Top Retailers

Electronic prescribing has long been touted as a way to reduce medication errors and healthcare costs, but one retail pharmacy chain has found another use for it.


“You vs. Flu … you win with a flu shot!” Of course, patients aren’t the only winners now that pharmacies are actively touting their flu shot and other vaccination services. It’s quick. It’s easy. And it’s driving the number of flu shots delivered each season. 


The key to smelling success in the fragrance category is to unlock the segment — literally. Yet, finding ways to successfully enhance the shopping experience through sampling always has been a bit tricky for mass market retailers. The answer, however, may just lie within the upscale beauty department at Duane Reade’s flagship store at 40 Wall St. in New York City.


WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — If you were to tell me that 4-out-of-every-5 people would choose 90-day prescriptions available by pickup at the pharmacy versus 90-day prescriptions delivered through mail order — and for about the same cost — I would tell you that we need to find the fifth person and make sure that they're OK. They might be suffering from a medical emergency and could need our help. The publication of this study in a peer-reviewed journal, however, serves as proof of concept addressing two concerns — choice and plan cost.

Customer loyalty has always been paramount for retailers, but as we wade into 2012 and beyond, it is becoming increasingly evident that retailers have a renewed focus on establishing a strong sense of loyalty and creating an engaging customer experience through cross-channel initiatives that are touching customers both in and — perhaps more importantly — out of the store.


“We want to make sure we’re talking to our members where and how they want to be spoken to.”


That was something Sam’s Club VP health and family care Jason Reiser said to me for the special report we did on the company that appeared on the cover of our April 2 issue. In case you missed it, you can download the full report here.


A lot of retailers offer screenings for everything from diabetes to allergies, but what sets Sam’s Club apart is the scale on which it delivers them. The club retailer offers screenings for everything from heart health and women’s health to diabetes. In a recent interview with Drug Store News, director of business development for health and wellness Angie Muldoon said that the company had conducted more than 1 million screenings in 2011.


Walgreens has implemented a new attention-grabbing way to merchandise its endcaps: a touch-screen monitor that sets the store apart from traditional retail pharmacy experiences. As part of its Chicago flagship, two endcaps across from the pharmacy feature interactive touch screens. One features information on smoking cessation, the other on heart health.