques:

Catégorie de déchets	Volume annuel	Taux de recyclage
Déchets pharmaceutiques	2 340 tonnes métriques	68%
Déchets d'emballage médical	1 876 tonnes métriques	55%

Green Technology Investments dans les infrastructures de santé

Green Technology Investment Breakdown:

Zone technologique	Montant d'investissement	ROI attendu
Infrastructure solaire	42 millions de dollars	7.2%
Équipement économe en énergie	28 millions de dollars	5.6%

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) - PESTLE Analysis: Social factors

Aging U.S. population drives higher, more stable demand for prescription and chronic care services.

You can't ignore the demographics; the U.S. population is getting older, and that's a rock-solid driver for Walgreens Boots Alliance's core pharmacy business. By 2025, the population aged 65 and over is projected to reach 62.7 million, representing 18.6% of the total U.S. population. This aging cohort requires more stable, long-term care for chronic conditions.

The Chronic Care Management Solution Market alone, which directly addresses this need, is valued at $20.96 billion in 2025. The U.S. Chronic Disease Management market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.80% from 2025 to 2034. This isn't a temporary spike; it's a fundamental shift in healthcare demand.

Consumer shift toward convenience, prioritizing local pharmacies as holistic healthcare hubs.

The traditional pharmacy model is evolving into a holistic healthcare hub, and convenience is the key differentiator. Consumers still value the local pharmacy, but they want more services and less waiting. Walgreens Boots Alliance is responding by using automation to free up pharmacist time for patient care, which is smart.

For example, the company's micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs) are a massive operational lever. These centers are projected to reduce the company's working capital by $1.1 billion by 2025. This efficiency allows pharmacists to spend more time on clinical services, which is what patients are increasingly demanding. Approximately 40% of a store's total prescription volume is managed by MFCs at locations they service, directly enabling this shift. Walgreens Boots Alliance is currently servicing over 4,500 stores with MFCs and plans to increase that number to closer to 6,000 in the next 12 months.

Growing interest in health and wellness fuels the global wellness market.

Honestally, the global focus on prevention and lifestyle is a huge opportunity beyond just filling prescriptions. The global health and wellness market was estimated at a staggering $6.87 trillion in 2025, with the U.S. market alone accounting for an estimated $2.31 trillion. This is much larger than the old $5.6 trillion figure you might still see quoted.

Walgreens Boots Alliance is positioned to capture this spending through its retail and digital channels. The company's projected online sales are expected to hit $10.38 billion in 2025, which makes it a top online retailer in the Health & Beauty category. This shows consumers are comfortable buying their wellness supplements, over-the-counter (OTC) products, and beauty items from a trusted pharmacy brand.

Increased patient demand for personalized care and digital health access post-pandemic.

The pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital health by about five years. Now, patients expect a seamless, personalized experience. The healthcare e-commerce market is projected to rise to $499.71 billion in 2025, showing a rapid CAGR of 17.2%. That's a huge shift in how care is accessed.

Walgreens Boots Alliance is clearly leaning into this trend:

• Their virtual care service, as of January 2025, reached 30 states, covering nearly 90% of the U.S. population.
• About 70% of all consumers now use health tech-things like wearables, telehealth, or online prescription services-on a monthly basis.
• The company is leveraging digital tools like virtual and digital pharmacy check-ins to cut down on friction and enhance patient experience.

The future of care is digital-first, and WBA's investments in this area are defintely critical to maintaining market share against pure-play e-commerce competitors.

Social Factor Metric	2025 Fiscal Year Data/Projection	Implication for WBA
U.S. Population Aged 65+	Projected 62.7 million (18.6% of total U.S. population)	Guarantees stable, high-volume demand for prescription and Medicare-related services.
Global Health & Wellness Market Size	Estimated $6.87 trillion	Massive retail opportunity for OTC, vitamins, and beauty products beyond pharmacy.
U.S. Chronic Care Management Solution Market Size	$20.96 billion	Directly validates the strategic focus on primary and chronic care services (VillageMD).
WBA Projected Online Sales	$10.38 billion	Shows strong competitive position in the high-growth Health & Beauty e-commerce sector.
WBA Virtual Care Service Coverage (Jan 2025)	Reached 30 states, available to nearly 90% of the U.S. population	Addresses the post-pandemic patient demand for digital-first, accessible care.
WBA Micro-Fulfillment Center (MFC) Store Count Target	Increase to closer to 6,000 stores serviced in next 12 months	Improves in-store pharmacist capacity for high-value patient consultations and clinical services.

