Latebreakers: Study: Consumers visiting drugstores more often, spending more

Consumers are visiting drugstores more often and spending more when they are there. This is according to figures from a nationally representative study, Information Resources Inc.'s "Channel Migration 2007: A New Cross-Channel Battleground Emerges" report. The report found that the average drugstore basket significantly increased by 6.9% versus last year, which is nearly three times the total industry increase across all consumer packaged goods outlets. Medicare Part D educational outreach programs for seniors and expansion of in-store health clinics were cited as drivers of drugstores' success. Leading drugstore retailers have also invested in marketing, merchandising, and private- label development to establish stores as beauty care destinations.