Outside of the pharmacy it's basically just a bigger version of a convenience store. Simple as that.
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Why would someone go to Walgreens?
- Thread starter Krombopulos_MK
- Start date
When I was in Brooklyn, there was a Target about a 15 minute walk and a Walgreens about a 10 minute walk. The former was just swamped with people at all times and while the latter could be as well - it was also smaller and I could get in and get out pretty quick.
The point of these bigger convenience stores is that someone can pop in and get the essentials and possibly a bit more without having to be bumping into people.
The point of these bigger convenience stores is that someone can pop in and get the essentials and possibly a bit more without having to be bumping into people.
OP
OP
Now you're asking the real questions! Somehow I ended up going to Walgreens for flu shots once a year and for nothing else haha.
i think target gives a $5 off $20 coupon like cvs for flu shots. you're missing out
Full disclosure, I worked at one for several years.
Part of it is convenience. Walgreens tries to market themselves as being a place where you're able to get in, get what you need, and get out quickly, unlike the "big box stores" (your Walmarts, Targets, etc). There's also the whole "one-stop shop" thing, like you're here to get medicine, but you might as well grab some other things you needed to get so you don't have to drive to another store.
And yes, I agree that there are a lot of things there that run higher than what you would find then for at other places, but they do tend to have some decent sales on things. It was completely normal for us to run out of more in-demand items like dish soap, laundry detergent, and soda the weeks they would go BOGO or buy two get one.
Easier to get to, faster to get to and through, have snack foods in smaller sizes like a gas station but might feel less sketchy/be less busy, can grab stuff while getting things at the pharmacy. I think some still have photo print stuff, which isn't an option at a lot of Target stores.
OP
OP
Damn it! I'll have to remember that for next year…
This is a helpful perspective, thanks!
Walgreens is slightly closer than Walmart or Target. Sometimes you just need a bottle of Nizoral.
I get what you mean. The prices are higher (except for the occasional sale) than going to Target or a grocery store. I think there are a few reasons:
1) Location
2) Convenience (if you're picking up a prescription and only need to buy one or two items then it's not going to be worthwhile to make a second stop)
3) Hours - some Walgreens open earlier or close later than Target/supermarkets.
1) Location
2) Convenience (if you're picking up a prescription and only need to buy one or two items then it's not going to be worthwhile to make a second stop)
3) Hours - some Walgreens open earlier or close later than Target/supermarkets.
My wife holds a grudge against CVS for them being shitty to her several times, so as far as that type of thing it's my only real option.
We both have chronic sinus issues and thus have to go somewhere for Sudafed. The pharmacy in walking distance doesn't carry it.
So that's the main reason, but my wife drinks a ton of Diet Dr. Pepper and they often have those buy 2, get 1 free on the twelve packs.
We both have chronic sinus issues and thus have to go somewhere for Sudafed. The pharmacy in walking distance doesn't carry it.
So that's the main reason, but my wife drinks a ton of Diet Dr. Pepper and they often have those buy 2, get 1 free on the twelve packs.
My Target is actually even closer than my Walgreens (and right on the way, if I need to go the latter), so I'm one of apparently few people who empathize with the original take here.
But yes, unfortunately Targets are not distributed evenly along a grid-based system to be two minutes away from every home and/or Walgreens.
But yes, unfortunately Targets are not distributed evenly along a grid-based system to be two minutes away from every home and/or Walgreens.
also i grew up near a target that has another target 1 mile down the road and it has been like that for years. if two targets can exist that close to each other i'm sure a walgreens can too. i think there's a cvs in between those two targets as well.
Walgreens are 100% about convenience. They're small and often placed very close to neighborhoods, especially in a city. I used to live next door to one when I lived in the city and it was nice to have.
It's like if Target and 7 Eleven had a baby.
It's like if Target and 7 Eleven had a baby.
I don't really get the argument over convenience. And I don't mean for Targets sake. Just go bulk buy at a grocer for a 1-2 weeks worth of food. Then instead of having to walk/drive 2 minutes every so often to your Walgreens, you don't have to go at all and spend extra money. You'll save so much money and time doing that, and it forces you to learn a lot of self control/discipline because you have to make that food last.
Walgreens has a better selection of Halloween candy that hasn't been picked through to hell and back.
This is like asking why buy things at gas stations when the items are cheaper at grocery stores. Convenience of already being at Walgreens and not having to go elsewhere to pick something up.
Just this week I picked up some milk when I went to get my prescription because I didn't want to drive miles down the road to a grocery store. Sure I paid more, but it was another stop I didn't have to make.
Just this week I picked up some milk when I went to get my prescription because I didn't want to drive miles down the road to a grocery store. Sure I paid more, but it was another stop I didn't have to make.
Its convenient and quick. Its one of the easiest places to go if you're heading to a party and need to pick up drinks or snacks.
The walgreens is 3 minutes from me and the Target is 15? Also Walgreens has decent sales and gives me coupons.
I never went to Walgreens until I moved and it became ever so slightly closer to my house than larger grocery stores. So definitely convenience related.
