Lupin 2024

August 23, 2021

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Canadian drug chains are a bulwark against COVID-19

Canadian drug chains are a bulwark against COVID-19

TORONTO — After more than a year of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s retail pharmacy industry has proven its ability to serve as a front line of defense in combating the disease. The industry has surmounted multiple challenges as it has striven to protect Canadians, but the struggle is probably not over: Canada’s chief public

Store brands can be a powerful brick-and-mortar draw

Store brands can be a powerful brick-and-mortar draw

A friend of mine recently told me a story that illustrates the challenges national chain drug stores face in the e-commerce era. Her local pharmacy texted her to let her know that her prescription was ready. She dropped everything, hopped in the car, drove to the store, waited in line (all while wearing an uncomfortable

The online migration is real; take full advantage of its growth

The online migration is real; take full advantage of its growth

In our recently released “E-Commerce Health & Wellness Spotlight,” we talked about how the numbers bear out a “tale of two channels.” When we look at industry figures for what was projected to be the top-three categories for over-the-counter, online and off-line, across the board, the first category, weighing in at 45%, is cough, cold

Maximizing e-commerce profits from health care brands

Maximizing e-commerce profits from health care brands

The COVID-19 pandemic created an explosion in e-commerce growth. The health care e-commerce space, in particular, experienced massive growth and is estimated to reach $435.8 billion in revenue by 2025. Despite surging growth, this category faces a huge challenge: profitability. Health care products have narrow margins due their low retail selling prices and often find

Expect beauty to make one of the strongest comebacks

Expect beauty to make one of the strongest comebacks

Beauty and cosmetics brands have been through a challenging time. A combination of lockdowns, store closures, social distancing, home working, mask wearing and other essential measures changed consumer needs and behaviors overnight. For cosmetics in particular, the impact was dramatic. Beauty should expect a strong bounce However, now that the end of the pandemic is

Post-COVID customer service: Where AI can help

Post-COVID customer service: Where AI can help

While customers’ patience and expectations have changed with the pandemic, in many instances, they’ve reverted back to pre-COVID levels. Now with cities reopening, vaccination rates reaching 60% or higher in adult populations, and post-pandemic inflation hitting us, customers are out shopping, paying more and expecting more for their money. For retailers trying to meet their

Benefits-driven self-care can extend across many categories

Benefits-driven self-care can extend across many categories

Consumer commitment to self-care has skyrocketed over the past decade, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this shift. In fact, today, almost 70% of Americans prioritize taking action to support their health and wellness at least several days per wek. One of the largest historic drivers behind increased reliance on self-care is

Not all shoppers want the same rewards at the same time

Not all shoppers want the same rewards at the same time

There are many ways to keep customers loyal. Some shoppers are driven by low prices, while others are looking for an emotional connection to their store. Still others require constant incentives to cement their loyalty. The bottom line is that consumers are all different, and they respond differently to offers and promotions. Post-pandemic, consumer loyalty

Personalization is coming to the health marketplace

Personalization is coming to the health marketplace

The COVID-19 pandemic has made its mark on consumer health. Categories promoting prevention, immunity, active nutrition and wellness — especially vitamins and dietary supplements — outpaced the rest of the industry. In 2021, consumer health is expected to show broad-based growth, and interest in vitamins and dietary supplements will continue to develop. As consumers have

It’s critical to move data from silos to a unified structure

It’s critical to move data from silos to a unified structure

Data can be either an enabler or an inhibitor. Increasingly, organizations across the retail supply chain are recognizing the importance of centralizing data and harmonizing around a “single source of truth.” Having robust, accurate product data is absolutely critical for retailers in today’s landscape. Product information quality (including descriptive information and product images) is essential

The best new stores are innovative and inspirational

The best new stores are innovative and inspirational

The physical store was changing long before 2020, but the pandemic injected a dose of urgency into often-sluggish or piecemeal efforts. The pandemic not only redefined how people shop, it has forced companies to reengineer what stores need to look like now and will in the future. In recent months, as the world opened up,

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