Black Opal has stood the test of time

High Shine Lipgloss

by Megan Moyer, corporate marketing manager, as appeared in Inside Beauty for Drug Store News Black Opal (BLK/OPL) has been offering cosmetics targeted to black and brown skin tones for over three decades. “We are very proud that we have been in the space over 30 years,” said Desiree Rogers, CEO of BLK/OPL. “There are […]

Why Customer Service at Independent Pharmacies Truly Makes a Difference

low resource high impact scale

  By Holly Ockelmann, national account analyst, for the “Profits in the front end” blog series At independent pharmacies, customer service goes beyond simply filling prescriptions. It’s about creating meaningful connections with customers and understanding their unique needs. In an age where large chains often dominate the retail landscape, independent pharmacies stand out for the personal […]

Monthly Retailer Category Tips — First Aid

HRG first aid icon

by Kelly Zygowski, category analyst, part of Monthly  Retailer Category Tips Shine a light on the reasons customers should be stocking up on first aid products. A good way to promote first aid items is to remind customers that many products should be medicine cabinet mainstays — good to always have on hand for when the […]

Why Updating the Interior of Your Pharmacy is Essential for Success

HRG investment scale - high high

  By Cat Renwick, category analyst, for the “Profits in the front end” blog series A customer’s first impression is made within seven seconds of entering a store; within that short timeframe an initial opinion about your establishment and atmosphere will be made. At a time where customers are watching their dollars more closely and […]

Establish a strong web presence

Online social media, website, etc. concept

  By Noah Rosenthal, category analyst, for the Profits in the front end blog series    In an ever-changing healthcare environment, independent pharmacies face unique challenges to compete. Having a strong online presence can be crucial for your small business, allowing you to offer expanded options to engage and retain customers and stand out in a large […]

HRG Reviews 1,837 New HBW Items in 2024

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Waukesha, Wisconsin— February 12, 2025 — HRG’s new item review team, in its ongoing evaluation of products suitable for the independent pharmacy channel, examined 1,837 new health, beauty, and wellness (HBW) items in 2024. This is an increase of 12.4% from the 1,634 products reviewed in 2023. The increase is noteworthy as HBW item launches […]

What is self-care?

Self Care Series Wave 2 Mental -- Gift baskets

by Megan Moyer, corporate marketing manager, as appeared in Inside Beauty for Drug Store News While there are general definitions of self-care, ultimately, individuals define it for themselves. Several years ago, pre-pandemic, HRG built a Self-care Roadmap with the former trade organization GMDC (Global Market Development Center), to provide retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers insight into shopper behaviors […]

Monthly Retailer Category Tips — Hair Care

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Make the most of your hair care department with these tips! by Cat Renwick, category analyst, part of Monthly  Retailer Category Tips If you don’t have much space to devote to a full-size hair care department, be sure to at least stock the Never Outs® for this category. Never Outs is HRG’s designation for products […]