How to Sell to Walgreens & Become a Walgreens Vendor

When it comes to selling products at Walgreens many people often ask me “How can I get my products on their shelves?” This is a concern, for small to size manufacturers or product companies looking to break into the market of a retail giant like Walgreens. While there are strategies covered in my Retail MBA program I have a tip specifically for Walgreens that has proven successful for one of my students. It involves leveraging another known drugstore chain called Duane Reade.

Dealing with a retailer like Walgreens can be challenging due to the competition and the extensive process involved in getting new products added to their inventory. With thousands of stores and countless sellers vying for shelf space it’s essential to understand their hesitations and requirements. Paperwork, coding and processing time for buyers are factors that may influence their decision making.

An Approach

Let me share with you this approach that has helped businesses experience growth by navigating through these challenges. However here’s an interesting strategy; Duane Reade, which is another known chain of drugstores comes into play. What many people may not be aware of is that Duane Reade is actually part of the Walgreens family. Yes they are owned by the company. This creates an opportunity, for those who want to enter Walgreens stores.

Dealing with Walgreens can sometimes be challenging because they tend to be hesitant about working with companies or introducing products. Their buyers might be reluctant to take on the workload involved in adding a product especially if it hasn’t been widely tested in the market yet. However since Duane Reade has a presence with a few hundred stores they might be more open to trying out new products and making it easier for you to establish your presence.

And here’s where the magic happens; Once Duane Reade shows interest in your product and agrees to have you as a vendor they will assign you a vendor number. This special vendor number holds significance because it works for both Duane Reade and Walgreens since they are sister companies under the umbrella.

Now armed with your vendor number from Duane Reade you can confidently approach Walgreens. Say something like this; “Hey Walgreens! I already have my vendor number, from Duane Reade.”
So it won’t be as difficult for you to try out my product in your stores. This approach can greatly reduce the perceived risk for Walgreens making them more open, to considering your product for their shelves.

This strategic approach offers benefits

Access to Two Major Retailers; By partnering with Duane Reade you gain entry into both Duane Reade and Walgreens stores expanding your market reach significantly.

Proven Track Record; Showing that your product has already succeeded in Duane Reade stores strengthens your credibility when pitching to Walgreens.

Simplified Processes; Since both Duane Reade and Walgreens use the vendor number system onboarding your product becomes a process for Walgreens.

Testing and Expansion; By starting with Duane Reade you can test how well your product performs in a market before scaling up to Walgreens.

Improved Negotiation Position; Achieving success at Duane Reade gives you leverage when discussing terms with Walgreens.

Building Relationships; Partnering with Duane Reade allows you to establish connections with buyers and gain insights into working with a larger retailer, like Walgreens.
To alleviate buyer concerns you can demonstrate your commitment and capability by presenting a vendor number from a sister company. This shows that you have the expertise to handle the logistics of supplying to retailers.

In summary while it may seem challenging to break into retailers, like Walgreens entering through Duane Reade can pave the way for your success. By showcasing your products potential and reliability at Duane Reade you can access both Duane Reade and Walgreens stores. This approach enables you to expand your market presence establish relationships and build a strong foundation for growth. So seize this opportunity to open doors to greatness with thinking and creativity. Remember, success in the landscape often involves finding paths rather than taking a direct route. Best of luck, on your journey!