stockchecker on first aid
Drugstores dominate the market, but recent numbers show this grip is loosening as both mass and food outlets gain ground.
Drugstores | 50% | $405 | +4.6% |
Mass-merchandisers | 28% | $228.9 | +12.1% |
Food stores | 22% | $181.4 | +6.3% |
You can stop this erosion by focusing on the home health-care trend and making your first aid section a destination department for your customers. Analysts at NONSTOP Solutions-Hamacher Division suggest three ways to achieve this goal.
First, stock a larger assortment of first aid products than your local competition; then advertise that you do so. Take advantage of the categorys busiest selling seasons, spring and summer, by advertising specials and regular promotions during these warm months. Summer inventory levels should rise to keep pace with the increase in sales, and you may have to borrow some extra shelf space from an adjacent department to accommodate the expanded stock. If you plan on trimming your department in the fall and winter, remember: A destination department must maintain a high rate of in-stock items all year long. Customers will leave your store empty-handed if the sought-after items arent on your shelves.
Second, aggressively price popular items, including private-label products. They capture nearly 21% of first aid sales, second only to Johnson & Johnsons 47% share. Private-label accessories substantially boost the drugstores profitability with margins of 39%-53%. Such profits more than make up for the loss produced by aggressively pricing certain branded items.
Third, closely watch market trends. An influx of new products over the past year has featured medical advancements. Carry many of these new products, especially adhesive bandages, to take advantage of manufacturers advertising and promotional dollars. New items succeed best in the adhesive bandages subcategory, which produces about 50% of accessories sales.
Two revolutionary products may change wound management: Band-Aid Brand Advanced Healing Strip and Curads Hydro Heal. Both rely on recent medical findings that report that leaving a wound uncovered slows the healing process. Band-Aid uses a hospital-tested hydrocolloid technology that promotes fast, natural healing. Designed to stay in place for several days without changing, these bandages adhere even when theyre wet.
Children love adhesive bandages, and they use almost two-thirds of those sold. All three major brands, Johnson & Johnson, 3M, and Curad, offer decorative and licensed character bandages. While new designs keep the subcategory fresh, many lack staying power. Styles in this subcategory change rapidly so monitor new releases and replace slow sellers with new items.
Hamacher planograms merchandise licensed character and decorative bandages together, forming a distinct segment within adhesive bandages. We recommend including 12-17 SKUs in a large department.
Customers return to places that have offered them great customer service. And patients clearly prefer buying first aid products in drugstores. Capitalize on this preference by making your first aid department the best in your community. Let people know about your selection and service. Then watch your destination department increase traffic and sales.
Large Dept.
Medium Dept. | Small Dept. |
24 linear feet
12 linear feet | 8 linear feet |
Number of SKUs
82 | 40 | 20 |
Estimated Sales per Year
$3,600 | $2,460 | $1,500 |
Estimated Inventory Retail
$680 | $370 | $210 |
Product | Manufacturer |
3M Nexcare Bandage 25 102 Dalmatians | 3M Consumer Health |
3M Nexcare Bandage 30 3/4" Bug | 3M Consumer Health |
3M Nexcare Bandage 30 3/4" Pop | 3M Consumer Health |
3M Nexcare Bandage 60 3/4" Ultra Sheer | 3M Consumer Health |
3M Nexcare Bandage 60 Assorted Ultra Sheer | 3M Consumer Health |
3M Nexcare Butterfly Closures 10 | 3M Consumer Health |
Band-Aid Gentle Care 25 Assorted | Johnson & Johnson |
Band-Aid Pain & Itch 20 Assorted | Johnson & Johnson |
Band-Aid Quick Stop 25 Assorted | Johnson & Johnson |
Band-Aid Scooby-Doo 25 Assorted | Johnson & Johnson |
Crackle Creations Bandage 35 Assorted Bones | Crackle Creations |
Crackle Creations Bandage 35 Assorted Bravehart | Crackle Creations |
Crackle Creations Bandage 35 Assorted Flutterby | Crackle Creations |
Crackle Creations Bandage 35 Assorted Grinch | Crackle Creations |
Crackle Creations Bandage 35 Assorted Kiss N | Crackle Creations |
Crackle Creations Bandage 35 Assorted Safari | Crackle Creations |
Crackle Creations Bandage 35 Assorted Sparkle | Crackle Creations |
Curad Hydro Heal 10 Assorted | Beiersdorf |
Curad Kid 30 Pokemon | Beiersdorf |
Use this Never Out list to monitor your in-stock condition. The items listed account for more than 50% of the dollar sales in the first aid bandages department. An out-of-stock on any of these items represents a significant loss of sales.
____ Band-Aid Adhesive Pad 10 Large
____ Band-Aid Butterfly 12 Medium
____ Band-Aid Clear 8 Travel
____ Band-Aid Clear 30 1 Size
____ Band-Aid Flex 20 Knee/Finger
____ Band-Aid Flex 30 1 Size
____ Band-Aid Flex 30 Assorted
____ Band-Aid Pooh 30 Assorted
____ Band-Aid Sheer 10 XL
____ Band-Aid Sheer 40 1 Size
____ Band-Aid Sheer 40 Assorted
Sandra Levy. Is your pharmacy a destination for first aid accessories?.
Drug Topics
2001;6.