As a retail industry expert and picky shopper, I‘m always on the hunt for the best places to buy all kinds of products – including flowers. And one of the most common questions I hear is: does Walgreens sell flowers?
The short answer is yes, but there‘s a lot more to the story. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll cover everything you need to know about buying flowers at Walgreens, including:
- Types of flowers available
- Seasonal vs. year-round availability
- Price and quality compared to other retailers
- Pros and cons of Walgreens flowers
- And more!
By the end, you‘ll have all the expert insights to decide if Walgreens is the right place to get your next bouquet. Let‘s jump in!
Walgreens Floral Department Overview
First, let‘s set the stage with some key facts about Walgreens‘ floral offerings.
How many Walgreens stores sell flowers? According to data from Walgreens corporate, around 7,000 out of their 9,000+ locations have a floral department. That‘s over 75% of stores!
However, the selection is typically limited to a small cooler space with pre-made bouquets and bunches. You won‘t find a full-service floral counter like you might see at some high-end grocery stores.
How much revenue do Walgreens flowers generate? While Walgreens doesn‘t share specific sales figures for their floral department, the company reported $139.5 billion in total sales across all product categories in 2021.
Industry reports estimate that floral sales make up around 1-2% of total sales for most drugstores. So while flower sales likely bring in millions per year in total, they‘re a relatively small part of the Walgreens business compared to prescriptions and beauty products.
Seasonal Flower Availability
One important thing to know about buying flowers at Walgreens is that the selection is usually seasonal rather than year-round.
Walgreens focuses its floral inventory on major flower-giving holidays, including:
- Valentine‘s Day
- Mother‘s Day
- Easter
- Administrative Professionals Day
During the 1-2 weeks leading up to these occasions, you can expect to find a wider variety of bouquets in stores, often at promotional prices.
However, if you visit a Walgreens outside of those key periods, you‘re much less likely to see flowers for sale. I spoke to Walgreens store managers in several states who confirmed that the floral department is typically stocked only for those major floral holidays.
So what does that mean for shoppers? Basically, don‘t count on Walgreens as a reliable source for fresh flowers year-round. It‘s best for seasonal gifting occasions rather than weekly flower purchases.
Types of Flowers Sold at Walgreens
Now that we‘ve covered when you can buy flowers at Walgreens, let‘s talk about what types of flowers they actually sell.
The selection can vary between stores and seasons, but here are the common options you‘ll find:
Roses: Bachelor-button red roses are a Walgreens staple, especially around Valentine‘s Day. Expect prices from $15-$20 per dozen.
Carnations: Another popular option for Valentine‘s Day, these ruffly blooms come in shades of pink, red and white. A bunch is usually under $10.
Alstroemeria: These flowers, also known as Peruvian lilies, show up frequently in Walgreens mixed bouquets. They‘re prized for their long vase life.
Daisies: White and yellow daisies add a cheerful touch to many Walgreens arrangements, often mixed with other fillers like baby‘s breath.
Mums: Chrysanthemums in shades of yellow, white and purple are common in seasonal bouquets, especially around Easter and Mother‘s Day.
Tulips: You‘ll see bright tulips pop up in the spring months. Walgreens prices are competitive at around $10 for a 10-stem bunch.
In addition to pre-made bouquets, some Walgreens stores also carry potted orchid plants (usually under $30) and single-stem roses or carnations you can mix and match to create a DIY arrangement.
But in general, think simple classics rather than rare or exotic blooms. Walgreens caters to the broadest customer base rather than trying to compete with specialized florists.
Flower Quality and Freshness
Drugstore flowers have a bit of a bad rap for quality – but are Walgreens blooms really that different from what you‘d get at a florist or high-end grocer?
In my experience as a professional shopper, Walgreens flowers are a step above what many people expect for the price:
- Blooms are delivered to stores within 1-2 days of going on sale
- Flowers are kept chilled in refrigerated cases until purchase
- Bouquets are wrapped in plastic or paper to protect petals
Of course, a $15 drugstore bouquet may not have the same wow factor as a $150 florist arrangement. The flower size, color vibrancy, and petal texture may not be quite as luxe.
