Duane Reade pulling out all the stops for new flagship in downtown Manhattan

New York City -- Walgreens’ Duane Reade division on Wednesday will open its most ambitious and elaborate store to date, a flagship in downtown Manhattan. The 22,000-sq.-ft. drug store, located at 40 Wall Street, will have an upscale focus, and feature a number of exclusive services and amenities aimed at the Wall Street clientele.



"This store represents a milestone, with the best ideas of Duane Reade and Walgreens setting a new benchmark for health and daily living," said Greg Wasson, president and CEO, Walgreens. "As part of the Walgreens family of companies, Duane Reade is taking an important step in its highly visible re-branding initiatives with the opening of this store."



The store will feature Duane Reade’s signature, no-appointment-required "Doctor On Premises" service. It will also boast the chain’s first pharmacy "Powered by Walgreens Pharmacy Network,” system, a link to Walgreens pharmacy system, the largest pharmacy network in the nation.



An expanded beauty department will offer before/after virtual makeovers, skin analysis, and an automatic fragrance sampler that will allow customers to try more than 40 different scents on their wrist. Other amenities include a nail salon, a hair salon, a cell phone charging station that will lock the device and charge while a customer shops, and a shoe shine station (with all proceeds from the shine donated to various New York-based charities).



The food offerings are comprehensive and include: a Sushi Station, featuring a chef and full menu from edamame to elaborate rolls; The Juice Market, offering fresh-made specialty themed smoothies; a Starbucks coffee and fresh bakery counter; a Coca-Cola "Freestyle" machine dispensing 130 varieties of Coca Cola fountain drinks; and an expanded natural and organic section containing fresh fruits, vegetables, wraps, sandwiches and salads made daily.



"As our customers shop across fewer retailers, we have positioned 40 Wall Street to best service the 'need-it-now' trips of the area's growing residential and professional populations, offering an 'up market' fresh food proposition and their one-stop shop solution." said Paul Tiberio, senior VP merchandising & CMO, Duane Reade.



The new store will even offer holographic imaging by way of the “Virtual Assistant” (see related story). Custom designed for Duane Reade by queue management and digital signage provider Tensator, it will introduce customers to the store features by utilizing the latest in holographic imaging and audio-visual technology to create the illusion of a real person.