Would you like to become a Walgreens Vendor?
Karen Waksman, founder of Retail MBA, recently spoke about how to get products sold at Walgreens. She has years of experience selling to major retailers, and has a few tips to share on how to get products into Walgreens stores.
Walgreens Buying Power
Walgreens has over 8,000 stores, giving them tremendous buying power. This makes them an attractive option for product companies looking to make money. Walgreens has a variety of products in their stores, making them a great option for companies of all sizes.
Selling to Walgreens
For small companies just getting started, Karen suggests taking advantage of Walgreens’ local buying program. This program allows store managers to purchase products for their store only. This can be a great way for small companies to get their products into Walgreens stores.
Karen also suggests reaching out to the store manager directly. Bring the product to the store and have an honest conversation with the manager. If the product does well on a local level, the corporate buyer will likely take notice.
Buyers at Walgreens Stores
Karen Waksman has provided some valuable insight into how to get products into Walgreens stores. Taking advantage of the local buying program and reaching out to store managers directly can be a great way for small companies to get their products into Walgreens stores. For more information on selling to retailers, check out Karen’s Retail MBA training program.
Transcript of this Video:

Learn everything you need to know to become a Walgreens vendor
So one of the questions people always ask me in my workshops or classes is “Karen, I want to sell to Walgreens and how do I become a Walgreens Vendor?” And so obviously I take 10 hours to explain how to get products into the stores with my Retail MBA program, but I wanted to give you a quick tip on Walgreens, and actually one of my students did this and and he’s ultimately gotten into their stores!
Why you should be selling to Walgreens
What happens when you’re a small to mid-size manufacturer/product company, you’re ultimately trying to go after Walgreens, which is a monster, right? They have thousands of stores, and everybody wants to sell to Walgreens. And so sometimes, again, when you’re dealing with these larger retailers, like the big, big guys, they’re ultimately little bit harder to get into ’cause everybody’s clamoring to get into those stores and become a Walgreens vendor.
How to become a Walgreens vendor
So one of the things that you can do if you’re having challenges there is to notice that there’s another company called “Duane Reade”. And Duane Reade is another drug store, and they have a couple of hundred stores. Now, why do I mention Duane Reade? Well, Duane Reade and Walgreens are the same company. They are owned by the same company. And so one of the reasons why most people don’t get their products in the stores is because, maybe the buyer doesn’t wanna deal with all the paper work to add on a new product. It takes time for them, they get new codes.
It’s tricky to become a Walgreens vendor
It’s a whole thing for a buyer to add a new product, and so if you’ve got a newer product, sometimes they’re just kinda lazy and just don’t wanna deal with it unless you go make some money elsewhere. And so ultimately, what happens is when you’re dealing, like say a Walgreen, sometimes that’s probably the reason why they’re not gonna deal with the smaller guy. Doesn’t always happen, but it does happen.
Learn how more about how to approach, pitch & sell to Walgreens stores
So, the cool thing is that when you go and say, approach Duane Reade, and if Duane Reade is interested in your product and they only have a couple of hundred stores, and it’s a lot easier to get that product into that store. Well what happens is when they take you on as a vendor, you get a vendor number, and guess what, that vendor number will work for Walgreens as well. And so, that’s pretty cool ’cause then you can go at Walgreens and say
“Hey Walgreens, I have a vendor number so it’s not going to be so complicated for you to test out my product”.
And ultimately, that’s a really great tip of getting your product into Walgreens
Frequently Asked Questions about Selling into Walgreens Stores!
- How do I get my products into Best Buy stores?
To get your products into Best Buy stores, you will need to apply to become a Best Buy vendor. You can do this by visiting Best Buy’s website and completing an online vendor application. Or you can follow our Retail MBA (https://www.retailmba.com) Training System where we explain how the sales professionals actually sell into these types of retailers!
If you went the traditional route, the application process typically involves submitting a product sample and accompanying product information sheet (PIS), which should include details on your product, pricing and availability information, and any other relevant information when they ask!