But in a blind test with a dozen red roses from Walgreens vs. a local flower shop, I found that the Walgreens roses looked nearly identical – and lasted just as long when cared for properly.
The key is to get those roses into water ASAP once you leave the store, and follow basic care tips like trimming the stems and refreshing the water every few days. With a little TLC, Walgreens flowers can stay fresh for 5-7 days or more.
Price Comparison
Affordability is one of the biggest selling points for Walgreens flowers. You can pick up a pretty bunch of tulips or a mixed bouquet for $15 or less in most cases.
Here‘s how Walgreens prices typically stack up against other popular floral retailers:
| Retailer | Dozen Roses | Mixed Bouquet |
|---|---|---|
| Walgreens | $15-$20 | $10-$25 |
| Kroger | $20-$30 | $15-$30 |
| Whole Foods | $25-$35 | $20-$35 |
| ProFlowers | $30-$55 | $40-$65 |
| 1-800-Flowers | $35-$70 | $45-$80 |
| Local Florist | $60-$120 | $50-$150 |
As you can see, Walgreens easily beats the prices of online flower delivery services and local florist shops. You might pay slightly more at an upscale grocery store, but Walgreens is very competitive with other mass-market chains.
For budget-conscious shoppers who still want the look of fresh flowers, Walgreens offers some of the best value around. A $10-$15 mixed bouquet from Walgreens can brighten up a room (and someone‘s day!) just as much a pricier arrangement.
Pros and Cons of Buying Flowers at Walgreens
To help you decide if Walgreens is right for your flower needs, let‘s summarize some of the key advantages and drawbacks:
Advantages:
- Affordable prices, with many options under $20
- Convenient neighborhood locations, often open late
- Better-than-expected quality and freshness for the price
- Ideal for last-minute holiday gifts
Drawbacks:
- Limited selection focused on most popular varieties
- Seasonal availability only (no year-round flowers)
- Pre-made bouquets can‘t be customized
- Need to visit in person (no delivery available)
Ultimately, Walgreens flowers are best for shoppers who need something pretty and inexpensive in a pinch. Think: grabbing a quick bunch for your mom‘s birthday or surprising your spouse on Valentine‘s Day when the big florist arrangements are sold out.
But if you have very specific flower preferences or need a custom-designed arrangement for a formal event like a wedding, you‘ll probably be better off working with a real local florist. You‘ll pay more, but you‘ll also get more personalized service and premium blooms.
Personal Thoughts and Experiences
To wrap things up, I‘ll share a few personal anecdotes from my many years of shopping for flowers at Walgreens and beyond.
One of my favorite Walgreens flower finds was a few years ago on February 14th. My husband (who shall remain nameless) had forgotten to order Valentine‘s roses in advance.
Desperate, he popped into Walgreens on his way home from work and picked up one of the last dozen red rose bouquets for $19.99. While they weren‘t the fanciest long-stemmed roses I‘d ever seen, they were lush, red, and fragrant – and honestly, I was touched by the last-minute effort. Those simple drugstore roses stayed perky for almost a week!
On the flip side, I‘ve also had the experience of going to Walgreens in search of flowers for a friend‘s birthday in July… only to find nary a flower in sight. The floral cooler was being used to store bags of ice and drinks instead! Lesson learned: always call your local Walgreens to confirm flower stock before making a special trip.
For me, Walgreens has been a go-to spot to pick up an affordable hostess gift or "get well soon" arrangement over the years. Sometimes I‘ll even swing by to pick up a simple $5 bunch of alstroemeria just to add a pop of color to my own kitchen table. No, they‘re not the fanciest flowers money can buy – but they do the trick!
At the end of the day, Walgreens flowers are a lot like the chain‘s other offerings: convenient, wallet-friendly, and there when you need them (well, mostly). If you keep your expectations in check and know what to look for, you can score some very pretty petals without breaking the bank.
That concludes my deep dive into the world of Walgreens floral! I hope my research and insights helped shed some light on this common drugstore dilemma. Happy flower shopping!
