by Jenny Kosek Attention medicated skincare manufacturers:You don’t get female consumers. Well, acne product manufacturers might. Visit the website of any of the major acne treatment lines, and you’ll see attractive, fresh-faced, smiling young people cavorting about, proud to show their acne-free faces in public after using the advertised product. There are positive tips and tricks … Read More
Carolina in my mind
posted by Dave Wendland If a major retail drug chain wants to enter a state with a strong pharmacy base without organically growing market share, the best way to achieve it is to acquire one of the area’s foremost regional drug chains. That’s precisely what happened as Kerr Drug struck a deal to become part … Read More
Don’t let the forest block your view of the trees
by Amy Kasza I once worked with a small manufacturing account that was new to the OTC field. They had big dreams, like most brands. In their minds’ eye, they saw multiple facings of their blockbuster product on every Wal-mart, Walgreens, Target, and CVS shelf from coast to coast. So convinced of their product’s value to … Read More
Some products make it, some fail
by Megan Moyer I consider myself an early adopter when it comes to personal care items, so working at HRG might be viewed as my destiny. Believe it or not, our analysts reviewed an average of 205 new HBW products each month in 2012. There are always new products coming to market that I probably need … Read More
Superhero status
by Dave Wendland You won’t find them in capes, leaping tall buildings, or catching bullets in mid-air, but these white-coated professionals are indeed healthcare superheroes. And I believe the role of the pharmacist in the United States is about to become more pronounced. Healthcare reform is dictating the need for front-line healthcare professionals to guide consumer … Read More
Ye olde marketing is still good marketing
by Jenny Kosek Ever been to a Renaissance Faire? Every summer, I am among the fearless and dorky who don upholstery fabric and corsetry to enjoy a day of contrived historical fantasy at my local faire. One of the main attractions of any such festival is the many vendors who set up shop to sell … Read More
The Fresh Revolution
by Jenny Kosek Like so many communities, we have an omnipresent grocery chain in our area that, quite simply, everyone shops at. You know the one: the chain with an inescapable number of locations, the chain so ubiquitous that when people say, “I’m going to the grocery store,” there’s no question which grocery store they’re headed … Read More
You can’t put lipstick on a pig — or false claims on your product.
by Dave Wendland A phrase common in the car sales industry used to describe taking a hunk of junk, brushing on a fresh coat of paint, and selling it for full price may also apply to the consumer healthcare market. Although consumers are savvy shoppers, they may be fooled into believing that the claims on certain … Read More
How is your brand holding up?
by Megan Moyer At what point in its lifecycle is your product? Introduction, growth, maturity, or decline? If you’re in maturity or decline, it may be time to conduct a brandformation – an assessment of consumer perception of your brand. Once you’ve reached the maturity stage, that’s the time to explore how consumers view the brand … Read More
Shoppers with young children want a Children’s Care category
by Jen Johnston When I was the mother of a newborn, I appreciated drug chains that had a baby care category. I mean, I really, really appreciated it. And what mother wouldn’t? It’s not particularly easy to shop with a newborn in tow, so having the diapers, shampoo, baby food, and pacifiers in one aisle … Read More