When brands think about retail execution, mass retailers like Walmart and Target often dominate the conversation—and for good reason. But some of the biggest share gains and growth opportunities sit within the more operationally constrained and often under-supported worlds of drug, dollar, and club channels.
Each of these formats comes with its own set of challenges, shaped by shopper habits, in-store operations, and varying levels of retail control. Winning across these environments requires audit strategies and execution plans that are tailored to the nuances of each channel.
In this blog, we’ll break down:
Chains like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid typically run smaller-format stores with rapid product turnover and limited space for secondary placements. These retailers are highly structured, which can limit store-level flexibility and delay on-the-ground adjustments.
Pro tip: Even a 10-minute mystery shopper visit can confirm compliance in 20+ key categories. These “lite audits” allow you to scale visibility across the full fleet without overloading budgets.
Chains like Dollar General, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree have expanded aggressively and become high-velocity channels for value-driven CPG products. But store-level execution often suffers due to lean staffing, operational constraints, and rapid growth.
Why it matters: Dollar stores often dominate in underserved or rural markets. Visibility here ensures your brand remains present and available to price-sensitive, impulse-driven shoppers.
With retailers like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s, brands operate in a highly curated environment—few SKUs, limited facings, and strict merchandising standards. At Costco in particular, brands often have limited influence once the product hits the floor, and execution success relies heavily on warehouse staff and early-stage coordination.
Key insight: At club, it’s not about a wide assortment—it’s about getting execution right. A single pallet error can erase weeks of promotional planning. Early detection through focused audits helps brands escalate fast and protect volume.
Regardless of channel, here are a few universal truths we’re seeing from the best execution teams:
✅ Adapt audit depth and frequency by store type. Make checklists actionable, tailored, and aligned to each retailer’s operating model.
✅ Leverage crowdsourcing to supplement coverage. With thousands of stores and limited field bandwidth, flexible audit models help cover more ground without overstretching budgets.
✅ Tie audits to other data sources. Layering audit findings with shipment, POS, and digital shelf data gives brands a more credible, complete view of execution—and helps justify next steps with retail partners.
Winning in mass retail is only part of the picture. Drug, dollar, and club channels operate on different rules, and demand different approaches.
Want to know how execution gaps in these channels could be affecting revenue?
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Execution isn’t static—and it isn’t perfect. But with channel-specific audits, smart coverage strategies, and connected data, brands can stay ahead of the gaps and show up where it counts.
Right place. Right way. Right time.