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  4. We compared the shopping experience at the Walmart and Rite Aid pharmacies, and the drugstore chain came out on top

We compared the shopping experience at the Walmart and Rite Aid pharmacies, and the drugstore chain came out on top

First, we stopped by a Walmart Supercenter in Secaucus, New Jersey.

We compared the shopping experience at the Walmart and Rite Aid pharmacies, and the drugstore chain came out on top

The store was massive, but we eventually made our way to the pharmacy at the center of the store.

The store was massive, but we eventually made our way to the pharmacy at the center of the store.

This Walmart store is open 24 hours a day, but the pharmacy had set hours.

This Walmart store is open 24 hours a day, but the pharmacy had set hours.

The pharmacy section of the store was indicated by signs and a notable change in floor pattern. The light wood flooring clearly demarcated this section from the rest of the store.

The pharmacy section of the store was indicated by signs and a notable change in floor pattern. The light wood flooring clearly demarcated this section from the rest of the store.

The aisles in the pharmacy section were what you'd expect at any drugstore.

The aisles in the pharmacy section were what you

But the layout was a little confusing — they didn't have signs that told customers the contents of each aisle, so we sort of wandered around until we found what we were looking for.

But the layout was a little confusing — they didn

We eventually found a large selection of Advil ...

We eventually found a large selection of Advil ...

... as well as body wash for under $3 each.

... as well as body wash for under $3 each.

We also found a sizable cosmetics section ...

We also found a sizable cosmetics section ...

... though the nail polish section was looking rather weak at the time.

... though the nail polish section was looking rather weak at the time.

Some aisles had a button that allowed customers to call for assistance. This was useful, since some items were locked behind a glass case.

Some aisles had a button that allowed customers to call for assistance. This was useful, since some items were locked behind a glass case.

We couldn't figure out why this lip balm needed to be locked up.

We couldn

By the pharmacy line, there was a sign advertising the Walmart app, which helps customers manage and refill their prescriptions.

By the pharmacy line, there was a sign advertising the Walmart app, which helps customers manage and refill their prescriptions.

There was even a special line that seemed designated for customers who used the app.

There was even a special line that seemed designated for customers who used the app.

A lot of the over-the-counter medications were displayed in bulk quantities with giant price signs.

A lot of the over-the-counter medications were displayed in bulk quantities with giant price signs.

And for the most part, the items appeared to be going for a bargain.

And for the most part, the items appeared to be going for a bargain.

We found a machine that checks customers' body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure for free ...

We found a machine that checks customers

... as well as a Dr. Scholl's foot-mapping machine to create custom-fit arch support.

... as well as a Dr. Scholl

But in some areas of the pharmacy, it was hard not to notice the mess.

But in some areas of the pharmacy, it was hard not to notice the mess.

And many items seemed completely out of place in a drugstore, which wasn't surprising considering its location within a Walmart Supercenter.

And many items seemed completely out of place in a drugstore, which wasn

Overall, though Walmart had all the drugstore essentials, we weren't impressed with the organization or shopping experience. Still, we kept an open mind as we went on to the next destination.

Overall, though Walmart had all the drugstore essentials, we weren

Next up was a Rite Aid store in Manhattan's Financial District.

Next up was a Rite Aid store in Manhattan

The warm lighting in the store was an obvious contrast to the harsh fluorescent tones of Walmart. From its first impression, Rite Aid was already winning.

The warm lighting in the store was an obvious contrast to the harsh fluorescent tones of Walmart. From its first impression, Rite Aid was already winning.

A sign on the door showed the emphasis that the pharmacy placed on personal care and customer service. This was a theme that was evident throughout our whole experience.

A sign on the door showed the emphasis that the pharmacy placed on personal care and customer service. This was a theme that was evident throughout our whole experience.

The store entrance had a sign that listed the different wellness services offered, including immunizations and medication therapy management consultations.

The store entrance had a sign that listed the different wellness services offered, including immunizations and medication therapy management consultations.

We hit an island of refrigerated goods right away. It was filled with yogurts and prepared salads and wraps.

We hit an island of refrigerated goods right away. It was filled with yogurts and prepared salads and wraps.

We went to check out the rest of the store and were relieved to find clear and coherent signs that indicated the contents of each aisle.

We went to check out the rest of the store and were relieved to find clear and coherent signs that indicated the contents of each aisle.

The cosmetics section was overwhelming. There were dozens of options for every product.

The cosmetics section was overwhelming. There were dozens of options for every product.

And unlike at Walmart, the nail polish display was packed with colors.

And unlike at Walmart, the nail polish display was packed with colors.

We found a similarly vast selection of Advil in Rite Aid, and the prices were overall similar to Walmart's.

We found a similarly vast selection of Advil in Rite Aid, and the prices were overall similar to Walmart

Overall, the products sold at Rite Aid were also standard drugstore offerings. But we did find some less typical products as well. In one section, we found a shelf of scented candles.

Overall, the products sold at Rite Aid were also standard drugstore offerings. But we did find some less typical products as well. In one section, we found a shelf of scented candles.

We also found some wine for only $4.99.

We also found some wine for only $4.99.

Next, we made our way to the pharmacy.

Next, we made our way to the pharmacy.

Here we found a "higi" station that prompted customers to learn about diabetes.

Here we found a "higi" station that prompted customers to learn about diabetes.

We also found a table with useful information about vaccinations and certain medications.

We also found a table with useful information about vaccinations and certain medications.

Overall, Rite Aid seemed laser-focused on making the customer feel like they were taken care of in terms of health. There was information about different wellness services located throughout the store.

Overall, Rite Aid seemed laser-focused on making the customer feel like they were taken care of in terms of health. There was information about different wellness services located throughout the store.

However, there were certain sections of the store that seemed be in disarray.

However, there were certain sections of the store that seemed be in disarray.

But for the most part, the store seemed to care about being clean and organized. We even found these complimentary sanitizing wipes.

But for the most part, the store seemed to care about being clean and organized. We even found these complimentary sanitizing wipes.

It also seemed like fostering a friendly environment for customers was important to Rite Aid.

It also seemed like fostering a friendly environment for customers was important to Rite Aid.

From the store layout to the wellness services on offer, Rite Aid offered a personal customer experience that was unmatched by Walmart. This time, Rite Aid won us over as the superior drugstore.

From the store layout to the wellness services on offer, Rite Aid offered a personal customer experience that was unmatched by Walmart. This time, Rite Aid won us over as the superior drugstore.

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