Opinion

Walgreens is no longer at the corner of happy and healthy. It’s expanded well beyond the U.S. neighborhood and, while it’s not everywhere yet, it’s bigger than anyone else. A lot bigger. This size creates challenges for the U.S. OTC market.

Customers seeking health-and-wellness support in Hy-Vee’s eight-state marketing area don’t have to work too hard to find the retailer and its solutions. On the contrary, Hy-Vee usually finds them.

That’s because the West Des Moines, Iowa-based company has created a multi-level approach that nails customer health journeys. It figures out how to bring relevant solutions to consumers wherever they are, from in-store to online to the community. Many of its efforts are being expanded this year.

It is nothing short of obvious that without the membership there would be no NACDS. Yet a related concept that is more intriguing — and hopefully more inspiring — is that NACDS would not be as great as it is without the membership.

If you are a parent, we likely have many things in common. As my kids were growing up, I would always tuck a little note inside their lunchbox with an inspirational or encouraging thought for the day. In fact, there were times that I did something a bit more elaborate — affectionately deemed “paper art” — enclosing three-dimensional or interactive paper pieces.

“The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand
 up to speak in public.” —George Jessel, actor, singer, songwriter and producer

“My team gets lost in the deck and can’t tell our story,” a VP of sales told me recently. “Our pitch puts others to sleep. And I struggle also.” 

We’ve heard a lot lately about fake news. Much of the talk is about false and deceptive stories invading the Internet and other platforms.

There’s another phenomenon that I call “almost-fake,” which also relates to news and information, specifically about health. In many ways it’s even more challenging, especially for health practitioners and retailers.

I define almost-fake as health information that isn’t based on science.

Twenty years ago this month, I put on what was then my “lucky” tie, this horrible, neon yellow number from Banana Republic — it wore more like a bad Hawaiian shirt than a tie — and I started a new job as senior editor for OTCs and natural health at Drug Store News.

Sure, I have a lot less hair today than I did then, but I also have much better taste in ties.