Pharmacy merchandising presents a unique challenge, especially when each store is independently owned with its own layouts, fixtures and preferences. Add strict legal requirements around medicine storage, and the need for expert, compliant execution becomes clear.
Alphega approached eXPD8 with a brief to deliver weekly, full-store re-merchandising across its network of independent pharmacies. This ongoing programme focuses on refreshing and optimising pharmacy environments, supporting sales growth while ensuring regulatory compliance and consistency from store to store.
Each location presents a unique set of requirements. With independently owned pharmacies, there is a wide variety of planograms, fixtures, line lists and compliance standards to consider. This requires a flexible yet structured approach to execution.
Navigating regulatory compliance in pharmacies
One of the most critical aspects of pharmacy merchandising is compliance with legal requirements around product placement. This is particularly true when it comes to ‘P-Medicines’, which must be dispensed by a pharmacist and are not available for self-selection as General Sales List (GSL) items.
These medicines must be stored securely, either behind the pharmacy counter or within locked boxes, and must only be accessible to a pharmacist or pharmacy assistant.
Understanding these legal obligations is essential. To ensure compliance, eXPD8 developed a detailed training module that every merchandiser is required to complete before attending a pharmacy call. The module outlines key legal and operational responsibilities, giving our teams the knowledge needed to deliver their work safely and accurately.
Expert merchandising teams providing tailored support
Our merchandising teams work in pairs, completing each pharmacy over two full days. This provides sufficient time to assess each store’s layout, realign planograms, update fixtures and refresh the overall pharmacy presentation.
Our merchandisers focus not only on compliance and consistency but also on meeting individual store owners’ specifications. By gathering insights during store visits and working closely with pharmacy staff, we ensure that merchandising solutions are both effective and tailored to the needs of each location.
Creating long-term consistency through custom plans
Beyond in-store execution, our teams capture key information to create customised layout plans, updated line lists and refreshed planograms. These resources provide each pharmacy with a practical foundation for maintaining merchandising standards over time.
This structured and proactive approach is what sets eXPD8 apart. By combining merchandising expertise with legal awareness and a deep understanding of working in store, we continue to deliver ongoing, measurable impact for Alphega and its independent pharmacy network.
Need expert support with pharmacy or retail merchandising? Contact eXPD8 to find out how we can help.
