by Kyle Lentz, category analyst, part of Monthly Retailer Category Tips
Cold and flu season is approaching. Here are some ideas of how to prepare to meet your customers’ needs.
Five cold & allergy products that launched in 2023 made it onto Drug Store News’s Future 50 list, powered by HRG.
| UPC | Product | Manufacturer |
| 03660283304 | Ricola Throat Drop Cherry 45ct | Ricola Inc. |
| 37003016576 | Nasonex 24 Hour Allergy Spray 60 sprays | Perrigo Company |
| 37003016577 | Nasonex 24 Hour Allergy Spray 120 sprays | Perrigo Company |
| 36382499696 | Mucinex Fast-Max Kickstart Severe Cold & Flu 6oz | Reckitt |
| 32390003086 | Vicks VapoRub Advanced Plus Cough Suppressent Topical Analgesic Ointment 2.82oz | Procter & Gamble |
| 32390003112 | DayQuil Cold & Flu Ultra Concentrated Liquicap 48ct | Procter & Gamble |
Additionally, there have been four cold & allergy items chosen for HRG’s Products to Watch feature in Drug Store News this year through July:
| UPC | Product | Manufacturer |
| 300310340682 | Robitussin Cough Soft Chews | Haleon |
| 363824997889 | Mucinex Children’s Mighty Chews | Reckitt |
| 300674350143 | Theraflu-D Flu Relief Max Strength + Nasal Decongestant | Haleon |
| 810087820640 | Hyland’s Naturals Kids Organic All-in-One Cough Syrup + Immunity Support combo pack | Hyland’s |
These are items our analysts project to succeed and should be added to your assortment to drive traffic and sales.
Don’t forget to promote the products you carry that contain pseudoephedrine (PSE) or ephedrine (EPH). Even though it has been several years that these items have had to be stocked behind the pharmacy counter, without signage and reminders from staff, customers may forget where to find these products and the options available. Keeping a sign posted or informational material in your cold & allergy department is a constant reminder. This concept also applies to products that address cold & flu symptoms that are formulated for diabetes patients and are stocked in the diabetes management department.
Prepare for the fall allergy season by staying informed on when peaks may hit. Accuweather.com published an article about pollen season with tips from experts. Keeping an eye on an allergy tracker for your local area, such as the one on The Weather Channel website, can help you prepare for when you might see an uptick in customers looking for allergy treatments and order accordingly.