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) - PESTLE Analysis: Technological factors

E-commerce is a growth engine, with online sales projected to hit $10.38 billion in 2025.

You can't talk about retail growth without talking digital, and Walgreens Boots Alliance is defintely leaning into that. The shift from physical footprint to omnichannel (selling across all channels) is critical, and the numbers show it's working. Digital Commerce 360 projects that Walgreens' online sales will reach a staggering $10.38 billion in fiscal year 2025. That's a massive revenue stream that helps offset the strategic reduction of underperforming physical stores.

This isn't just about selling more beauty products online; it's about creating a seamless experience. Customers expect to order online and pick up in-store, or have prescriptions delivered. This focus on digital convenience is the only way to compete with giants like Amazon and CVS Health Corporation.

Micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs) use automation to drive $1.1 billion in working capital reduction by 2025.

The real efficiency play for Walgreens Boots Alliance sits in the Micro-Fulfillment Centers (MFCs). These aren't just big warehouses; they are highly automated, robotic hubs that centralize prescription filling. By moving routine tasks out of the store, the company is fundamentally restructuring the pharmacist's role-shifting them from pill-counter to patient-care provider.

The investment is substantial, but the payoff is clear: the MFC network is expected to reduce the company's working capital by $1.1 billion by the end of fiscal year 2025. This is a direct injection of capital efficiency. Plus, the high-tech facilities have already yielded a 24% year-over-year increase in shipped volumes, proving the model scales quickly. As of May 2025, Walgreens' network of 12 MFCs supports over 5,000 stores across the country.

Here's the quick math on the MFC impact:

Metric	2025 Data Point	Strategic Impact
MFC Network Size	12 facilities	National scale and redundancy for prescription fulfillment.
Stores Supported	Over 5,000 stores	MFCs manage approximately 40% of a store's total prescription volume at serviced locations.
Working Capital Reduction	$1.1 billion (by FY2025)	Frees up capital for investment in healthcare services like VillageMD.
Shipped Volume Growth	24% year-over-year increase	Direct measure of automation efficiency and throughput improvement.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for better inventory forecasting and supply-chain efficiency.

AI is the invisible hand guiding inventory. Walgreens Boots Alliance is leveraging predictive data science to move beyond simple historical sales data for demand planning. They've partnered with companies like antuit.ai and implemented solutions like Zebra Workcloud Forecasting & Analysis to integrate external data streams.

This means the system considers everything from local weather patterns to social media trends to predict demand for things like cold medicine or sunblock. That level of granularity is what cuts down on stockouts and waste. The AI-powered system is now improving forecasting accuracy across more than 20,000+ SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) per location and managing 180 million distribution points. That's a massive, complex problem simplified by machine learning, and it drives tangible supply-chain efficiency.

Expansion of virtual care services, now available across 30 U.S. states.

The strategic pivot to healthcare services hinges on technology, and virtual care is the front door. Walgreens Virtual Healthcare offers on-demand consultations with clinicians via chat or video for common conditions, which is crucial for patient convenience and relieving the burden on in-store pharmacists. As of October 2024, the service expanded its reach to 30 states.

The initial launch in just nine states already covered nearly half of the U.S. population, so the expansion to 30 states represents a significant jump in accessibility. The service is direct-to-consumer, with most chat visits priced at an affordable $33 out-of-pocket, making it a competitive, convenient option in the rapidly growing telehealth market.

• Connect with a clinician via chat or video.
• Treats common health concerns like flu, UTIs, and men's/women's health issues.
• Offers lab services for wellness and STD screenings.
• Chat visits are typically $33 out-of-pocket.

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) - PESTLE Analysis: Legal factors

The legal landscape for Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) in 2025 is defined by massive legacy litigation costs, stringent data compliance, and the legal complexities of a major corporate transition to private ownership. This environment demands a sharp focus on risk mitigation and regulatory adherence, especially concerning controlled substances and patient data privacy.

