Boots is closing 60 of its least-used stores and will re-deploy its pharmacists to help busier ones meet coronavirus lockdown demand.
The Brit high street chain said stores affected are likely to be in areas such as airports and retail parks where there is almost no footfall at the moment.
Boots will be closing the first wave of its stores on Friday with the second wave expected to be closed by Wednesday April 15.
In a statement, a Boots spokesman said the company needs to "have enough colleagues" playing “vital roles where it’s currently most needed”.