Wesfarmers Steps In as Dozens of Priceline Pharmacies Enter Receivership
There’s been a major shake-up in Australia’s pharmacy sector, and it centres around Priceline Pharmacies and its biggest franchise operator. Right now, more than 50 Priceline stores have been placed into receivership after years of financial strain behind the scenes, and it’s a move that has sent ripples through the retail and healthcare space.
So here’s what’s happened. Infinity Pharmacy Group, which operates around 120 pharmacies across the country, most of them under the Priceline banner, has seen 54 of its stores put into receivership. This decision was taken by Wesfarmers, the parent company of Priceline, following ongoing concerns about the group’s financial position. The action was taken midweek, and while it was confirmed that Wesfarmers initiated the receivership, the exact amount of money owed has not been disclosed.
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For some observers, this development didn’t come completely out of nowhere. Infinity Pharmacy Group has reportedly been dealing with financial pressure for several years, and those difficulties now appear to have reached a tipping point. Still, the speed of the move caught at least one major creditor off guard. Paragon Care, a listed medical equipment and services company, was reportedly blindsided by the collapse, despite recently reporting a solid profit for the 2025 financial year.
With receivers and administrators now appointed, day-to-day control of the affected stores has been handed over while options are assessed. It’s expected that efforts will be made to stabilise operations, protect remaining value, and determine whether stores can be sold, restructured, or closed. For customers, most pharmacies are expected to continue trading as normal in the short term, though uncertainty clearly hangs over staff and local communities.
What makes this situation particularly significant is the scale. Priceline is one of Australia’s most recognisable pharmacy brands, especially in health, beauty, and cosmetics. Seeing such a large portion of its network affected highlights just how tough conditions have become for community pharmacies. Rising costs, tighter margins, regulatory changes, and shifts in consumer behaviour have all been putting pressure on the sector.
From Wesfarmers’ perspective, the move into receivership appears to have been framed as a necessary step to manage risk and recover value, rather than allowing losses to deepen. However, it also exposes the fragile financial foundations that can exist beneath well-known retail brands.
As this process unfolds, attention will be on what happens next. The fate of the 54 stores, the impact on suppliers and creditors, and the broader implications for the pharmacy industry will all be closely watched. For now, this episode stands as a clear reminder that even familiar names on the high street are not immune when financial pressures are left unresolved for too long.
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