Valentine's Day Sales Worksheet

You know you are supposed to take good notes about your Valentine's Day sales this year, but wondering what should you write down? Download my new Valentine's Day Sales Worksheet and start writing. The most successful buyers take the best notes.

Spring Break Is Coming

With spring break right around the corner, the first stores to promote a complete sun care line will enjoy the most profit and revenue the category has to offer. Look for items that go beyond sun protection to caring for various skin types, as well as rehydrating, organic and gluten-free sun care options. As soon as your wholesaler offers sun care items, obtain what you have room for and get it on your shelves. Ask your supplier for a list of items that come with return privileges. Don't forget to place your most profitable brand at eye-level. Start with the lower SPF lotions and work to the right with higher numbers.

Winter Reminders

• Take advantage of bad winter weather days to remind customers about your delivery services via your website, social media accounts, in-store signage, and IVR.

• Cough, cold & flu season is still going strong. Make notes now on what remedies, immune boosters, lozenges, and tissues sold best.

**FLASH SALE**—Find Your Front-End Profits With the 2017 Daily Pharmacy Planning Guide

Get tips and ideas for a profitable front end in the 2017 Daily Pharmacy Planning Guide, now on sale for ONLY $19.95 for NCPA members (price includes shipping)! The guide includes 365+ tips on timely front-end department advice, merchandising, and much more. Plus, Guide owners can participate in FREE quarterly webinars on how to use the Guide effectively, as well as seasonal merchandising and marketing ideas. Order now at www.ncpanet.org/bookstore or 1-800-544-7447. **LIMITED NUMBER OF COPIES LEFT!**

Smart Schooling for Front-End Employees, Store Owners & Buyers

Learn how to attract new customers, keep them, and sell them more at the Front-End Profit Building Seminar, sponsored by Good Neighbor Pharmacy, March 25 in Dallas or Oct. 13 in Orlando, Fla. Discover how to build better end-caps, create your own floor plan with minimal expense, explore new trends and niches, improve your curbside appeal, sell more private label, and become a better buyer and a superior seller. Find inspiration from more than 500 photos showing how stores like yours have made more money. You will leave feeling motivated! Spots are limited—register now. The program is designed for store owners, managers, and anyone who works in the front end. Special rates available for team members.

HRG Reviews Record Number of New Products, Tagging One-In-Five for Success

Of the top five categories in independent pharmacy (diabetes, pain relief, digestive health, cold and allergy, and vitamins and dietary supplements), 777 new items were reviewed, and from those items, 19.8% received a HRG Star Rating," stated Colleen Volheim, category research and analysis manager at HRG. Read more...

Majority of Consumers See Bright Future Ahead, So They're Willing to Spend More Now

The majority of consumers see a brighter future for 2017, according the latest IRI Consumer Connect survey. The Q4 2016 findings reveal that 70% of consumers feel their household finances will improve in the next six months, and they are willing to pay a premium for higher quality and highly differentiated packaged goods products. Read more...

Product of the Year Winners

Product of the Year takes entries from new consumer products launched in the previous year that demonstrate innovation in a particular category, with one product winning the entire category. Among this year's winners were such brands as Carmex, whose Comfort Care Lip Balm won in the lip care category; GSK Consumer Healthcare's Sensodyne True White, which won in the oral care category; Procter & Gamble's Charmin Essentials Soft, which won in the bath tissue category; and sweetener category winner Splenda Naturals. Read more...