4 chapters across the catalog
Pharmacy Industry Collapse, CVS and Walgreens Closures
CVS Health replaced its CEO as the company prepares to close 900 locations, following similar bankruptcy and closure trends at Walgreens and Rite Aid. The hosts discuss how insurance companies and "drugstore deserts" are driving consumers toward Amazon Pharmacy and mail-order prescriptions.
FTC Bans Rite Aid Facial Recognition for Racial Bias
The Federal Trade Commission banned Rite Aid from using facial recognition technology for five years after the company was accused of using it to falsely identify people of color and women as shoplifters. The FTC alleged the "secret" surveillance program led to thousands of false accusations and employee harassment of customers.
Rite Aid faces a potential delisting from the New York Stock Exchange as its share price falls below one dollar. The hosts contrast this financial trouble with the company's sponsorship of flu shots at the Golden Globes. They also discuss the logistics of an upcoming meetup in Des Moines, Iowa, and the benefits of Friday versus Saturday events.
The 2019 Golden Globes featured a native advertisement for Rite Aid where actors were offered flu shots during the ceremony. The stunt is described as a high-cost marketing moment that saw mixed reactions from celebrities like Willem Dafoe. The hosts also comment on the "diversity and equity" themes present in the award speeches.
