A few weeks ago, while surfing the online entertainment sites, I somehow got looped into watching a video for Drake’s newest release – Started From the Bottom.
(I’ve linked the video instead of embedding it here because, let’s be honest, it’s Drake… and the lyrics are slightly explicit for delicate ears. Plus, I can’t understand half of what he says.)
Since it’s Drake and I have incredible respect for anyone from Toronto who’s made it to the big leagues, I paused to watch the video. In it, he pays homage to his days back in TO, including playing indoor soccer and working as a night manager at Shoppers Drug Mart.
After a good chuckle, I closed down the video and then took to Twitter to see what people were saying about it, because I’m curious like that. However, I was astonished at how many US media outlets were crediting “Walmart”, “variety stores” and “a Big Box Retailer” as the scene of Drake’s part-time job. DUDE! I recognized SDM the second I saw the uniform – never mind the tell-tale Life Brand product prominently featured by one discerning customer!
And so I did the only thing I could do – I set the record straight on Twitter. You’re welcome, Shoppers Drug Mart.
However, I soon realized that I was getting hot under the collar over a store that frankly, I hadn’t visited in months. How could a brand, so synonymous with Canadiana that I immediately recognized an employee uniform – have slipped off my radar for so long? I suppose, when it comes down to it, I’ve been lured by the convenience of the big boxes here in Canada; the chance to get everything in one place. And while I fill every prescription at SDM, I haven’t poked around there for quite a while. So, I decided to pay them a visit.
Yes, folks – it’s another installment of “Let’s Go Shopping With Lena!”
Ryder and I arrived at Shoppers Drugmart today to find the parking lot fairly empty – for the city, at 3:00pm on a Sunday afternoon – this was definitely not the norm. Doesn’t anyone get sick anymore? Come on, we’ve still got at least 4 weeks left in flu season! I’m thinking everyone was at home getting settled for the Oscars red carpet show (we were headed there immediately after our little pit stop!).
As soon as we entered the store, we were greeted by SDM’s HUGE cosmetics area. Without a word of lie, it seems even larger than the last time I popped in. With a wall of fragrances (very Sephora-ish) and a veritable cornucopia of beauty brands, a gal could literally spend hours here. Bonus points to Shoppers Drug Mart for carrying premium brands like Benefit Cosmetics, Givenchy, Chanel Fragrance, Lise Watier, Smashbox and more. Their very lovely cosmetician Kamilla was knowledgeable about makeup – and great with kids too! Ryder loved her.
Kamilla and I had an in-depth chat about eyebrows – which ended with me pulling out various pictures of my favourite eyebrow “looks”. You see, she had complimented me on my brows, but since I was just running to the drugstore, they were hardly groomed. Now I couldn’t stand it if she didn’t know just how awesome my brows are – when I fill them in, comb them in place and sculpt them – so yes, I whipped out a few iPhone photos. Yes, I may have issues.
Anyhoo, all this eyebrow talk made me realize that I was due for a new eyebrow pencil. Here it is, ladies! The pencil that makes the magic happen.
Next, I hope Shoppers Drug Mart is paying their employees well, because it seems like the entire store is on sale. I don’t envy the employee who has to affix all these sale tickets! Shelves and shelves with nothing but red tickets. If I knew that SDM had such competitive prices, I’d shop here more often. For real.
Included in the sale were Gerber Crunchies. Ryder, although he’ll be 5 in just over two months, is addicted to these things. To tell the truth, so am I – they’re like healthy Cheetos! But they come with a steep price tag – about $3 for a small tin. So as a general rule, I only buy them on sale. Looks like it’s Ryder’s lucky day.
Shoppers Drug Mart’s seasonal section takes on a distinctive “Hallmark” feel with their premium pre-wrapped confectioneries. The entire aisle is incredibly well-stocked and it took much bribing to get Ryder out of there without him adding Easter-themed goodies to our shopping basket. Not pictured: a steady rotation of 4-5 SDM employees who were continually stocking the shelves. Looks like Sunday afternoons is their scheduled re-facing of the store.
