by Cat Renwick, category analyst, part of Monthly Retailer Category Tips
While independent pharmacies tend to excel in therapeutic skin care items, don’t overlook the advantages to your business of serving consumers looking for skin care products offering beauty benefits. These product types become part of a consumer’s skin care routine/regimen, which means recurring, additional basket dollars. Finding space and making customers aware that you carry these items can build your business.
Drug Store New’s Future 50, powered by HRG, features three skin care items. These 2023 new item launches were selected for the Future 50 because they have the potential to be top performers.
| Product | UPC |
| Neutrogena Reusable Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser Fragrance Free 1 Kit | 07050106636 |
| O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Pain Relief Cream 3oz | 37156400066 |
| Olay Super Serum Night Repair 1oz | 07560920900 |
Eliminate slow-selling products in your skin care department to add these items that should drive sales and bring customers to your store.
While acne patches have been on the market for over a decade, they were largely offered by beauty brands that aren’t typically found in independent pharmacies. With the recent introduction of the Neutrogena Blemish Patch and Nexcare’s Acne Stickers — which have been on the market for some time — there are more mainstream brands offering these treatment solutions. If your customer demographic is the target for these products, add them to your skin care department. Check with your wholesaler ordering site, or if available, visit their marketplace to see if there are additional options available as certain patches are targeted to different types of blemishes.
Another trend more mainstream brands are adopting is offering beauty supplements to enhance hair, skin, and nails from the inside out. If you’re wondering where it’s best to position these products for maximum visibility and sales potential — in the skin care department or vitamins & dietary supplements — the answer is it depends! One of our core merchandising principles is placing products where shoppers will look for them and arguments can be made for both departments. One solution is to merchandise them in both departments, however, if you have space restrictions you may have to chose one department and add signage to the other. HRG merchandises beauty supplements in vitamins & dietary supplements with other specialty products. We encourage you to listen and pay attention to your customers so you place these products where your shoppers are looking for them. Another option is creating an endcap with other beauty items to alert your customer that you carry these products.