In-Store Pharmacies Are Just What the Customer Ordered

By: Elissa McLerran, Public Policy Communications Manager, Food Marketing Institute

I remember growing up in a small town that the local pharmacy was located inside the grocery store. Anytime I was feeling under the weather, my mom and I would head there to pick up medicine and a nice hot bowl of chicken noodle soup. It was so handy to have everything we needed in one place.

The grocery shopping environment has evolved significantly over time. From what was once a weekly errand has now become a holistic health experience, where shoppers conduct business for more reasons than taste preference alone. As food retail establishments continue to serve customers and meet their desires and needs, stores have expanded from carrying the basic dietary necessities into a one-stop-shop for wellness. These health and wellness destinations include a variety of resources for shoppers’ health, such as nutritious food, cooking classes, registered dietitians and in-store health clinics. Even research from the 2017 U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends reports, 45 percent of shoppers say their grocery store is working to help them achieve health and wellness goals.

Oliver Wyman reports that more than 1,600 retail locations are now home to healthcare clinics, and an increasing number of pharmacy, supermarket and mass chains have entered the healthcare space. Shoppers desire convenience, access and transparency of traditional retail combined with healthcare’s quality and trust. Sign up for the FMI Pharmacy Report to receive the latest news on pharmacy-related actions that could impact food retailers and wholesalers, and enhance the in-store experience for all of your customers.