My name is Kate Stendler, and I’m a commercialization manager at Walgreens. I started at the company in 2018 as a merchandising assistant for our skincare and cosmetics lines, and later became an associate manager for the Walgreens brand personal care products. Today I am on the team in charge of our owned brand grocery and household products, including our PetShoppe line for our four-legged customers and their owners.
Commercialization in a nutshell
I grew up in Milwaukee and attended college at the University of Wisconsin-Stout to study fashion, specifically fashion construction and design. After discovering my lack of sewing skills—very crucial in constructing fashion—I realized my strong math and analytical aptitudes could be a perfect fit for the planning side of the industry.
Today I can proudly say that my assumption was correct; commercialization—the process of introducing new products to the market—melds my analytical strengths with my love for fashion, design and creativity. In my current role, I travel along a product’s journey from start to finish. I analyze industry trends and consumers’ needs and wants, and I research how to deliver on these desires through quality products that offer maximum benefits at a fair, competitive price. My team and I then work with our suppliers to bring our ideas to life, ensuring the final results meet our customers’ discerning tastes and unwavering expectations.
Once the merchandise is on the shelves at Walgreens stores and at Walgreens.com, I meticulously analyze data to determine inventory levels, opportunities to strengthen our product lines and much more, all in the name of delivering what our customers need at the exact moment they need it, and in the most convenient way possible. In my view, commercialization goes beyond creativity—it’s art styled by strategy, evaluation, experimentation, feedback, refinement and reporting.
Pets: A lifelong love
I grew up in a large, seven-person family. To add to the craziness of our household, we had two dogs and three cats who found their home with us in some unique ways. My dad and I found one of my cats at a local hardware store—we walked in to get some items for our house and noticed a box of kittens by the front counter. We ended up coming home with a box of nails and a new kitten. (Since it
was right around my birthday, I suspect my dad was much more involved in the serendipity than he lets on.) Our other family cat was found at a pumpkin farm when we noticed a crate in the barn with a sign, “Free kitten.”. The streak continued when I was in college and a random guy with a cat walked up to me and asked if I wanted it—I couldn’t say no.
Today I only have one pet, a black labrador and Pyrenees mix named Betty, who also found me through sheer fate. I was chatting with my category manager when she mentioned her parents’ farm dog unexpectedly delivered a litter of puppies—surprise! It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and my husband, Ryan, and I both agreed it was the perfect time to add a new member. Ever since, Betty has been a part of our family, now a crew of four since the arrival of my daughter, Louisa, seven months ago.
The PetShoppe difference
In 2024, the PetShoppe line underwent a redesign to strengthen our offering for pets and clearly communicate to customers what products are meant for which pets, along with the benefits and values. I appreciate this experience above the rest in my career so far, and I value all the thought my team and I placed into the products. Everything from the pet images on the packaging, to the fonts, colors and materials were carefully selected.
The next time you’re in the pet aisle at Walgreens, notice how the imagery conveys wholesome, outdoor environments and how the color coding is specific to each protein type. Every pet product you see on the shelves at Walgreens was given much thought, research and consideration to ensure we deliver the best, healthy and safe foods, treats, toys and necessities for our four-legged family members. My entire team is diligent in our work, and we are beyond thrilled to give pet owners options we are proud of.
Working with pet products has been my favorite category, and it is definitely Betty’s favorite since she assists with a lot of product testing and feedback. For most pet owners, our pets are a part of the family. They provide support and comfort when we’re feeling down, they offer unconditional love, protection and joy. For some pet owners like me, they serve as our most trusted and attentive confidants—I tell Betty everything and she’s never repeated a word to anyone. “Where people love pets,” is PetShoppe’s tagline. I can undeniably confirm that it’s the absolute truth; I belong with this product line.
My top three PetShoppe product picks
1. PetShoppe Puppy Pads – These are the top product in our line and loved by Walgreens customers since they offer convenience at a great price.
2. Betty loves the chicken jerky for its flavor, and I love it because it is the best value for a healthy treat in the market—you can’t beat the 32 oz.
3. The PetShoppe Flamingo Dog Toy is our best seller. It’s a durable, exciting toy that withstands a lot of play and only costs $4.99 to replace. Both Betty and I love the flamingo.
