Walgreens Saves Millions of Dollars by Optimizing Store Operations with Zebra

Zebra Technologies announced that the Walgreens Boots Alliance has optimized its operations with Zebra Workcloud Actionable Intelligence software to save millions of dollars by enhancing operational compliance and the company’s ability to identify and combat shrink.

Walgreens, a Chicago-based international pharmacy retailer, selected Zebra’s Modern Store framework to improve asset protection, better equip employees with technology, and optimize operational visibility in their network of 8,000 locations across 50 states.

As an essential retailer carrying critical healthcare products and prescription medications, Walgreens needed an intuitive analytics solution to uncover issues and resolve areas of loss in real time.

“Recognizing the advantages of today’s digital technologies, we implemented Zebra’s leading-edge software and hardware solutions to streamline our operations and better support our employees and customers,” said Tim Bailey, senior manager, Asset Protection Solutions, Walgreens Boots Alliance. “The integration of Zebra’s solutions has yielded positive outcomes, empowering our business with tools to enhance associate engagement, improve inventory accuracy, and elevate the customer experience.”

In addition to Workcloud Actionable Intelligence, Walgreens is using Workcloud Task Management and Workcloud Demand Intelligence software to reduce total retail loss, enhance task management, and optimize inventory.

Moreover, Walgreens is leveraging Zebra’s modular software compatibility with Zebra’s hardware. Most of the workforce and task management features are integrated with Zebra TC52 mobile computers and wearables, working in concert with Zebra’s DS3608/MP7000 scanners and ZT610/ZT620 printers.

“Walgreens is enhancing its business processes with Zebra’s comprehensive Workcloud Software suite and hardware solutions,” said Suresh Menon, SVP and GM, Software Solutions, Zebra Technologies. “We are committed to helping retailers like Walgreens work in new ways with technology to modernize operations, increase accountability and visibility, and equip associates with actionable intelligence for better business outcomes and savings.”

The deployment of Zebra’s Workcloud Actionable Intelligence resulted in a net gain of millions of dollars over five years and has benefited 20,000 associates companywide, including asset protection, store operations, pharmacy managers and inventory specialists. Workcloud Actionable Intelligence further enabled Walgreens to tackle phantom inventory, shelf gaps, fraud detection, and high shrink rates from markdown non-compliance, reducing waste by 27%.