Retail clinic chain closes 30 locations

The Little Clinic, which operated 147 retail health clinics in eight states, reported that it would close 30 locations and exit five U.S. markets, according to a firm that follows the industry.

The Little Clinic, the nation's third largest retail clinic chain, will depart Indianapolis, Houston, Detroit,Toledo, Ohio, and Richmond, Virginia, according to a report by Merchant Medicine LLC, a Minneapolis-area based analyst and consulting firm.

"With these closings, Kroger and The Little Clinic are focusing on strengthening this business model to better service the healthcare needs of customers in an affordable, convenient manner," leaders at The Little Clinic said in a publicly released statement.

Charland said the closures are the result of the change in ownership, which resulted in changes to the company's sources of operating capital.