Allergy Season is Here

April showers bring May flowers...and May flowers bring allergies. Create a spring allergy relief end-cap or display that offers both natural and homeopathy allergy relief options (antihistamines, nasal sprays, and decongestants) as well as facial tissues, eye care products, and immune boosters. Check that your retails on Flonase and Nasacort Allergy 24HR OTC are competitive and not set at MSRP. Check your region's pollen count and allergy conditions at www.aaaai.org. Don't forget to SIGN IT! Send me pictures of your best-looking allergy end-caps for the Overhaul of Fame (email gabe.trahan@ncpanet.org).

May End-Cap Ideas

• Arthritis Month: create an arthritis relief center featuring hot & cold treatments, wraps, heating pads, pain relief, etc.

• Bumps, Bites & Bruises Relief: add hot & cold packs, cortisone, poison ivy treatments, first aid items, etc. Consider filling the end-cap with private label products.

• Better Sleep Month: supplements like melatonin, eye masks, herbal teas, therapeutic pillows, calming bath gels, etc.

• Skin Cancer Awareness Month: sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen in a range of SPFs (position lowest to highest #) and a variety of formulas (waterproof, sensitive skin, etc.). Add lip balms with SPFs

• Summer Travel Solutions: sun care products, bug repellent, snacks, water bottles/energy drinks, travel-size toiletries, first aid kits, razors, etc.

Get inspired with these photos from the Front-End Overhaul of Fame.

Mother's Day Reminders

• Post signs TODAY in the store reminding customers that Mother's Day is May 14.

• Assign an employee to straighten and remerchandise Mother's Day cards and the gift section(s) once a day until the holiday. Fill holes in greeting card racks with pre-wrapped chocolates (remove wrapping after Mother's Day).

• Take notes now, during, and after the holiday about your sales hits and misses. My new Mother's Day Sales Worksheet can help you organize your thoughts.

Join Front-End Overhaul's Red Shoe Posse at the Atlanta Gift Show in July & Get a Free Night's Hotel

Meet up with Front-End Overhaul's Gabe Trahan, NCPA senior director of store operations and marketing, and peers from other pharmacies at the Atlanta International Gift Show July 13-14 for a real-time experience on negotiating with vendors for the hottest gifts and merchandise. Gabe will lead you through the show and help you find new items to carry in your store that will add WOW to your front end. Attending the show is FREE and we worked out a special deal for a one-night complimentary hotel room for you to attend. Hurry, the hotel offer is first come, first served and ends June 2, so register today. (P.S.—you can also attend the gift show for FREE!)

Get Free Shipping on Your First Order with Front-End Marketplace's Vendor of the Month, Zollipops

Front-End Marketplace introduces Zollipops as the May Vendor of the Month. These 'Clean Teeth Pops' are perfect for both kids and adults and are a great healthy alternative to sugary candy on your counter. Check out this amazing Steve Harvey interview with founder Alina Morse (she was 9 years old when Zollipops was launched) for the back story and then order some for your store today! Be sure to use the code "1timefreefreight" for free shipping on your first order.

Monthly Retailer Category Tips—Grooming Needs

Grooming Needs is now a one-stop shop (a big trend in retail) for male customers. Since men especially appreciate the convenience of finding all of their grooming products in one area, we've included hair care, body washes, and sun care items in this department along with the traditional deodorants and shaving and men's grooming items. Take the time to merge your Deodorants and Shaving & Grooming departments into this new combination section to maximize space and create this easy-to-shop area for your customers. Read more...