Facing substantial legal payments, including $252 million in Q3 FY25, primarily for opioid settlements.

Walgreens continues to face the financial fallout from its role in the U.S. opioid crisis, translating into significant cash outflows in the 2025 fiscal year. The company's Q3 FY25 results, for the period ending May 31, 2025, specifically cited a negative impact on operating cash flow due to legal payments.

Operating cash flow in Q3 FY25 was negatively impacted by $252 million in legal payments, with the majority tied to opioid-related settlements. This is part of a broader, multi-year financial commitment. For the first nine months of fiscal year 2025, total legal payments, including those related to the opioid crisis and other matters like Everly, amounted to approximately $1.4 billion. This massive cash drain is a critical factor in the company's financial strategy and its recent decision to go private.

A major development in Q2 FY25 was the settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and other federal agencies regarding allegations of illegally filling millions of invalid opioid prescriptions and submitting false claims. The agreement requires Walgreens to pay up to $350 million, comprising a $300 million base payment and a contingent $50 million if the company is sold or merged before 2032. The base amount is to be paid over six years, with 4% annual interest, and an immediate payment of $20 million was made.

Here's the quick math on the cash flow impact:

Legal Payment Type	FY25 Period	Amount (in millions)	Primary Focus
Legal Payments Impacting Operating Cash Flow	Q3 FY25	$252	Opioid-related settlements
Total Legal Payments Impacting Operating Cash Flow	First Nine Months FY25	$1,400	Opioid and Everly settlements
DOJ Opioid Settlement (Total)	Announced Q2 FY25	Up to $350	Federal Controlled Substances Act & False Claims Act allegations

Strict Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state-level data privacy laws govern patient data.

As a major healthcare provider, Walgreens is a 'covered entity' under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), meaning it must rigorously protect all Protected Health Information (PHI). The regulatory risk here is constant, and non-compliance can lead to substantial penalties and civil litigation.

For example, a Marion County jury awarded a woman $1.44 million after finding Walgreens and one of its pharmacists violated her privacy by improperly accessing and sharing her prescription history. This highlights that the risk is not just from external cyber threats but from internal controls and employee training. Plus, state-level laws, which can often be more stringent than federal HIPAA rules, add another layer of complexity to data management.

• Maintain patient data confidentiality under HIPAA.
• Implement robust security against cyberattacks and internal misuse.
• Navigate varied state-level privacy protections and disclosure rules.

The Sycamore Partners acquisition required shareholder and regulatory approval, leading to the company's delisting from Nasdaq.

The company's transition to a private entity, following its acquisition by Sycamore Partners, was a significant legal and regulatory event in 2025. The deal, which closed on August 28, 2025, required and received full shareholder and regulatory approvals, which is a complex legal undertaking involving multiple jurisdictions and antitrust considerations.

The immediate legal consequence of the acquisition's closing was the delisting of Walgreens Boots Alliance's common stock from the Nasdaq Stock Market, ending its tenure as a publicly traded company. This move fundamentally changes the company's legal obligations, removing it from the constant scrutiny and disclosure requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Shareholders received a fixed cash payment of $11.45 per share, along with a non-transferable right to receive up to an additional $3.00 per share from the future monetization of its interests in VillageMD.

Subject to securities class action litigation alleging misleading statements on regulatory compliance and prescription revenue.

Before the acquisition closed, Walgreens was actively defending itself against shareholder lawsuits. A securities class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on behalf of investors who purchased stock between April 2, 2020, and January 16, 2025.

The core legal allegation is that the company's public statements were materially false and misleading because they failed to disclose that:

• Walgreens continued to engage in widespread violations of federal law governing prescription dispensation.
• Revenues from prescription sales were unsustainable due to deriving from unlawful conduct.
• The company faced a heightened risk of regulatory scrutiny and civil liability.

The lawsuits specifically tie the alleged misleading statements to the company's struggles in its pharmacy segment and the financial strain of opioid-related settlements, which sent the stock price into a severe decline. This litigation, though potentially impacted by the privatization, underscores the legal risk tied to regulatory compliance failures and their direct impact on financial reporting.

