Healthcare Insights
How many retail clinics are in the U.S?
Across the healthcare space, patients are increasingly seeking care that offers convenience, cost savings, and flexibility. Retail clinics located in stores like CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart are uniquely poised to deliver in these categories – and the data show more patients are embracing their approach to care.
These walk-in outpatient clinics entered the healthcare landscape in the early 2000s as an accessible, low-cost alternative to physician’s offices, urgent care centers, and emergency rooms (ERs). Today, retail clinics can be found in drugstores and supermarkets in nearly every state.
Using data from Definitive Healthcare’s ClinicView product, we compiled a list of retail clinics in the U.S. in 2023. Keep reading to find out where these clinics are located and how retail clinics differ from other types of outpatient care.
Percentage of retail clinics by U.S. region in 2023
Fig. 1 – Data from Definitive Healthcare’s ClinicView product. Based on the number of active retail clinics tracked as of March 31, 2023.
There were 1,801 active retail clinics in 44 states as of March 2023. Most retail clinics in the U.S. are in the Southeast (34.1%) and the Midwest (27.7%). The West (9.5%) has the fewest retail clinics. About half (49.1%) of all retail clinics in the nation operate in seven states: Texas, Florida, Ohio, California, Georgia, Illinois, and Tennessee.
| Rank | CBSA | Number of locations | Explore the dataset |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin IL-IN-WI | 113 | Explore |
| 2 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta GA | 83 | Explore |
| 3 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington TX | 68 | Explore |
| 4 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler AZ | 66 | Explore |
| 5 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land TX | 59 | Explore |
Fig. 1. Data is from Definitive Healthcare’s ClinicView product. Data is accurate as of April 2023.
Nearly all (97.9%) retail clinics are in urban areas as opposed to rural areas. This makes sense from a business perspective as retailers want to reach as many customers as possible. Metropolitan areas with the highest numbers of active retail clinics include:
- hicago, Illinois
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Dallas, Texas
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Houston, Texas
What are retail clinics and what do they treat?
Retail clinics are outpatient care clinics located in drugstores, grocery stores, and other retail settings. These walk-in clinics provide basic, nonemergent care for a limited range of health conditions, from minor illnesses and injuries to preventive care like vaccinations and physical exams. They are staffed by nurse practitioners (NPs) or physician assistants (PAs). Most retail clinics accept insurance plans and offer self-pay options with transparent and fixed pricing, making them attractive to cost-conscious consumers.
How do retail clinics differ from urgent care centers?
Retail clinics and urgent care centers are grouped together as convenient care clinics because both offer extended hours and accept walk-in appointments. The main difference between retail clinics and urgent care centers is the level of care that they provide. Retail clinics treat a limited range of minor, acute conditions, such as allergies, colds, and infections.
Urgent care centers, which have on-site diagnostic equipment and procedure rooms, can offer a broader range of care for non-life-threatening conditions that need immediate attention, such as splinting and casting for broken bones or minor laceration and wound repair.
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