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June 18, 2012
2012 Innov-ies

Every year, thousands of new items are launched at retail. Typically, about half of 1% are ever truly successful. The DSN Innov-ies salutes the most innovative new products in health and beauty launched between May 2011 and May 2012 — not just a bunch of new flavors and sizes, but the truly unique items that brought real growth to the category.

Every year, thousands of new items are launched at retail. Typically, about half of 1% are ever truly successful. The DSN Innov-ies salutes the most innovative new products in health and beauty launched between May 2011 and May 2012 — not just a bunch of new flavors and sizes, but the truly unique items that brought real growth to the category. In all, DSN received nearly 700 votes via a special online ballot. DSN readers voted for their top 10 picks. The rankings in this special report reflect the total percentage of votes each item received.

October 24, 2011
Heavy Hitters - Digital Report 2011

Tens of billions of dollars have flooded into health IT in recent years, making that sector "as sexy an [investment] as social media and gaming," experts say. Find out what 15 leading pharmacy services companies — traditionalists and start-ups alike — are doing to bring new innovation to the HIT segment.

Tens of billions of dollars have flooded into health IT in recent years, making that sector "as sexy an [investment] as social media and gaming," experts say.

Click below to download the exclusive DSN digital report, and find out what 15 leading pharmacy services companies — traditionalists and start-ups alike — are doing to bring new innovation to the HIT segment.

August 24, 2011
Annual Prescriber Report 2011

Behind every prescription that lands at the pharmacy counter is a series of events that influence the prescriber’s decision. Powered by data from SDI Health, Drug Store News goes inside the examination room in this exclusive report, providing an in-depth look at the critical factors that shape pharmaceutical sales trends and shift market share from one drug to another in 10 key market segments.

Behind every prescription that lands at the pharmacy counter is a series of events that influence the prescriber’s decision. Powered by data from SDI Health, Drug Store News goes inside the examination room in this exclusive report, providing an in-depth look at the critical factors that shape pharmaceutical sales trends and shift market share from one drug to another in 10 key market segments.

Click below to download the complete PDF of the 2011 Annual Prescriber Report.

May 24, 2011
Top 150 Annual Niche Brands Report

Happy days are here again! Consumer confidence rebounded 1.6 points in April from a dip in March, according to the Consumer Confidence Index, despite the fact that high-gas-price stories are dominating the airwaves. That suggests consumers may be willing to try new things again — in other words, to buy something new — and that is excellent news for niche manufacturers. In this annual report, DSN calculates the value of niche brands.

Happy days are here again! Consumer confidence rebounded 1.6 points in April from a dip in March, according to the Consumer Confidence Index, despite the fact that high-gas-price stories are dominating the airwaves. That suggests consumers may be willing to try new things again — in other words, to buy something new — and that is excellent news for niche manufacturers. In this annual report, DSN calculates the value of niche brands.

Click below to download the PDF of the Top 150 Annual Niche Brands Report.

March 7, 2011
Supermarket Rx Report 2011

DSN profiles 15 supermarket leaders in health and wellness.

DSN profiles 15 supermarket leaders in health and wellness. Click below to download the PDF of the DSN/FMI Supermarket Rx Report.

February 2, 2011
Visionary Retailers

It's as if they have some special vision — some special lens that reveals secrets about the customer and how she shops. Some retailers see things that the rest of us don't. Or, as one supplier told Drug Store News, "It's like they think in 3D." DSN profiles 10 visionary retailers and how their vision has fed new merchandising and marketing concepts that represent the best thinking in drug store retailing today.

It's as if they have some special vision — some special lens that reveals secrets about the customer and how she shops. Some retailers see things that the rest of us don't. Or, as one supplier told Drug Store News, "It's like they think in 3D." DSN profiles 10 visionary retailers and how their vision has fed new merchandising and marketing concepts that represent the best thinking in drug store retailing today. Click below to download the PDF of Visionary Retailers.

January 5, 2011
Regional Chain Report 2011

Even as the big get bigger, it appears that the industry’s top regional chains continue to grow in relevance and importance in the markets they dominate. Drug Store News profiles 10 of the industry’s top regional pharmacy chains, with a special focus on what these companies are doing to create a unique definition of health and wellness that resonates with local shoppers.

Even as the big get bigger, it appears that the industry’s top regional chains continue to grow in relevance and importance in the markets they dominate. Drug Store News profiles 10 of the industry’s top regional pharmacy chains, with a special focus on what these companies are doing to create a unique definition of health and wellness that resonates with local shoppers. Click below to download the PDF of the Regional Chain Report.

