In an earnings call, executive Tim Wentworth conceded that locking products up might not be the best move for boosting sales.

The top executive at Walgreens lamented the loss of sales from putting items like toothpaste behind lock and key to crack down on rampant shoplifting that has plagued pharmacy chains around the country.

The Deerfield-based pharmacy giant plans to close as many as 1,200 in the coming years, with 5 Chicago stores on the latest list.

Walgreens says it will close five stores on the South and West sides of Chicago next month, drawing criticism from local leaders. The stores are in the neighborhoods of Chicago Lawn, Little Village, South Chicago,

Five Walgreens stores will shutter their doors in Chicago next month, as part of a nationwide series of closures announced by the drugstore chain last year.