Is there a Walgreens in London or the UK? (2024)

Walgreens is seriously my jam.

I am with you, people of the internet who have searched, “Is there a Walgreens in the UK?” or “Is there a Walgreens in London?”

I am with you.

I love Walgreens so much that as a child, I waited during the holidays for the Walgreens ad and then did my Christmas shopping for my family from it.

Also, Walgreens is good for normal people who buy toiletries and other drug store items there instead of waiting all year for the Christmas lights and singing Santas, but you know.

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Anyway, the question is…

“Is there a Walgreens in the UK or England or London?”

And the answer is no.

There isn’t a Walgreens in the UK or London, however Boots is a UK drug store now owned by a parent company connected with Walgreens.

Before I try and unravel the history of Walgreens in the UK or why there isn’t a Walgreens in London, we’ve got some other things to tend to.

Firstly, no matter your reason for being here, you need the best book on living in the UK for Americans ever written – the book is called “Girl Gone London: An American’s Guide to Surviving Life in the UK” and you should click here and check it out.

I also may have written it, so I’m biased.

But truly, if you’re coming to the UK as an expat, a study abroad student, or even a visitor, my guide to life in the UK contains both personal anecdotes and maybe too-honest experiences, as well as resources and advice on topics ranging from homesickness in the UK (or how not to rage book a flight to America like I did), driving in the UK, being a student in the UK, and more practical advice about bank accounts, buying houses, and more. 

It’s truly a one stop shop for all of the weirdness and wonderfulness (is that a word?) that comes along with life in the UK, and also there is plenty of opportunity to laugh at me as I share all of my expat fails so there’s that. 

Secondly, I’ve put together some great articles for anyone interested in moving to the UK or visiting the UK for a short amount of time.

Expats in the UK will love the resources on learning how to drive here, while study abroad students need to read the tips on understanding UK money ASAP so you don’t look too embarrassing sitting at the counter counting change that you’ve never seen before.

No matter who you are or why you’re coming to the UK (or maybe you won’t now after you learned there is no Walgreens…) I’ve got the perfect slightly awkward, mostly hilarious anecdotes of my own mistakes so you won’t make your own!

• Culture Shock: The Things We Don’t Talk About
• An American Girl’s Guide to Surviving the London Underground
• Understanding UK Money: Pence, Not Cents!
• Driving in England as an American: An Apology to UK Drivers

Anyway, moving along to Walgreens in the UK.

History of Walgreens

As you very well may know, Walgreens is a huge name in the American drug store business.

It’s actually the second largest in the US behind CVS (check out this article on whether there is a CVS in the UK).

There are almost 10,000 locations across the US, though it started in 1901 with just a single drug store in Chicago.

In the 100+ years in between, it has grown leaps and bounds and acquired lots of different stores and franchises (which we’ll talk more about in a second).

Walgreens fills prescriptions, sells over-the-counter drugs like cold medicine, and sells toiletries, snacks, seasonal items, beauty items and also has photo services.

There are Walgreens in all 50 states, meaning that anyone from the US will have one in your state (and will likely have passed one in your travels even if one is not directly by you!)

Walgreens and Boots Merger

In December of 2014, Walgreens decided to expand by purchasing 55% of an existing drug store company, named Alliance Boots.

This meant that two companies came together to form a new global business, known as the Walgreens Boots Alliance.

This new company has businesses in over 25 countries and includes the UK drug store, known as Boots.

Boots mostly operates under the International branch of the Walgreens Boots Alliance, though there are Boots in other countries besides the UK.

Equivalent to Walgreens in the UK

Just because there are no Walgreens in the UK doesn’t mean you can’t access prescriptions and toiletries (and in my case Christmas supplies) whenever you need.

Boots

As discussed, Boots is the closest thing to Walgreens in the UK and is actually part of a larger Walgreens alliance.

If you want an equivalent to Walgreens, you can’t get closer to Boots.

They do essentially the same thing as Walgreens does, including prescriptions, toiletries, baby items, snacks, make-up and other “around the house” items like plug converters, batteries, and more.

You can find them both in London and across the UK.

London has some particularly large ones with multiple floors that are perfect for a doing a one-stop shop in, but you can find them almost anywhere.

Superdrug

Superdrug is another drug store that you can use instead of Walgreens.

I like Boots better, but if you just need something basic and aren’t too concerned about your shopping experience (Boots tends to be brighter and roomier, in my opinion), then you’re good to go!

Read more in my full guide comparing UK and US stores and restaurants.

Coming to London Soon?

Hey!

Since you’re here I’m assuming you’re intent on visiting this amazing city soon!

Getting the lowdown on the hottest spots in town can be time consuming so I took the liberty of picking out some great ones below. Hope you enjoy!

Open Top Bus London Tour: Double Decker buses are not only a way of transportation in London, but a definitive pastime of the city dwellers.

This tour lets you see London by night and experience a true right of passage that every Londoner must complete. A two for one YAY! 

Kew Gardens: If you want to explore some of the calmer areas of the city, I highly recommend exploring the botanicals at Kew Gardens.

London’s largest World Heritage site boasts acres of gardens in a royal glass palace because, yes, everything here gets the royal treatment. 

Afternoon Tea Cruise on River Thames: Oh so you’ve come to London looking for tea?

Lucky for you theres literally MILLIONS of options to choose from… it can actually get overwhelming. So I made it easy for you and found one of the best teas in town, complete with the best setting as well!

Want to know more about US stores in the UK? Check this list out!

• Is there a Costco in London or the UK?
• Is there a Target in London or the UK?
• Is there a Shoe Carnival in London or the UK?
• Is there a Duane Reade in London or the UK?
• Is there a Books-a-Million in London or the UK?
• Is there a Giant in London or the UK?
• Is there a Justice store in London or in the UK?
• Is there a PacSun in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Barnes and Noble in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Pottery Barn in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Chase Bank in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Banana Republic in London or in the UK?
• Is there an Arby’s in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Children’s Place in London or in the UK?
• Is there a 7 Eleven in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Hot Topic in London or in the UK?
• Is there an Applebee’s in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Disney World in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Bath and Body Works in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Bank of America in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Panda Express in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Boston Market in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Sam’s Club in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Wawa in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Trader Joe’s in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Safeway in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Sears in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Wegman’s in London or in the UK?
• Is there a TJMaxx in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Kroger in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Little Ceasars in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Dick’s Sporting Good in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Panera Bread in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Cheesecake Factory in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Johnny Rocket’s in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Wells Fargo in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Chuck E Cheese in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Sonic in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Waffle House in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Red Lobster in London or in the UK?
• Is there an IHOP in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Chili’s in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Goodwill in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Popeyes in London or in the UK?
• Is there an Old Navy in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Dillards in London or in the UK?
• Is there a CVS in London or in the UK?
• Is there an Ulta in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Best Buy in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Kmart in London or in the UK?
• Is there a JCPenney in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Publix in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Marshalls in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Nordstrom in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Lowes in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Bed Bath and Beyond in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Taco Bell in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Dairy Queen in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Steak n Shake in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Hobby Lobby in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Sephora in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Macys in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Ross in London or in the UK?
• Is there an American Eagle in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Petsmart in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Michaels in London or in the UK?
• Is there an Olive Garden in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Chick Fil A in London or in the UK?
• Is there an Outback Steakhouse in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Chipotle in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Kohls in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Starbucks in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Home Depot in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Wendy’s in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Walmart in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Dollar Store in London or in the UK?
• Is there an In-N-Out Burger in London or in the UK?