Operational Reports
Retail Services continued
Life branded pharmacies are part of a symbol group, led by
pharmacist members through a board of management, with
Uniphar supplying members with central management resources,
marketing, operations and central purchasing. Members in return
placing their wholesale business with Uniphar. There were 57
members in December 2016, with 8 recruited during the year.
Uniphar provides three dedicated regional territory managers
who work exclusively with Life members to help them to develop
their businesses. During 2016, we improved the value off ering
by tendering the generic portfolio to the market and by the
addition of new OTC and Front of Shop products. There were a
number of innovations and improvements in the services available
to members, including access to a suite of weekly Business
Intelligence reports issued to each store, assisting the pharmacy
to drive Rx, OTC and Front of Counter sales and improve
pharmacy margins through group deals and better buying.
Life has a national marketing fund to which both members
and Uniphar contribute. During 2016, there were two national
advertising campaigns, incorporating both TV and radio
media. This included a Christmas campaign in conjunction
with a national radio station where Life pharmacies enabled
the winning customer to ‘Bring someone home for Christmas’
and a successful fundraising partnership with the Irish Heart
Foundation. One of the Life member stores, Brennan’s Life
Pharmacy, Donabate, was awarded Best Pharmacy Team at
the IPU Awards in May.
In 2017, we have already completed a customer service pilot
training programme and completed a range of regional training
events. This was followed by the launch of a new mystery
shopper programme in all stores. We will complete a loyalty
roll out in Quarter 2 of this year, together with a scoping exercise
around an eCommerce click and collect model.
The Allcare pharmacy franchise has had a successful year, with
a 13% growth in membership, including the addition of two mini
groups, Johnston’s and MacCartan’s pharmacies, to the brand.
During 2016, Uniphar returned 11 Uniphar-owned Allcare
branded pharmacies to independent community pharmacist
ownership, with many of the stores being purchased by their
managing pharmacists. There are now 35 franchisees in the
86-store network and that number is set to increase further as
Uniphar continues to return Allcare pharmacies to independent
community pharmacy ownership at market value as the stores
become available for sale on a phased basis. An additional four
store sales are due for completion in Quarter 2, 2017.
Like Life, the Allcare pharmacies are looked after by three
dedicated retail territory managers who support owners,
managing pharmacists and their teams to improve the effi ciency
and profi tability of their businesses. During 2016, phase one of
Marketplace, focusing on Rx products, was successfully rolled
out across the Allcare network, giving franchisees and
managing pharmacists the opportunity to access the best price
in the market simply and quickly. There were also a number of
community events, including involvement by the majority of stores
across the network in the ‘Give for Good’ campaign, raising
funds for charities in the vicinity of local stores. There was also
strong support by stores along the route of the C.R.O.S.S. cycle
holding local fund raising events as the cyclists passed through
their towns and villages.
Although the original Allcare group of stores was created as
part of the solution to a problem, it has grown far beyond initial
expectations to become a signifi cant franchise brand across
the country, successful both for the franchisees and for Uniphar.
From the outset, Uniphar has been steadfast in its desire to
avoid channel confl ict with customers. As more Allcare stores
are purchased by independent pharmacists, Uniphar remains
completely committed to developing and growing the Allcare
network and the Allcare brand.
The Allcare brand is the largest
Irish-owned pharmacy franchise
group, providing an extensive
range of business supports
to its franchisees.
Life symbol group is led by
its pharmacy members
and supported by the
strength of Uniphar.
18 | Annual Report 2016
Annual Report 2016 | 19