Once you have submitted your application, a Best Buy buyer will review your submission and determine if your products are a good fit for the company. If your application is approved, you will be invited to become a Best Buy vendor and will be given access to the company’s systems and processes. Unfortunately, if you actually submit your product on their website, they don’t always respond. Or review your product appropriately as they ask you very generic questions about your brand and you don’t always get your products reviewed correctly. We try to rectify this through our Retail MBA Training System as we have time-tested proven methods to getting into these types of chain stores! No experience required!
To increase your chances of success, it is important to thoroughly research the market and identify a product that meets a specific need or demand. It is also important to demonstrate that you are able to produce high-quality products that offer value to customers and that you have a reliable supply chain.
Overall, getting your products into Best Buy stores requires a strong commitment to quality and customer service, as well as the ability to meet the company’s strict vendor requirements. With hard work and dedication, it is possible to build a successful partnership with Best Buy and grow your business. Plus you can make millions of dollars with one chain store order. We are here to help as a Retail consultancy if you need help with this!
- How do I contact Best Buy buyers?
There are a few ways you can contact Best Buy buyers:
- Use the “Contact Us” form on Best Buy’s website: You can visit Best Buy’s website and use the “Contact Us” form to send a message to the appropriate department. This is a good option if you are not sure which department or buyer to contact. This is also presented in the vendor section of their website. We highly recommend ignoring this route as buyers tend to overlook amazing products on their website through their vendor portal. Which is why the Founder of Retail MBA is the one who created our powerful Retail MBA Training System which unlocks how to approach, pitch and find the best buyers for you to sell to. You can take a look at what we are up to at https://www.retailmba.com.
- Do NOT Reach out through LinkedIn: Many Best Buy buyers have LinkedIn profiles, which you can use to connect with them directly. You can search for buyers by name or job title and send them a message through LinkedIn but do not reach out to them this way. Many people suggest this. Buyers despise it when you reach out to them in disrespectful ways. Linkedin is where they post their resumes. Not reviewing products!
- Attend industry trade shows and networking events: Best Buy buyers often attend industry trade shows and other events, where you can meet them in person and pitch your product. There are trade shows for every product category. For instance, housewares products can attend the International Housewares Show! Our Founder, Karen Waksman, has spoken at most of the top trade shows on how to sell to retail chains. These are great shows! Please check out our training on how to utilize trade shows appropriately. We explain what NOT to do when going to trade shows in our Retail MBA Training and Coaching Systems.
- Contact the buyer directly: If you know the name and contact information for a specific Best Buy buyer, you can try reaching out to them directly. You can do this by emailing or calling them, but never through sending them a direct message on LinkedIn. If you go this route, do not annoy buyers. Find out what words to use when contacting buyers to get them to actually review your products! Our systems all teach how to do this in a way that buyers love! We’ve taught well over 100,000 product companies how to pitch buyers with our systems listed on RetailMBA.com.
It is important to be respectful and professional when contacting Best Buy buyers, and to make sure you have a clear and compelling pitch for your product. It is also a good idea to do your research and tailor your pitch to the specific interests and needs of the buyer you are contacting.
- What are Best Buy’s vendor requirements?
Best Buy has a number of vendor requirements that must be met in order to do business with the company. These requirements can vary depending on the type of products you are selling and the market in which you operate. Some of the key requirements include:
- High-quality products: Best Buy is committed to offering its customers high-quality products at affordable prices. As a vendor, you will need to demonstrate that you are able to produce products that meet the company’s standards for quality.
- Safety and compliance: Best Buy has strict requirements for the safety and compliance of the products it sells. This includes requirements for materials, labeling, packaging, and other aspects of product design.
- Reliable supply chain: Best Buy relies on a global network of suppliers to meet the needs of its customers. As a vendor, you will need to demonstrate that you have a reliable supply chain that is able to meet the company’s demand for products. Handmade goods would not make sense to sell to Best Buy buyers – they buy in volume!
- Competitive pricing: Best Buy is known for offering its customers epic prices, and as a vendor, you will need to be able to offer competitive pricing in order to do business with the company.
- Strong customer service: Best Buy values strong customer service and expects its vendors to provide timely and accurate responses to customer inquiries and complaints.
- There is a list of requirements they require listed on their vendor portal. Check out their vendor website and you will find out insurance requirements and more!