January 5, 2011
Ten for 2011

Rather than take off Christmas, the editors of Drug Store News took a look ahead at the 10 big stories that will make the news in retail pharmacy this year.

Rather than take off Christmas, the editors of Drug Store News took a look ahead at the 10 big stories that will make the news in retail pharmacy this year. Click below to download the PDF of Ten for 2011.

December 7, 2010
Walmart Pharmacy Report 2010

Walmart stores have regained a familiar feeling this holiday season, and if senior executives are right, the increased promotional intensity will halt six consecutive quarters of declining same-store sales and put the company on the right track for 2011. The most obvious change is the return of branded feature displays and four-sided fixtures to the main aisles of Walmart’s 3,600 U.S. supercenters and discount stores. As Walmart has moved in a new and familiar direction under a different senior leadership team and a restructured merchandising organization focused on the familiar brand promise of everyday low prices, it has sought to retain the best elements of its Project Impact strategy while modifying those that negatively affected sales, the most notable of which was the elimination of feature displays.

Walmart stores have regained a familiar feeling this holiday season, and if senior executives are right, the increased promotional intensity will halt six consecutive quarters of declining same-store sales and put the company on the right track for 2011. The most obvious change is the return of branded feature displays and four-sided fixtures to the main aisles of Walmart’s 3,600 U.S. supercenters and discount stores.

July 31, 2010
ECRM Health Care 2010

Drug Store News' 2010 edition of ECRM Health Care details the successes and challenges of eight healthcare product categories that influence the retail drug store and supermarket industries: digestives, allergy/cough-cold, internal analgesics, external analgesics, eye care, ear care, first aid and foot care. Also included is a bonus peek into the most recent edition of The Mack Elevation Forum and its discussion of SKU rationalization. Click below to download the free PDF of ECRM Health Care 2010.

Drug Store News' 2010 edition of ECRM Health Care details the successes and challenges of eight healthcare product categories that influence the retail drug store and supermarket industries: digestives, allergy/cough-cold, internal analgesics, external analgesics, eye care, ear care, first aid and foot care. Also included is a bonus peek into the most recent edition of The Mack Elevation Forum and its discussion of SKU rationalization. Click below to download the free PDF of ECRM Health Care 2010.

May 17, 2010
Top 500: Niche Brands/Brokers Report 2010

It wasn’t too long ago that SKU rationalization became commonplace, as many retailers attempted a course correction toward more profitable sets — establishing performance metrics that possibly favored bigger brands and their store-brand equivalents over slower-moving and slower-building brands. In other words, niche products. But now retailers are acknowledging they may have cut too much, opening a pathway of opportunity for many suppliers, especially those of promising niche brands. And, as the industry juggles the impact of a weak economy, ongoing consolidation and SKU rationalization, there’s no doubt that the role of the broker, or sales and marketing consultant, is changing and growing increasingly vital to niche brands and even retailers.

It wasn’t too long ago that SKU rationalization became commonplace, as many retailers attempted a course correction toward more profitable sets — establishing performance metrics that possibly favored bigger brands and their store-brand equivalents over slower-moving and slower-building brands. In other words, niche products. But now retailers are acknowledging they may have cut too much, opening a pathway of opportunity for many suppliers, especially those of promising niche brands.

May 16, 2010
Drug Store News Virtual Homeopathy Roundtable

Executives from Boiron, Quigley and Hyland's discussed the success of homeopathic remedies at mass retail, consumer and practitioner education around homeopathy, and how the safety and efficacy concerns surrounding allopathic cough-cold medicines have impacted the homeopathic sector.

Executives from Boiron, Quigley and Hyland's discussed the success of homeopathic remedies at mass retail, consumer and practitioner education around homeopathy, and how the safety and efficacy concerns surrounding allopathic cough-cold medicines have impacted the homeopathic sector. Click below to download the free PDF of Drug Store News Virtual Homeopathy Roundtable.

March 14, 2010
7th Drug Store News Diabetes Roundtable

Leading retail pharmacy executives from Rite Aid, H-E-B, Kmart, Kerr Drug, Health Mart and Giant Eagle, as well as a select group of suppliers, met in New York City in December 2009 for Drug Store News' 7th annual Diabetes Roundtable to discuss the diabetes epidemic and the solutions retail pharmacy can provide.

