Discount Drug Stores has announced a number of new programs and two major initiatives to drive the bottom line of its franchisees at its 2014 National Conference, held in Melbourne from June 1 to 3.
Key among the initiatives, which include new product launches and improved e-commerce and loyalty strategies, was the announcement of an enhanced Medication Management Program, and a new partnership with DAA packing company MPS.
Discount Drug Store General Manager Douglas Kuskopf-Dallas said the initiatives will usher in the next chapter for the brand as the industry enters a period of consolidation as a result of the PBS reforms.
“This is an incredibly challenging time for pharmacy with PBS reforms having a significant impact on profit,” Mr Kuskopf-Dallas said. “At conference we announced a number of programs and strategies to address these challenges and give store owners not only new means to gain back some lost profits, but to achieve growth.”
The conference, which featured a keynote address from Pharmacy Guild of Australia Executive Director, David Quilty and was attended by Victoria Pharmacy Guild President Anthony Tassone, also saw a renewed focus on professional services.
In continued partnership with PharmEngage, DDS announced the enhancement of its highly successful TOP Medication Management Program (MMP), which will now deliver consumer information and patient support programs.
DDS also announced a new partnership with DAA packing company MPS, which will manage community Dose Administration Aids, preparing stores for growing consumer need and enabling pharmacists to spend more time in the front of store consulting with their customers.
Mr Kuskopf-Dallas said DDS would focus on driving both initiatives, which will improve customer health outcomes and drive customer loyalty.
“Our TOP MMP has been a significant success both for customers in improving medication compliance and health outcomes and for our stores in increasing loyalty and thereby profits,” Mr Kuskopf-Dallas said. "Our partnership with MPS will similarly help improve customer compliance and health outcomes, driving customer loyalty to the stores. Professional services continue to be one of our leading priorities and we remain firm that this will be the key differentiator for the future success of our business.”
Other initiatives announced at conference include an enhanced e-commerce platform designed to drive customer engagement with stores, new loyalty program strategies designed to increase brand loyalty, a DDS App designed to incorporate both the loyalty program and assist customers with accessing information from the MMP, an expansion of the brand's products in a number of categories, and a new focus on stocking control brands, with DDS taking on Premium Health Brands' goHealthy vitamin range.
Mr Kuskopf-Dallas said control brands will help stores compete against supermarket private label ranges, offering consumers better value and stores better margins.
“Through taking on pharmacy only ranges such as goHealthy we can both better compete with the supermarket chains and help our owners achieve a better gross profit,” Mr Kuskopf-Dallas said.
Mr Kuskopf-Dallas said all the initiatives aim to encourage owners to work smarter in order to combat the rising challenges in the industry.
“Our 2014 focus is about taking what we’ve done over the past few years to the next level,” Mr Kuskopf-Dallas said. “We need to be utilising our tools and resources more effectively, monitoring and measuring our business with much more precision and most importantly ensuring that our customers are receiving the highest possible level of care and attention at all times. This will be fundamental to our continued success and growth.”
For more information on Discount Drug Stores, please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au.
Media Enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406, 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au.
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