Walgreens opened a robotics-equipped micro-fulfillment center in Kent, Washington, on July 22, 2026, a company spokesperson said. The site is expected to process about 7 million prescriptions a year and support nearly 196 stores, including 122 in Washington. Jon Joplin, Walgreens' chief technology and operations officer of automated fulfillment, said the combination of automation and pharmacy staff expertise frees pharmacists to spend more time on patient care. The Kent opening brings Walgreens to 14 micro-fulfillment centers, per the company's jobs site, continuing an initiative it paused in 2023 over last-mile experience concerns and restarted in May 2025 with a facility in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. In February 2026 Walgreens said it planned to close a Houston distribution center.
- supplychaindive.com2026-07-30