Leading retail pharmacy executives from Rite Aid, H-E-B, Kmart, Kerr Drug, Health Mart and Giant Eagle, as well as a select group of suppliers, met in New York City in December 2009 for Drug Store News' 7th annual Diabetes Roundtable to discuss the diabetes epidemic and the solutions retail pharmacy can provide. Click below to download the free PDF of Special Report: 7th Drug Store News Diabetes Roundtable.

March 14, 2010
Drug Store News Virtual OTC Roundtable

Executives from H-E-B, Kerr Drug and Fruth Pharmacy, as well as OTC suppliers, discussed the issues in OTC aisles in a sluggish economy; and as the category faces a shift to wellness care, the possible demise of FSA accounts and an increasing Rx-to-OTC switch market.

Executives from H-E-B, Kerr Drug and Fruth Pharmacy, as well as OTC suppliers, discussed the issues in OTC aisles in a sluggish economy; and as the category faces a shift to wellness care, the possible demise of FSA accounts and an increasing Rx-to-OTC switch market. Click below to download the free PDF of the Drug Store News Virtual OTC Roundtable.

March 14, 2010
Special Report: Independent Rx

Like small but seaworthy vessels caught in a storm alongside much bigger oceangoing ships, the nation's independent pharmacies took on some water in the trying times of late 2008 and 2009. But in the face of economic upheaval, continuing attacks on gross margins and daunting competition from ever-larger pharmacy chains, most have ridden out the squalls.

Like small but seaworthy vessels caught in a storm alongside much bigger oceangoing ships, the nation's independent pharmacies took on some water in the trying times of late 2008 and 2009. But in the face of economic upheaval, continuing attacks on gross margins and daunting competition from ever-larger pharmacy chains, most have ridden out the squalls. For in-depth coverage of 10 of the nation's independent pharmacies, click below to download the free PDF of Special Report: Independent Rx.

February 15, 2010
Visionary Merchants

It's as if they have some kind of special crystal ball that reveals secrets about the customer and what she envisions a drug store should look, feel and shop like. Some people just get it; they see things the rest of us don't. Or, as one supplier told Drug Store News in describing a retailer profiled in the report that follows, they think in 3-D.

It's as if they have some kind of special crystal ball that reveals secrets about the customer and what she envisions a drug store should look, feel and shop like. Some people just get it; they see things the rest of us don't. In this special section, Drug Store News profiles six of these "Visionary Merchants" and how each of these executives has converted their visions into concepts that, for our money, reflect some of the best thinking in drug store merchandising today. Click below to download the free PDF of Drug Store News' Visionary Merchants

December 31, 2009
ECRM Branded Rx 2010

Stymied by weak demand in a recessionary economy, intensifying generic competition, a relative dearth of research-and-development breakthroughs and an ongoing loss of patent protection for some of their biggest-selling pioneering medicines, branded pharmaceutical manufacturers have scrambled over the last three years to restore their once-enviable track record for product innovation and sales growth. And 2009 was no exception.

Stymied by weak demand in a recessionary economy, intensifying generic competition, a relative dearth of research-and-development breakthroughs and an ongoing loss of patent protection for some of their biggest-selling pioneering medicines, branded pharmaceutical manufacturers have scrambled over the last three years to restore their once-enviable track record for product innovation and sales growth. And 2009 was no exception. Click below to download the free PDF of ECRM Branded Rx 2010.

August 9, 2009
ECRM Oral Care 2009

The challenging economy undoubtedly has dulled oral care sales as cash-strapped shoppers increasingly have turned to such high-value retailers as warehouse clubs and dollar stores. However, research suggests that manufacturers can help restore the segment's luster by focusing on offering the most value-added benefits at the best price.

The challenging economy undoubtedly has dulled oral care sales as cash-strapped shoppers increasingly have turned to such high-value retailers as warehouse clubs and dollar stores. However, research suggests that manufacturers can help restore the segment's luster by focusing on offering the most value-added benefits at the best price. Click below to download the PDF of "ECRM Oral Care."

July 20, 2009
ECRM Diet, Vitamin & Sports Nutrition 2009

Dietary supplements have been in the news lately, and not altogether for good reasons. Critics are crying for greater dietary supplement regulation after the recent recall of Hydroxycut, a popular weight-loss aid, and a number of Food and Drug Administration warning letters to companies claiming to field supplements but making outlandish (and illegal) claims, as well as the constant claims by professional athletes that the banned substances for which they tested positive were found in supplements they were taking. However, all concerns aside, the category still is performing well and projected to continue its rising growth trajectory.