Finally, a picture of the place that made Shoppers Drug Mart famous: their pharmacy. There was quite the queue of customers before I left – thanking my lucky stars that I don’t need that particular service today. Stay healthy, peeps!
So, what did I learn from my impromptu visit to Shoppers Drug Mart?
1. It is a beauty and cosmetics mecca. For a wide selection of products at a variety of prices, it’s worth exploring. Will definitely return to spend more time poking around.
2. The sales are a-plenty, and throughout the store. Combine that with Shopper Optimum Points, and suddenly it makes a lot of sense to shop there.
3. If you’re looking for great service, go on a Sunday afternoon. There were quite a few employees on the floor restocking, remodeling and otherwise hanging around.
4. Shoppers Drug Mart is much cooler in my eyes since Drizzy dropped his track.
For more pictures of my trip to Shoppers Drug Mart, be sure to check out my Google + Album. Are you a regular SDM shopper? Why or why not?
…I shop there all the time…I love the Optimum point system…When something is on sale and I have a coupon and I get points…Sweet !!!
I really have to look into Optimum points – I have the feeling I’m really missing out!
Now to turn you into an Optimum point addict to make the prices even better!
Indeed! I love rewards cards and collecting points – may just have to grab a card!
Great post! I always like coming shopping with you!
:) Thanks Alexandra!
1. I LOVE Drake 2. I LOVE SDM! I especially love how they have expanded their beauty department! 3. I LOVE your tweet! It’s perfect! You tell ’em Lena!
Haha thanks Jenny! Their beauty department is MASSIVE – I need to go back without my little guy so I can hang around for a bit!
I LOVE Shoppers too – having one next door to my work and minutes away from home, I often make quick trips there.. I have to say, I love the fact they carry some products at a portion of the price that I can buy at Sephora. The beauty dept has really really stepped up its game!
Ooooh – cheaper than Sephora! Thanks for the tip! As I’ve mentioned, I need to go on a fact-discovering mission!
We have to get you an Optimum card Lena!! Then you’ll see what all the fuss is about. The points really add up and you can earn double the amount on special shopping days!
Okay, okay, I think I need this!! LOL
I love Drake, however the bottom is coming “straight outta Burketon”
Uh huh. Nice try, husband.
I love SDM and I’m also a previous employee, albeit one not as famous as Drake. I personally find them a bit pricey to shop there regularly, but I agree that they have great sales.
LOL you may not be as famous as Drake, but I’m sure your customers loved you :)
I am at Shoppers 2 – 3 times a week for hitting the baby aisle and dairy aisle everytime (I know dairy and baby – can you tell I’m a Mom?!). I love that I can get all my essentials and more in one place.
Good to know, Caroline! And you’re right – they’re so much more than a pharmacy, aren’t they?
I have just begun sculpting my brows. It’s a bit of a hit and miss thing for me because I get distracted and start drawing them in really heavy and then have to add a mustache to match. I am learning though.Love SDM.
Oh, I love it Julia! You will get the hang of it quickly, and then you’ll wonder how you ever lived without eyebrow pencil!!
I buy most of my cosmetics from Shoppers since they carry more and better brands than Walmart. I also check out their flyer and quite often they have really good sales. It’s also great to shop on a day when they offer extra Optimum points when you buy certain things or spend a certain amount. Plus it’s not so crowded like Walmart always is!
It looks like you’ve got great reasons for shopping at SDM, Mandy! Good call!
I too love Optimum points. I save them up and have redeemed for bigger ticket items – cameras, lap top, Nintendo DS etc
I still can’t get over the fact that you can buy a LAPTOP at Shoppers Drug Mart! So crazy!
I do shop at Shopper’s. Mostly for the cosmetics, I love that they have the quality brands with the “bonus” buys!! They also have great sales…AND.. in our town there is food like eggs etc…which is perfect for those “I forgot to buy…” moments!
