elderly beirut champs at walgreens.
Interesting observation of the day:
Lots of elderly people shop in Walgreens. Significantly more so than in both CVSs in Coolidge Corner. I was in all three stores all in a row today and Walgreens had a ton of elderly people walking around; they all seemed really sick too, coughing and stuff. Honestly, I’m not exaggerating when I say I couldn’t walk anywhere in the store without bumping into people in walkers and wheelchairs. Is Walgreens more appealing to the elderly than CVS?
Walgreens did, however, have ping pong balls, whereas neither CVS store did. Question: Do people purchase ping pong balls to actually play ping pong or just for beirut purposes? Walgreens had a special display for them, which I thought was odd, considering the store was filled with elderly people and elderly people are not especially known for their beirut playing abilities. So, maybe they’re buying the ping pong balls to actually play ping pong. Do people even still play ping pong these days? One of life’s mysteries I suppose…
I kinda think it’s also a mystery as to why there are two CVS stores in Coolidge Corner within like 2 seconds from each other. One is just a miniaturized version of the other. Not necessary.
August 23rd, 2007 at 3:18 am
Haha! That’s the same thing all my friends have been telling me. I think some of them actually worship DARK chocolate on shrines and stuff. Thanks for the comment!
P.S. I love Boston too!
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:39 am
I’ve never been a big fan of Walgreens, but I think that’s because I worked at one during high school, and now I get creeped out by that specific Walgreens smell when I walk in. Plus, CVS gives me money back with my little key fob thing.
I do hate that CVS right on the corner of Harvard St. You’re right, it seems so pointless when there’s one 4 times as big just down the street.
I think there will be a resurgence of actual ping pong playing after Balls of Fury comes out, but Beirut is definitely the predominant reason any store like Walgreens would carry balls.
On a side note, I tried to convince my mother to buy Class of 2007 ping pong balls for my cousin’s graduation, but she couldn’t understand why she would want them. At her graduation party, there was much Beirut action (even my aunt played) and my mom conceded that it would have been a good present.
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:46 am
There are some really interesting differences in their demographics and who they target:
CVS demographics are targeted more at females from mid 20’s to mid 40’s. Evidence of this is the shorter shelves. Females are usually shorter, that way you can see more of the store and find what you’re looking for easier. The big CVS in Coolidge Corner was remodeled to the lower shelves about 1-2 years ago.
Walgreens strategy is all about real estate. They’re famous for being in the corner of “Main and Main” and ALWAYS trying to be on the side of the street that’s coming back from work, NOT going to work. This is why you’ll see a lot of coffee shops across the street from Walgreens. You pick up coffee on your way to work, you stop by Walgreens to get milk.
Pharmacies in general make more money on the front-end (i.e., not medicines) so they try to sell you that stuff like there’s no tomorrow. That’s why Walgreens has so much general merchandise crap – I’ll admit, I’ve alwasy wanted a Brookline t-shirt from there!
Historically CVS didn’t really compete with Walgreens that much. They weren’t in many states, but they acquired many stores from Albertsons which increased their levels of competition with them all over the US. Normally though, it’s a completely different shopper so they tend no to focus on them as much.
CVS is much more hip. That naturally attracts a much younger crowd. Walgreens is just convenient, so I think a big function of older people at the store in Coolidge is the fact that is closest to them – again, all about real estate!
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Woww good insight! I totally forgot about balls of fury coming out…maybe walgreens is just ahead of the trend; go them.
Interesting about the going to work and coming home from work idea. And the Brookline sweatshirts hahaha…my friend was cold once and bought a white sweatshirt at Walgreens for like $2.
For some reason, I feel like the Walgreens in NH (at least on the Seacoast) have a better reputation and are just so much cooler. Maybe it’s because they’re lacking CVSs in that area….