Fred’s, Inc. announced on Friday it will close an additional 49 underperforming stores, including Camden as part of an ongoing effort to optimize store footprint. Pharmacies will remain open at several of the locations, including the local pharmacy on Hwy. 641. The release stated that customers can continue to fill their prescriptions, receive vaccinations, and purchase over the counter medications at Camden’s Fred’s Pharmacy. Pharmacist Brad Hopkins said Camden’s Fred’s Pharmacy will remain open and looks forward to serving their customers. “Just the out-front portion of the store is closing,” Hopkins said. “We will have a pharmacy-only store with the same customer service customers have come to expect from their neighborhood Fred’s Pharmacy personnel.”
The company said the decision to close additional underperforming stores follows a continued evaluation of the company’s store portfolio, including historical and recent store performance and the timing of lease expirations, among other factors. Camden’s Fred’s was store #1320. Fred’s made leadership changes at the corporate level in February and in May announced the closing of 104 stores. Fred’s opened its first store in 1947.
