73. Plan Ahead

By Brittany Benson for our “99 Ways to Make a Positive Difference in Your Pharmacy” blog series   I love to plan things out. My whole life I’ve enjoyed the intricate puzzle of how things fit together and how I can make it all happen. The problem is that when I combine all the ideas of things I want … Read more

13. Develop a customer profile

By Julie Bonnell for our “99 Ways to Make a Positive Difference in Your Pharmacy” blog series The better you know your customer the better you can customize your products and services to gain and retain business.  Here is one easy way to gain insight into your customers: At the checkout, affix a large map of the community you … Read more

10. Independent Pharmacies and Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs

Your Future’s So Bright You Gotta Wear (Lamp) Shades By Tom Y.  for our “99 Ways to Make a Positive Difference in Your Pharmacy” blog series So your independent pharmacy has done an amazing job of keeping your customers out of the dark by utilizing the best-in-industry merchandising and pricing intelligence – powered by HRG. Merchandising, pricing, and your customers … Read more

For every season

By Kyle Lentz For many people, the transition from winter to spring is a joyous occasion. For others, it’s the start of three months of agony with sneezing; coughing; itchy, watery eyes; sinus pain; runny nose or unbearable congestion. Yes, it’s “allergy season” again folks, so bear down as your coworker stuffs tissue up her … Read more

35. Answer the phone professionally

By Barb G.  for our “99 Ways to Make a Positive Difference in Your Pharmacy” blog series How do you create a consistent and positive impression when your customers call? By answering the phone professionally. First, answering the phone within three rings shows your customer you are respectful of their time. Create a tag line to be used by … Read more

18. Delegate responsibility

By Mary Hart  for our “99 Ways to Make a Positive Difference in Your Pharmacy” blog series Delegate responsibility responsibly! Have you used any of these excuses to NOT delegate work? I can do it better myself. I don’t know if I can trust her to do it. He isn’t qualified to do it. She doesn’t want any added responsibilities. … Read more

The professional pharmacist

By Dave Wendland Recent legislation enacted in California and the current movement within Washington, DC is moving the pharmacist closer and closer to becoming appropriately recognized as a “healthcare professional.” “But wait, Dave, everyone knows they are healthcare professionals. They are the most accessible, trusted, and well-educated among others that operate in the healthcare continuum.” … Read more

A new tool for your business

Posted by Megan Moyer I’m excited to direct your attention to a new e-book from Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. that we authored, that offers ideas and actions you can take to boost your business. The e-book is titled “Community Pharmacy: Foundation for the Future,” and it is a 30-page guide to improving your marketing strategies and some of … Read more

Baby boomer women are a unique set of shoppers

by Jenny Kosek

Baby boomer women aged 50+ own more than three fourths of our nation’s financial wealth. These women are the healthiest, wealthiest, and most active generation of women in history. They are an incredibly important market in the HBW/CPG space, contributing to 93% of all OTC sales. And they seem to love independents.

Our own research has shown that boomer women are the largest contingency of independent pharmacy shoppers. Of 477 independent pharmacy shoppers we interviewed, 67 percent were women and 52 percent were aged 51 or over. But just because older women are shopping independents doesn’t mean they have to continue to do so – and that’s where the opportunity lies.

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Do your pharmacy customers trust you?

by Amy Kasza A recent poll demonstrated what many of us are experiencing in our everyday lives: Americans just don’t seem to trust each other as much as they used to. This phenomenon encompasses every area of our lives, whether it’s trusting our elected leaders, our employers, or the organizations that provide products and services to … Read more