Chemmart Pharmacy  is opening the equivalent of one new pharmacy every week, and is showing no sign of slowing down.

There are more than 330 Chemmart pharmacies trading, or in the process of opening, and with two recent additions in the ACT and NT, Chemmart now has a presence in every Australian state and Territory.

“We’ve taken positive steps to insulate our members from challenging retail conditions by introducing measures to reduce costs and increase income, which is proving to be attractive to prospective members,” Jonathan Layton, executive director of Chemmart, said.

Layton says following on from Chemmart’s success it will continue to put more health services into Pharmacies.

Chemmart’s program of health and wellbeing services has  led to a lift in sales in related categories, such as natural medicines, health foods, and health management products.

“Chemmart has also worked hard to develop one of the widest private label portfolios under its own brand which includes a strong dispensary offer. Due to the strength of our brand we also have industry leading substitution rates which significantly contribute to the profitability of our members.”

Early this year Chemmart partnered with the National Stroke Foundation to deliver Australia’s Biggest Blood Pressure Check, testing over 12,000 Australians in one day, and with CSIRO, launched the Impromy Weight Loss program.

“Retail pharmacy is a super competitive marketplace. Today, pharmacy owners cannot afford to run their businesses the way they did in the past. Innovation is everything,” Layton said.

“Our new e-commerce platform is also helping customers to shop with us whenever they want to, wherever they are. Most importantly, this technology is allowing our customers to maintain  relationship and continuity of care with their local Chemmart pharmacist, which is an essential ingredient of community pharmacy,” Layton said.

But, according to Layton, the most influential factor in terms of store growth has been the promotion of the Chemmart brand, activated by programs that focus on health and wellness.

“Chemmart’s positioning as Australia’s most progressive health and wellbeing pharmacy is succeeding because the stores and staff have the right mindset and focus,” Layton said.