And then for some people having a national pharmacy chain can be important instead of relying on local/regional grocery store chains. Obviously, Target pharmacies are operated by CVS, but that's an exception.
And then for some people having a national pharmacy chain can be important instead of relying on local/regional grocery store chains. Obviously, Target pharmacies are operated by CVS, but that's an exception.
I go to Walgreens for the clearance items.. they're not shy about marking stuff down to get it out of there.
I picked up a couple of 12 pack boxes of 5 Hr Energy for $1 each. Basically it's worth going through the store looking for orange stickers. Ten cent bottles of 100 ct. Tylenol, fifty cent pizzas, etc.
Mainly I go when they have Arizona Teas on sale 2 for $1.
I picked up a couple of 12 pack boxes of 5 Hr Energy for $1 each. Basically it's worth going through the store looking for orange stickers. Ten cent bottles of 100 ct. Tylenol, fifty cent pizzas, etc.
Mainly I go when they have Arizona Teas on sale 2 for $1.
It's never something that you're planning for. It's always realizing that you don't have something the moment that you need it.
Convenience is why Walgreens wins out.
For me, it's a short drive, parking lot is small, store is small (so I don't have to look around for long), and the check-out lines are usually short or nonexistent. I had to run down to get something the other night and I completed the entire roundtrip to Walgreens within 15 minutes. Target wasn't even open but, if it was, it probably would've been a 40-45 minute ordeal.
For me, it's a short drive, parking lot is small, store is small (so I don't have to look around for long), and the check-out lines are usually short or nonexistent. I had to run down to get something the other night and I completed the entire roundtrip to Walgreens within 15 minutes. Target wasn't even open but, if it was, it probably would've been a 40-45 minute ordeal.
Walgreens is a convenience store.
Target is an inconvenience store.
I have a Walgreens and CVS within equal distance of me. I actually prefer Walgreens because the CVS is always super packed and a shit show. I never liked Walgreens as a brand, I Was always a CVS person growing up, but now I'm particularly crowd resistent.
My 3 year old and I go to walgreens every weekend. We get up, go do errands, and part of those errands are getting her a chocolate milk at Walgreens, then getting a coffee + muchkins from dunkin donuts, and we eat those at the park.
The Walgreens near me is basically always empty, no lines, no people, and it's just way more convenient for me than the shitass CVS same distance, but always a zoo with long lines wrapping down the first aisle... and with a 3 year old during covid, no bueno.
It's not even in the same ballpark as target. Target is a huge store, not for going into and getting a single item for convenience. Target is a big box store/super market, not a convenience store. Walgreens is primarily a convenience and pharmacy store that has some grocery items. Target is a huge busy parking lot that isn't convenient to get to the door. Walgreens is small and I park within 1-2 spaces of the door.
Target is an inconvenience store.
I have a Walgreens and CVS within equal distance of me. I actually prefer Walgreens because the CVS is always super packed and a shit show. I never liked Walgreens as a brand, I Was always a CVS person growing up, but now I'm particularly crowd resistent.
My 3 year old and I go to walgreens every weekend. We get up, go do errands, and part of those errands are getting her a chocolate milk at Walgreens, then getting a coffee + muchkins from dunkin donuts, and we eat those at the park.
The Walgreens near me is basically always empty, no lines, no people, and it's just way more convenient for me than the shitass CVS same distance, but always a zoo with long lines wrapping down the first aisle... and with a 3 year old during covid, no bueno.
It's not even in the same ballpark as target. Target is a huge store, not for going into and getting a single item for convenience. Target is a big box store/super market, not a convenience store. Walgreens is primarily a convenience and pharmacy store that has some grocery items. Target is a huge busy parking lot that isn't convenient to get to the door. Walgreens is small and I park within 1-2 spaces of the door.
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Also my tiny grocery I usually use doesn't have a lot of OOC medications and other assorted health items and my local pharmacy is small.
I'd rather go into Walgreens for those things than Walmart or a bigger grocery store.
I'd rather go into Walgreens for those things than Walmart or a bigger grocery store.
I guess that's fair, but for me living in a rural area that's just kinda like "Well, guess I'll get that next time." and live without for a week or so.
Edit: Unless you mean meds or pain relief stuff, that's different obviously but probably should be a rare thing so an emergency "go to the store" moment is fine to get get something in a hurry.
yeah, their prices are way higher because they can't compete on volume/big items like Target, WalMart, etc. I kinda think of it as the price of convenience, vs. going to a giant store, dealing with long lines, etc. Milk is usually like $3/gallon at the supermarket for me, and easily like... $4.79 at Walgreens or $3.29 for a half gallon at CVS/walgreens. But my supermarket regularly has lines 6-8 people deep and like 2 checkout cashiers for the whole store + shit show at self-checkout, plus a giant lot that I have to park far away from. With a kid ... I fucking hate going to the supermarket, because to get something quick like a half gallon of milk I have to walk all the way to the back with a kid and then stand in line for 5-10 mins for one damn item.