Walgreens Expands Duane Reade Private Label Snacks, Beverages
The private brand has been a hit with New Yorkers since it debuted at Duane Reade drugstores last September. Walgreens acquired the brand as part of its purchase of Duane Reade in April.
"Introducing the DR Delish line of products in our stores is one of the first big steps toward bringing the best of Duane Reade to Walgreens," said Bryan Pugh, vice president of merchandising for Walgreens. "The DR Delish brand allows us to offer our customers snacks and beverages with premium recipes but at more affordable prices."
The DR Delish snacks and beverages will sell at prices below the leading national brands. The brand launched at Duane Reade with 25 items last fall and quickly developed a strong following among New Yorkers as it grew to more than 100 items by the end of last year. Many of the products offer healthy benefits, labeled trans-fat free, gluten-free, reduced-calorie or made with natural ingredients.
Walgreens stores will start with 10 DR Delish products featured on an end cap display. Other DR Delish products will be rotated in or added to shelves in fall.
The initial product mix will be priced from $2.99 to $7.49 and include trail mix, cookies, pretzel rods and gallons of tea. "These were among the most popular DR Delish products in the New York market, so we're confident they'll be a hit with our customers nationwide," Pugh said. "Our plan is to expand the selection available at Walgreens in the coming months."
Walgreens is the nation's largest drug store chain with fiscal 2009 sales of $63 billion. The company operates 7,545 stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.