Jim Cramer recently had to give up in his quest to buy toothpaste in New York City. The CNBC host sought his favorite brand, Sensodyne. Dentists recommend Sensodyne for sensitive teeth. Furthermore, Sensodyne offers the benefits of a regular toothpaste. For example, cavity protection and a fresh taste. It is obvious why Cramer prefers this daily tooth cleaning product.
Duane Reade Lockup
The CNBC host reported spending five minutes waiting for Sensodyne before calling it quits. Cramer shared a photo on Twitter. Specifically, the photo shows the toothpaste locked up.
The “Mad Money” host isn’t the only person with this experience. MSNBC host Al Sharpton reported difficulty purchasing toothpaste at Duane Reade in New York City.
“You go into a local pharmacy, a Duane Reade or Rite Aid, you got to get some help to assist you,” Sharpton said. “They have the little button, they get the buzzer and the guy comes over and unlocks your toothpaste. I mean we are talking about basic stuff here.”
Al Sharpton,via The New York Post, February 9, 2022
Jim Cramer tried the buzzer at Duane Reade. The “Squawk on the Street” host tweets it is “worthless”.
Douglas Murray writes in the New York Post that it can be mystifying what is locked up at Duane Reade.
“I can confirm Al Sharpton’s observation that almost all toothpaste in this city is now locked behind plastic guards. Strangely, however, in my local Duane Reade, the toothbrushes are not. Who are the thieves who covet toothpaste but not an accompanying brush? It is hard to know.”
Douglas Murray, The New York Post, February 10, 2022
Furthermore, Murray writes about the potential embarrassment if he buzzed for access to Zyrexin. The Post opinion scribe describes the product as the “world’s strongest enhancer”. He writes in the Post he “would have died of embarrassment long before the store assistant ever emerged.”
Elsewhere in the store, Murray sees laundry detergent locked up “like Fort Knox”. Meanwhile, “cheap” anti-dandruff shampoo and razors are behind lock and key.
“Not my drugstore”
Duane Reade has a city-centric slogan- “Your city. Your drugstore.” However, CNBC’s Cramer tweeted, “my city, not my drugstore”.
Walgreens bought Duane Reade in 2010 to expand its presence in the city. At the time, Duane Reade had 150 stores in Manhattan. Only the Starbucks and Subway chains had more stores in Manhattan.
Cramer evidently eventually ordered his toothpaste on Amazon. Also, he tweeted, “Is it possible the drug stores have lost sales to Amazon because so much is under lock and key?” Amazon also allows Cramer to create a subscription to Sensodyne. For example, the toothpaste can be scheduled to ship every four months.
The CNBC stock expert is spending more time around the Financial District. His signature show, “Mad Money”, now broadcasts from the The New York Stock Exchange.
A blog called “I Hate Duane Reade: Service from Hell” apparently ceased publishing in 2011. Furthermore, the blogger’s last tweet was sent in 2009. However, we’re left wondering how they would cover the chain’s locked up merchandise in 2022.
