When I was first asked to consider London Drugs’ position in Calgary, all I could think of was film. I have many friends and acquaintances who are photographers, and it seems pretty well known that it is a great place in the city to buy film. Other than that, camera equipment and computers seem to be what people might consider going to London Drugs for. But there is so much more!
I was lucky to be asked to represent Calgary is Awesome and our readers in Whistler this October at their annual conference. The conference brings together general merchandise and cosmetic managers from the stores with vendors in order to learn more about the products that are coming up for the holiday season. This year London Drugs decided to add some lifestyle bloggers to the mix as well. The fact that London Drugs holds these kind of conferences really speaks to their commitment to provide a superior shopping experience, because the managers can take their knowledge and pass it on to their store staff and customers.
I learned so much not only about the products London Drugs sells, but its services and unique qualities. I want to share just a few.
The search bar on the London Drugs website is larger than you would find on other websites. Screenshot from website by Heidi Stobert.
Proudly Canadian: There is little doubt in my mind that people would argue against supporting local and Canadian business. London Drugs is 100% Canadian owned and has been since it opened in 1945. There are 78 locations across Western Canada and serves the whole country through its online services. You can learn more about their story here.
Awesome Online Shopping Options: The London Drugs website is one of the best online shopping sites I have seen. Products are sorted in an easy to find method and the search function operates fantastically. London Drugs has added a few little unique and fun touches to its online shopping experience. One of my fellow bloggers made a note to point out the almost comically large search bar when you use your desktop. When your order is fulfilled, you will receive a handwritten thank you note as well.
Same Day Pick-Up: Convenience and time are often what makes people turn to online shopping, but waiting for shipping has its own downfalls. London Drugs provides a free in-store pickup option to eliminate the disadvantages of both instore and online shopping. Place an order online (maybe during your lunch break from work) and have it ready to pick up from your preferred store location in as little as two hours (and sometimes even less!). You can learn more here.
Your One-Stop Shop: Before attending this conference, I had no idea of the variety and of the products that London Drugs sells. I only saw some of the general merchandise and cosmetics products, but some of the other products you can get there includes camera equipment, video games and a surprisingly large collection of vinyl. Some of the products that stood out to me from the conference were:
-
![The Scan N Cut was featured at the London Drugs conference in Whistler. Photo by Heidi Stobert.]()
The Scan N Cut was featured at the London Drugs conference in Whistler. Photo by Heidi Stobert.
Brother Scan N Cut: Of any product me and my fellow lifestyle bloggers saw, this one got all of us really excited. In summary, this machine allows you to scan in any picture you want and it cuts it out for you, in many options of materials. Crafters, scrap bookers, even costume makers would love this.
- Emani Vegan Cosmetics : London Drugs is one of the rare retailers that carries this line in their stores and online. As the name suggests, all products are made of vegan ingredients that are non-irritating to even the most sensitive skin types. Click here to learn more about their philosophy.
- Jordans Cereals: I might have an unhealthy obsession with cereal, so needless to say I got excited by some that I got to try out. I had the Chocolate Chip Morning Crisp, and not only is this stuff delicious, but it is also free of GMOs, and artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.
London Drugs has eight locations in Calgary and one in Airdrie, and as mentioned previously, an excellent website to shop at as well. You can follow London Drugs on Twitter and Facebook as well.
Do you shop at London Drugs? Tell me about your experiences on Twitter @Heidamazeballs or @CIAwesome.