Why does an independent pharmacy need a marketing plan?

January 12, 2016By Focus on the Pharmacy Front End Blog, Independent Pharmacy

by Jen Johnston A pharmacy that has a customer orientation takes marketing seriously. It doesn’t rely on haphazard, seat-of-the-pants decision making about such things as inventory, pricing, merchandising, advertising, hours of service, store appearance, and employee training. Instead everything it does is strategic. This strategy is called your marketing plan. Your marketing plan coordinates all … Read More

Gaining a foothold in a new retail channel

December 7, 2015By Behind the Shelf Blog, Industry Intuition

by Steve Choate When was the last time you started a home improvement project without first understanding the needed enhancements or looking at instructions/directions on how to complete the repair? Being a stereotypical male, I usually do not read instructions before tackling a project. This often results in the wrong approach and additional trips to the store. … Read More

Become a trusted resource

November 19, 2015By Behind the Shelf Blog, Brand Marketing

by Cari Sass How much do you dread those annoying sales calls? The ones where you can’t even get a word in to explain that you’re not interested or that what they are selling does not meet your need?  As the end of the year approaches, these types of calls seem to ramp up. When … Read More

Do You Have a Mission Statement?

November 12, 2015By Focus on the Pharmacy Front End Blog, Independent Pharmacy

by Jen Johnston A mission statement is not “fluff.” This essential statement is what gives meaning and direction to any business. It answers the questions, “What business am I in and why?” and “Who are my customers?” The mission statement helps clarify whether your business is service-oriented, product-oriented, or both. It brings into focus just … Read More

Understanding the pricing landscape

November 12, 2015By Behind the Shelf Blog, Brand Marketing

  by Sean Grudzinski, HRG Product Research & Analysis Manager Before a company enters a new industry, decides to launch a new product, or tries to determine the best address for a new store location, they invest in understanding the existing landscape. It’s easy to see opportunity and potential by taking an objective view of … Read More

Look at that face!

October 16, 2015By Behind the Shelf Blog, Brand Marketing

by Dave Wendland From a shopper’s point of view, a product is never seen alone and never in great detail. Given their distance from shelves and the fact that products are arranged in straight rows, it creates a blur of similar-looking shapes, sizes, colors, and products. It’s not until a product grabs a shopper’s attention that … Read More

51. Find a new market niche

October 15, 2015By 99 Ways to Make a Positive Difference in Your Pharmacy, Focus on the Pharmacy Front End Blog, Independent Pharmacy

by Julie Massey for our 99 Ways to Make a Positive Difference in Your Pharmacy series With competition an ever-present threat, you always have to re-assess your business and your position in your community. Knowing where your strengths and weaknesses lie in comparison to your local competitors will help you focus on areas where you … Read More

Standing out in seconds

September 25, 2015By Behind the Shelf Blog, Brand Marketing

by Dave Wendland Three to six seconds. That’s the time a typical consumer takes at shelf to locate a product. This inexplicably short amount of time poses a serious conundrum for both the retailer and the manufacturer. Why? Because the consumer is controlling the outcome. That said I believe there are four critical package elements … Read More