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) - PESTLE Analysis: Environmental factors

You need to know where Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.'s environmental efforts stand right now because consumer and regulatory pressure on carbon and waste is only intensifying. The short takeaway is that WBA is very close to its near-term emissions goal and has hit a key sourcing milestone, but the harder work of deep supply chain decarbonization and plastic reduction is still ahead. You should view their 29% carbon reduction as a strong signal, but watch the shift to physically-certified sustainable materials.

Reduced Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 29% toward its 30% reduction goal from the 2019 baseline.

Walgreens Boots Alliance is defintely on track to meet its absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 global carbon emissions reduction target of 30% by fiscal 2030, which is a major commitment. As of the end of fiscal 2024, the company has achieved a 29% reduction from its 2019 baseline. This means they only need another 1 percentage point reduction over the next six years to hit the target, which is a very manageable pace.

Here's the quick math on the absolute reduction: Gross Scope 1 and 2 location-based emissions were 1,962 thousand metric tonnes of CO2e in the fiscal 2019 baseline year. By fiscal 2024, this figure dropped to 1,474 thousand metric tonnes of CO2e. This reduction is driven by energy efficiency measures like LED lighting initiatives and the use of electric fleet vehicles in their operations.

GHG Emissions Category	Fiscal 2024 ('000 metric tonnes CO2e)	Fiscal 2019 Baseline ('000 metric tonnes CO2e)	% Change (2024 vs. 2019)
Scope 1 (Direct)	284	313	(9)%
Scope 2 Location-Based (Indirect Energy)	1,151	1,617	(29)%
Gross Scope 1 and 2 Location-Based	1,474	1,962	(25)%

What this estimate hides is the complexity of reducing Scope 3 emissions (value chain emissions), which are a much larger part of the total carbon footprint for a retailer. Still, hitting the Scope 1 and 2 goal early frees up capital and focus for those more challenging supply chain initiatives.

Boots' in-store Recycle at Boots program diverted 255 metric tonnes of plastic waste from landfill.

The Boots' in-store recycling program, 'Recycle at Boots,' is a concrete example of circular economy efforts in action, which is important for customer engagement. The program targets hard-to-recycle items like toothpaste tubes and cosmetic packaging that local municipal programs often reject. The latest data shows this program has successfully diverted 255 metric tonnes of plastic waste from landfill.

It's a smart move because it helps customers feel good about their consumption. The program is now available in 800 stores across the UK and has collected and recycled over 5 million products since its launch. This scale is crucial; it moves beyond a pilot project to a significant operational commitment.

Achieved 100% Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)-certified palm oil sourcing.

Walgreens Boots Alliance has achieved 100% Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)-certified palm oil sourcing for its owned brands, utilizing a mix of physical certification and credits (an offset system). This is a critical ethical sourcing win, especially in beauty and personal care products.

The commitment is not uniform across the business yet, though. Boots UK and the Global Brands portfolio (which includes No7 Beauty Company) have maintained 100% RSPO-certified palm oil and derivatives since 2014, but these entities represent between 50-60% of WBA's total palm oil usage. The next step is a focus on physical certification:

• Boots and No7 Beauty Company are working toward a target of 75% physically certified palm oil and derivatives.
• Physical certification is the gold standard, ensuring the palm oil comes from certified sustainable sources, not just offset credits.

Focus on sustainable packaging and ethical sourcing across its owned brands like No7 Beauty Company.

The owned brands portfolio, including No7 Beauty Company, is a major lever for WBA's environmental strategy. The company is actively working to reduce plastic and improve recyclability across its product lines. For Walgreens brand products, the 2030 goals include a 30% reduction in plastic packaging and making all packaging recyclable.

Specific, actionable examples show this is more than just talk:

• Walgreens is eliminating carbon black plastic from its branded packaging, which is hard for recycling facility sorting machines to detect.
• Switching to white plastic caps on just seven Walgreens brand products is projected to improve the recyclability of 13 tons of plastic.
• No7 Beauty Company has a bold 2030 goal to halve the overall environmental impact of new products compared to 2019, specifically targeting reduced single-use plastic and cutting emissions.
• Approximately 4,000 U.S.-owned brand items now carry a How2Recycle™ label, helping customers sort packaging correctly.

This focus on packaging design is smart; it addresses a major consumer pain point and directly impacts the company's waste footprint. You can see the shift from abstract goals to concrete design changes.