Front-end focus: Suppliers help beautify aisles

Looking to bolster sales and better serve its customers, Walmart has stepped up its engagement with suppliers to review its assortment and bring in more new and innovative products — and the beauty department is no exception.


These efforts were evident in a Walmart store in New Jersey recently visited by Drug Store News. Upon entering the beauty department, endcaps clearly highlighted “Every Day Low Price” on such items as Dove gift sets ($8.88) and fragrance gift sets ($14) — clearly attractive buys for those shoppers kicking off their holiday shopping.


As shoppers browse the beauty aisles, they encounter fragrance gift sets of White Diamonds, Mariah Carey’s Lollipop Bling or Giorgio Beverly Hills, among others, that come complete with the wrapping paper for $19. 


It is no secret that the retail giant recently brought back its Action Alleys. While beauty products were scarce in the Action Alley at this particular Walmart location, it was hard to miss the large floor display of Fat Foam Hair Color by Samy, an exclusive to Walmart. 


While time will tell if Wal­mart’s efforts will beautify top line sales, what appears to be evident is that more women are willing to buy their beauty products from Walmart.


According to The Bench­marking Co.’s 2010 “Pink Report,” today’s beauty consumer operates under a new set of truths where convenience, price, value and authenticity are key. Seventy-one percent of women surveyed said they shop at Walmart for beauty and personal care products. Today, Walmart seems to mean more to women than just bargains or low prices; 67% of women strongly agreed that Walmart offers premium brands for less.