Overall, becoming a Best Buy vendor requires a strong commitment to quality and customer service, as well as the ability to meet the company’s strict vendor requirements. With hard work and dedication, it is possible to build a successful partnership with Best Buy and grow your business.
- How do I prepare a Best Buy product submission?
To prepare a Best Buy product submission, you will need to create a product sample and accompanying product information sheet. The product sample should be a physical representation of your product, while the product sell sheet should include detailed information on your product, including its features, benefits, and Best Buy market. Do not randomly send samples to them. Buyers need to request these samples! Otherwise you will usually never get a review process from buyers.
Here are some steps you can follow to prepare a Best Buy product submission:
- Research the market: Before you start preparing your product submission, it is important to research the market to ensure that your product meets a specific need or demand. You should also research Best Buy’s product offerings and make sure your product is a good fit for the company.
- Create a product sample: Your product sample should be a physical representation of your product that demonstrates its features and benefits. You should consider creating prototypes or samples in multiple sizes, colors, or variations to give Best Buy buyers a better understanding of your product.
- Create a product information sheet (PIS): Your PIS should include detailed information on your product, including its features, benefits, Best Buy market, pricing, and availability. You should also include any relevant images or graphics that will help buyers to understand your product. We explain EXACTLY how to create the best sell sheets for buyers in our powerful Retail MBA Training System listed on RetailMBA.com.
- Review and edit your submission: Once you have created your product sample and sell sheet, it is important to review and edit your submission to ensure that it is accurate and complete. You should also double-check that you have included all relevant information and that your submission meets Best Buy’s guidelines.
- We teach you exactly what words to use and how to get buyers to buy in a fraction of the time and cost. Be sure to check out our free webinars listed on RetailMBA.com. We explain all of this in detail!
Overall, preparing a Best Buy product submission requires careful planning and attention to detail. By following these steps and ensuring that your submission is accurate and complete, you can increase your chances of success and get your products on Best Buy’s shelves. These are just a few random examples of how to prepare a product submission. Our core Retail MBA Training System takes 10 hours to explain what actually will happen to you if you sell to a retail chain. Why? One chain store order can mean 10’s of millions of dollars to your bottom line. The more you know, the better you will succeed.
- What are Best Buy’s private label requirements?
To prepare a Best Buy product submission, you will need to create a product sample and accompanying product information sheet. The product sample should be a physical representation of your product, while the sell sheet should include detailed information on your product, including its features, benefits, and Best Buy market. Again, our Core Retail MBA Training System explains how to create a powerful sell sheet and how to contact the private label buyer and submit your product as would the sales professionals!
Here are some first steps you can follow to prepare a Best Buy product submission:
- Research the market: Before you start preparing your product submission, it is important to research the market to ensure that your product meets a specific need or demand. You should also research Best Buy’s product offerings and make sure your product is a good fit for the company.
- Create a product sample: Your product sample should be a physical representation of your product that demonstrates its features and benefits. You should consider creating prototypes or samples in multiple sizes, colors, or variations to give Best Buy buyers a better understanding of your product.
- Create a product information sheet: Your sell sheet should include detailed information on your product, including its features, benefits, Best Buy market, pricing, and availability. You should also include any relevant images or graphics that will help buyers to understand your product.
- Review and edit your submission: Once you have created your product sample and sell sheet, it is important to review and edit your submission to ensure that it is accurate and complete. You should also double-check that you have included all relevant information and that your submission meets Best Buy’s guidelines.
- 6. Branding and packaging: Best Buy’s private label products must be clearly branded and properly packaged to ensure that they stand out on the shelf and are easy for customers to identify.
Overall, preparing a Best Buy product submission requires careful planning and attention to detail. Why? One order can make you millions of dollars!
When working with the private label buyer, they will instruct you on how to package using their branding! All of this is explained in our training systems listed on RetailMBA.com
- How does Best Buy source products?
Best Buy sources products from a wide range of vendors, both domestic and international. The company has a team of buyers and sourcing professionals who are responsible for identifying and evaluating potential vendors and products.