Dietary supplements have been in the news lately, and not altogether for good reasons. Critics are crying for greater dietary supplement regulation after the recent recall of Hydroxycut, a popular weight-loss aid, and a number of Food and Drug Administration warning letters to companies claiming to field supplements but making outlandish (and illegal) claims, as well as the constant claims by professional athletes that the banned substances for which they tested positive were found in supplements they were taking.

June 29, 2009
2009 Hot Products

On the following pages, you'll find a list of 30 products — all recently launched or about to be launched — that caught the attention of Drug Store News' editors in a big way in the past year. It's a short list of products our editors believe will really drive incremental growth in the year to come.

On the following pages, you'll find a list of 30 products — all recently launched or about to be launched — that caught the attention of Drug Store News' editors in a big way in the past year. It's a short list of products our editors believe will really drive incremental growth in the year to come. Click below to download the PDF of "2009 Hot Products."

June 29, 2009
Business of Beauty - Budget Beauty

This installment of Business of Beauty includes L'Oréal's 100 years in beauty, a roundup of color cosmetics sales in 2008, Coty's success with Del Labs, Revlon's restructuring, value products' effect on the hair category, shopper buzz and more.

This installment of Business of Beauty includes L'Oréal's 100 years in beauty, a roundup of color cosmetics sales in 2008, Coty's success with Del Labs, Revlon's restructuring, value products' effect on the hair category, shopper buzz and more. Click below to download the PDF of "Business of Beauty – Budget Beauty."

February 19, 2009
ECRM Generics Rx 2009

In dismal economic times, lower-cost product alternatives that save consumers money are supposed to thrive, or at least hold their own. But in the midst of a global financial meltdown, even the market for generic drugs is faltering. The worldwide sales growth rate of me-too medicines slowed to a crawl in the 12 months ended September 2008, rising a weak 3.6% over the previous 12-month period, IMS Health reported.

In dismal economic times, lower-cost product alternatives that save consumers money are supposed to thrive, or at least hold their own. But in the midst of a global financial meltdown, even the market for generic drugs is faltering. The worldwide sales growth rate of me-too medicines slowed to a crawl in the 12 months ended September 2008, rising a weak 3.6% over the previous 12-month period, IMS Health reported. Click below to download a PDF of ECRM Generics Rx 2009.

January 18, 2009
Regional Rx Report

Like boxers in the ring, both regional and national players are battling for the win and striving to overcome much of the same challenges, whether it is an uppercut from average wholesale price, a jab from patients coping with rising pharmacy premiums and co-pays, or a counterpunch from the rival down the street. But despite the challenges and added pressure from retail heavyweights, regional players refuse to get pinned against the ropes.

November 10, 2008
Generic Drugs Special Report

The situation is like having plans to bake a loaf of bread for dinner, but discovering at 5 p.m. that the flour is running low, and there is little time to go to the supermarket to buy more. Generic drug makers depend on a steady supply of expiring patents coming from large pharmaceutical companies for their business. In recent years, a whole slew of blockbuster drugs have come off patent, allowing generic drug makers to lap up the drug compounds. Over the next several years, however, the supply of expiring patents will begin to run dry. Between this year and 2016, $131 billion worth of drugs will come off patent, followed by a long decline often called the patent cliff. Facing this precipice, generic drug companies will have to adapt as the market becomes increasingly commoditized.

The situation is like having plans to bake a loaf of bread for dinner, but discovering at 5 p.m. that the flour is running low, and there is little time to go to the supermarket to buy more. Generic drug makers depend on a steady supply of expiring patents coming from large pharmaceutical companies for their business. In recent years, a whole slew of blockbuster drugs have come off patent, allowing generic drug makers to lap up the drug compounds. Over the next several years, however, the supply of expiring patents will begin to run dry.

October 14, 2008
Walmart: Rx for an Upgrade

The pharmacy at Wal-Mart is in for some major changes in the coming years as the retailer looks to upgrade its prescription drug departments in keeping with a broader strategy to make the customer experience at its stores fast, clean and friendly.

The pharmacy at Wal-Mart is in for some major changes in the coming years as the retailer looks to upgrade its prescription drug departments in keeping with a broader strategy to make the customer experience at its stores fast, clean and friendly. Click below to download the PDF of Walmart: Rx for an Upgrade.