Try Before You Buy! Free Samples Available from Some Front-End Marketplace Vendors

A number of Front-End Marketplace vendors are offering you a chance to try out their products to see if they would be a right fit for your pharmacy. Don't pass up this opportunity to sample the unique goods offered through Front-End Marketplace—we're sure you'll find the products to be welcome additions to your front end. NCPA's website frontendmarketplace.com is your front-end connection to products that help you stand out from the competition. From skin care to pet care to snacks and more, you will find the kind of niche products that your customers are looking for and most of which you cannot find through your drug wholesaler. Try some free samples today.

Your Back-to-School Homework

The back-to-school season starts as early as July 5 now. Before you begin stocking up on pens and paper, assess your situation: are you located near a dollar store or other big box store? If so, you may want to reconsider focusing on school supplies and instead stock up on back-to-campus personal care products. Create business card-sized signs that read, "Get ready for college!" and place on toothbrushes, cold and flu medicine, antacid/upset stomach medication, facial tissue, vitamins, pain relievers, etc. Signage is key to building awareness so that when it comes time for college students and families to start their back-to-school or campus shopping, they will remember your store.

Promote Sunscreen

July is UV Safety Month and a great hook to use in promoting your inventory of sunscreen products and sunglasses on a well-merchandised end-cap. Check your stock and ensure you have enough sunscreen products to meet demand. Add a clip strip or bowl of premium lip balm with UV protection at every register and the pharmacy counter. Be sure to add a sign to your displays. Ideas: "Sunscreen has an expiration date, make sure yours is fresh!" or "UV Protection Available Here."

Deciding to Sell Diapers

When deciding to add any new category or an extension of an existing one, you must ask yourself these three questions: Will it create measurable revenue? Will it attract new customers? And will it enhance my image? If you can answer yes to at least two of the questions, then you are safe to include the line in your inventory...unless the item is diapers. At best, diapers will only fill one of the above requirements, so you will have to decide if they are worth the space and investment. Read the One-Pager Tip from Gabe to discover if selling diapers is right for your pharmacy (you may be surprised by the answer).

OTC Category Reviews: First Aid and Baby Care—July 2016

DSN senior editor Michael Johnsen examines the sales activity in the first aid and baby care categories, highlighting products that are transforming OTC in this multi-page report. Read more...

Reaching Expectant Moms Early is Key

"It is important to start educating and building relationships early with expecting moms as they are actively educating themselves and planning for the care of their baby. New moms also tend to be loyal to the first brand they try because they are hesitant to risk a change once they are comfortable with a routine." Read more...

Cross Merchandise

Cross merchandising is an easy, effective way to build incremental sales in your pharmacy. When you incorporate cross-merchandising strategies, you offer shoppers convenient, one-stop shopping and allow them to add more items to their basket than they might if they were simply shopping one department. There are many opportunities to implement cross-merchandising strategies. Here are two ideas to get you started. Read more...