Walgreens taps local vendors for Hawaii store opening

HONOLULU As it gears up for the grand opening of its first Hawaii store, Walgreen Co. said it is reaching out to dozens of local vendors to supply the store, set to open Nov. 1 on the site of a former Tower Records outlet on busy Kapiolani Boulevard in this bustling metro market.

Dana Psomas, district manager for the company’s new Hawaii operation, said Walgreens is setting up accounts with more than 50 local suppliers to help create a shopping environment that caters to the specific tastes of Hawaiian consumers. “We’re committed to offering a broad selection of local products so that from the first day, our customers feel at home in our stores,” said Psomas. “We’re especially proud to have so many local suppliers represented in a store smaller than our typical size.

“We’ve learned from our vendors what is important to Hawaii’s customers, and that’s reflected in our merchandise offerings.”

Those offerings will go beyond products that are traditionally supplied locally, such as bread, dairy products, soft drinks and water, according to Walgreens. The company is also using local suppliers for product categories that include candy, local snacks, grocery items, automotive needs, souvenirs and greeting cards.

“Being new to the market, their assistance is invaluable to us,” said the DM. “We want to…merchandise our stores to the local community, neighborhood by neighborhood.”

Walgreens plans to open three additional Hawaii stores in the second half of 2008 and eventually operate 25-30 stores across the state.

Marking another milestone, Walgreens will stage the grand opening of its 6,000th drug store Wednesday in New Orleans. The store, located in the city’s historic Carrollton neighborhood, is the company’s 48th unit in New Orleans, and marks an ongoing comeback for both the local Walgreens operation and the city itself following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

“And the growth will continue,” noted Walgreens in a statement. “By the end of next year, Walgreens will have more stores in the New Orleans metro area than it did prior to…Katrina.”