My son is a pharmacist intern and he says that older people like going to the same pharmacy. They mostly have insurance or medicare, so they pay the same thing regardless of where they go.
The real small business killers are Home Depot and Lowes. We’ve had several small hardware stores and nurseries go out of business. Their prices are 30 to 40 percent less, so it is good for the consumer anyway.
I rarely see a small business pharmacy anymore. They have been replaced by big chains such as Walgreens. My military retirement makes my prescriptions cost the same anywhere. Of-the-shelf items for medications or anything else in those stores are about three times higher than Walmart. Needless to say, I drop off my prescriptions and shop for whatever I want/need while there. With gas now over 4$ I can do without an over-eager clerk or superior quality stuff or tips to bag boys. Keep on keeping on Walmart. I’ve got your back.