Attention Shoppers! What’s Next in Retail Health?
// By James A. Gardner //
Unmet needs and unsolved problems always attract the attention of growth-seeking business leaders. Many see primary care as an exciting opportunity to compete, disrupt — and win.
Traditional primary care is being disrupted, right in front of our eyes. Blink and I suspect you soon won’t recognize it.
Look around and new competitors, new thinking, and new delivery models are seemingly everywhere. Venture-backed startups, large employers, government agencies, health insurers, and tech giants are all vying to deliver high-quality care more affordably and more conveniently. It’s a time of immense innovation and change.
Now, add retailers to the list of aspiring primary care disruptors. CVS Health, Walmart, Amazon, and Walgreens are among the retail giants with plans to deliver care. And let’s not overlook outliers like Dollar General and CrossFit — unlikely as they may seem, even they’re exploring ways to improve their customers’ health and wellness!
Here, we’ll look at four leading contenders from the retail world. How do they stack up against one another? And what does traditional health care have to do to stay competitive?