To source products, Best Buy uses a variety of methods, including:
- Online vendor application: Best Buy has an online vendor application process that allows potential vendors to submit product samples and information sheets for review. This is a good option for small and medium-sized businesses that are interested in selling their products in Best Buy stores.We suggest not going through this route as you could get lost in the process. Find out more by checking out one of our Retail MBA Training systems listed on RetailMBA.com.
- Trade shows and industry events: Best Buy buyers often attend trade shows and other industry events to discover new products and meet with potential vendors.
- Direct contact: Best Buy buyers may also reach out to potential vendors directly, either through online channels or by attending industry events and networking with other professionals.
- Partnering with manufacturers: Best Buy may also work directly with manufacturers to develop private label products or to secure exclusive distribution rights for certain products.
Overall, Best Buy uses a variety of methods to source products, including online applications, trade shows, direct contact, and partnerships with manufacturers. The company is always looking for high-quality products that offer value to customers and that meet the company’s strict vendor requirements.
- What is Best Buy’s return policy for vendors?
Best Buy’s return policy for vendors varies depending on the product and the circumstances of the return. In general, the company has a “no return” policy for many types of products, but may make exceptions in cases where there are quality issues or other problems with the product.
If a customer returns a product to Best Buy that was manufactured or supplied by a vendor, the vendor may be responsible for accepting the return and providing a refund or replacement product. In these cases, the vendor should work with Best Buy to resolve the issue and ensure that the customer is satisfied.
If a vendor is unable to accept a return or provide a refund or replacement product, Best Buy may choose to dispose of the product or return it to the vendor at the vendor’s expense.
Overall, it is important for vendors to have a clear understanding of Best Buy’s return policy and to work closely with the company to resolve any issues that may arise. By providing high-quality products and excellent customer service, vendors can minimize the risk of returns and build strong, long-lasting partnerships with Best Buy.
We explain how to avoid chargebacks and fees with Best Buy! All listed on our training and coaching systems listed on RetailMBA.com.
- How do I become a Best Buy preferred vendor?
To become a Best Buy preferred vendor, you will need to meet the company’s vendor requirements and demonstrate that you are able to produce high-quality products that offer value to customers. You will also need to have a reliable supply chain and be able to offer competitive pricing.
To apply to become a Best Buy vendor, you can visit the company’s website and complete an online vendor application. The application process typically involves submitting a product sample and accompanying product information sheet, which should include details on your product, pricing and availability information, and any other relevant information. Or follow our amazing systems that explain what to do!
Once you have submitted your application, a Best Buy buyer will review your submission and determine if your products are a good fit for the company. If your application is approved, you will be invited to become a Best Buy vendor and will be given access to the company’s systems and processes.
To become a preferred vendor, you will need to consistently meet the company’s expectations and demonstrate a track record of producing high-quality products. This may involve meeting certain performance metrics, such as on-time delivery, order accuracy, and customer satisfaction.
Overall, becoming a Best Buy preferred vendor requires a strong commitment to quality and customer service, as well as the ability to meet the company’s strict vendor requirements. With hard work and dedication, it is possible to build a successful partnership with Best Buy and grow your business.
Step-by-step training on how to sell to major retailers
We explain exactly how to do that and how to get started today. I’ve taught tens of thousands of companies on how to get your products to the stores. And so we’re here to support you. Or please subscribe to our Youtube channel and or be on the lookout for additional training that we create.
We are here to expedite the process of making money with your physical products and that’s what we’re all about. Take a look at our advanced training, live events, certification programs and so much more.
In this training, I will discuss some of the things to think about when approaching a retailer to sell your products and become a vendor. Hope it helps! 🙂
Karen Waksman,
Retail MBA
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Retail MBA provides a step-by-step formula on How to Sell to Major Retailers, Online Retailers, Smaller Retailers, Catalogs and More. No Experience Required! These solutions continue to convert for clients year-over-year! These are Time-Tested and Proven Strategies that we utilize ourselves when going after stores! Everything we teach, we test. Want access to these formulas? ANY one of our programs and coaching systems gives you access to them now. With that said…
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And…if you like this training, you will love these new short training sessions as well! Click on the links provided to watch and grow your consumer product business TODAY!

