# CVS’ COVID-19 Response Gave Them Q1 Success

Published 2020-05-07 · Updated 2026-07-23 · Professional AV on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/pro-av/cvs-q1-sales-business-casual

> Even with the pandemic, drugstore chain CVS had an sales-heavy Q1. Its same-store pharmacy sales went up 9.3%, and same-story front-of-store sales rose 8%. Prescription volume wasn’t immune to growth either, up by nearly 10%. Why, where as other drugstores are struggling, is CVS succeeding? On this episode of Business Casual’s Secure The Bag,…

Even with the pandemic, drugstore chain CVS had an sales-heavy Q1. Its same-store pharmacy sales went up 9.3%, and same-story front-of-store sales rose 8%. Prescription volume wasn’t immune to growth either, up by nearly 10%. Why, where as other drugstores are struggling, is CVS succeeding?

On this episode of Business Casual’s Secure The Bag, host [Taylor Bagley](https://marketscale.com/industries/contributors/taylor-bagley/) lays out how CVS has reshaped its business during the pandemic to stay afloat and record successful Q1 sales. Bagley breaks down…

- How an increase in customer’s 90-day prescription refills and shopping sprees gave the company an early boost
- Why Walgreens isn’t feeling the same success
- CVS’ role in drive-thru testing sites for COVID-19
- Chief Executive Larry Merlo’s thoughts on what set CVS up for continued success

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