Duane Reade food is for those who are ready-2-eat.

Duane Reade is part of $72 billion dollar Walgreen Company, which acquired the chain of over 250+ stores nearly two years ago.  While Walgreen’s has 450+ CafeW’s  located within some of their 7,500+ stores when it comes to ready-2-eat or heat-N-eat  food innovation Duane Reade takes the lead for Walgreens.

Duane Reade has put fresh food on the menu not just the shelves. Select Duane Reade locations are now serving sushi, sandwiches, beer and frozen yogurt.  Walgreen’s with Duane Reade and CafeW’s is clearly helping grow the grocerant niche.

 All food retailers should be taking note because as Adrianne Pasquarelli reported and I quote “Linda Alexander used to grab lunch at one of the numerous eateries near her office on Broadway. But lately, the public relations executive is buying her grub at Duane Reade. 

“It's insanely convenient,” said the foodie, who favors the chain's salads, frozen TV dinners and Eli Zabar sandwiches. “They're cheap as hell, which is a problem, because I certainly want to patronize the local delis, but Duane Reade is much cheaper.”

Duane Reade's ready-2-eat prepared fresh food options are obviously a big hit.  Paul Tiberio, senior vice president of merchandising and marketing at Duane Reade stated “that already almost a third of Duane Reade's sales come from food, including its own private label Good & Delish branded products. “We certainly are making things more convenient” for consumers, he said. Ok, yes these stores are in New York City, but have you seen the food isle at your local Walgreen?

Foodservice Solutions® 5 P’s of food marketing: Product, Packaging, Placement, Portability and Price are all utilized by Walgreens and Duane Reade.   Step by step, Walgreens has picked up the clues and is turning into a local grocerant nationwide.

Outside eyes can deliver top line sales and bottom line profits.  Invite Foodservice Solutions® to complete a grocerant program assessment, brand, product placement or positioning assistance.  Since 1991 Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche visit Facebook.com/Steven Johnson, Linkedin.com/in/grocerant or twitter.com/grocerant.