Great point Inez – I forgot that they do have a refrigerated section where you can pick up those “forgot to buy” items. And love that you wait for the makeup bonus!
Shoppers is the only retail store in my town that I can find Jerome Russell Punky Gel hair colour. Cheaper and faster than trying to buy it online. Shop SDM fools! lol!!!
LOL!! Okay now I’m going to have to try some of this Jerome Russell Punky Gel hair colour. I just Googled it!
I love Drake. It was funny how people didn’t know it was in Shoppers Drug Mart.
Mostly US folks, Tanisa. Although a quick Google check would have pointed them to SDM, ha!
I like our shoppers, but I find that regular items like a Dove shampoo is $3.99 there and $3.49 everywhere else regular price.
But when you find things on sale they’re often stock up prices.
I found Marc Antony Shampoo for $2.99 once, and last week I found the big tubs of Sour Cream for $1.02 and they weren’t close to their expiry date either. So proud of myself! I made perogies to celebrate.
Marc Anthony for $2.99? That’s a steal! And I love that you made perogies to celebrate a sour cream sale. Too funny!
I really love going to Shoppers especially the big ones with the cosmetic section like the one pictured above. Shoppers has really stepped up! I spend a lot of time cruising the cosmetics section cuz I am a junkie over girlie stuff. The perfumes, makeups and skin care products are just so wonderful. I love saving up my Optimum points and using them on special event days. Reading this post and looking at all your pictures makes me think that it is time to spend an hour or two tomorrow at Shoppers!
I too am a girly stuff junkie! I think that’s why I love strolling through SDM too.
I love Shopper’s! I have been filling my prescriptions there for years…they know me by name!
That’s SO nice, it’s like the good old days!
Your son Ryder is quite the ladies’ man! :)
Hahaha he definitely is!
hahaha i recognised it was from SDM right off the bat! I spend way too much time in SDM and I’ve been collecting optimum points since hmm 2004? 2005? Never redeemed them though. i’m waiting for the mega redemption event!
Oooh, you’ll have to let me know what you redeem from the MEGA redemption event, Sarah!
Ha! This is such a great post! :) I’m a little addicted to Shoppers!
Based on the comments, I think a lot of people are!
hehe i hardly understand Drake sometimes too but it is funny to see the swarm of people commenting on how SDM is now “so cool” and US people didn’t understand where he was working. I mean being Canadian the SDM uniform is almost iconic (maybe i’m pushing it lol!) so I recognized it right away.. it’s nice of him to promote!
No, no – you’re not pushing it – the SDM uniform IS iconic!
I shop at SDM all the time! We have one in the same building at my work and there’s 3 stores nearby my house! I thought the video was hilarious
Wow, that’s a lot of SDMs! Happy to hear you have a great selection that’s close by.
Good Ole SDM! I’m still laughing at your tweet!
Haha thanks Alisha! Had to do it!
Wow SDM in Drake’s video. Achievement!
OR… Drake working at SDM. Achievement! LOL
I have yet to watch that Drake video but I love how he never* forgets his hometown and country (unlike some people *cough cough Justin Bieber – well, just a little bit)
I know what you mean, Joann. I always had this fantasy that if I ever made it big I would give a shout out to Toronto every chance I got. Still waiting on the making it big thing, though…
I didn’t even know that drake used to work at shoppers! hah, that’s cool. been loving shopping there lately even though the regular prices are kind of ridiculous, some sale prices are a bargain!
Carizza, I don’t think anyone did until they saw the video!! I’m beginning to realize that I should be consulting the SDM flyer more often!
Too funny Lena! Yes, love me my Shopper’s! lol
Happy to hear that Rhonda!
I don’t live near one
Thanks for such a great read, I work for Shoppers and it was nice to hear that someone like you talking about the store.
P.S. I hate putting up the sale tages