It’s the end of the road for Roz Brewer, the CEO of Walgreens. Brewer, who has been in the top role at the American drugstore giant for more than two years, has announced her resignation. The resignation comes at an important time for the company, which is in the midst of a major strategic shift away from traditional retail to digital and automated services.
Brewer first joined the company as Chief Operating Officer in 2017, and took on the role of CEO in 2019, succeeding long-time Walgreens CEO Stefano Pessina. In the two years she was at the helm, Brewer focused much of her attention on helping to shift the company’s focus away from its traditional retail business in order to better compete in the digital landscape. This included the launch of a number of digital initiatives, such as Walgreens Express, which offers same-day delivery of products, and a partnership with Instacart to offer home delivery services.
Brewer’s resignation came as a surprise to some, given the progress made under her leadership. However, a statement from Pessina indicated that this move was well planned and part of the strategic shift the company needs to stay competitive. Pessina stated that “Roz’s vision and tenacity transformed Walgreens’ operations, advancing and expanding our digital strategy to create a faster, more seamless shopping experience for our customers.”
Brewer will be leaving the company in the capable hands of Chief Financial Officer James Kehoe, who will serve as Interim CEO until a permanent replacement is found. While the company searches for the right person to take over the role, it seems clear that Brewer has left a lasting legacy at Walgreens during her time as CEO.