While sales of prescription medications are likely the mainstay of your drugstore business, the sale of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines is just as important, and the way these items are displayed and merchandised can have a real impact on how well they sell. Much of this comes down to your particular pharmacy shelving design and placement. Today's options for pharmacy shelving are vast, with choices ranging from the least expensive basic units to the most expensive custom-made shelving built to order and designed to exactly fit your specific needs.
There's also a selection of pharmacy shelving in the middle of the price range that can do quite nicely for your OTC medicine display needs. This can even include affordable custom shelves, whether these are made from a variety of metals available or the more dramatic wood shelves manufactured through a custom millwork process. When compared to the sterile-looking, utilitarian image cast by conventional pharmacy shelving seen in most big-box drugstores, well-designed wooden shelves add a uniquely warm, natural-looking atmosphere that customers will appreciate.
Proven OTC Drug Display Ideas
The two primary objectives of your pharmacy's front-end shelving, which is where your OTC medicines will likely be displayed, are to keep your products organized and easily accessible. Ideally, the shelves and fixtures that make up your product displays will also be visually appealing and arranged in such a way to draw the attention of those traveling up and down the store aisles. Simplicity in navigation and a functional categorization for your various OTC medications are a must. In addition, staff members need to be aware of where everything is located so that if customers aren't able to immediately locate what it is they need, someone will be on hand to give them quick directions.
Here are some additional tips to consider when setting up your OTC displays:
- Today's pharmacy shelving is available in a huge variety of materials, styles, colors and configurations. You should consider using a variety of designs, such as gondolas in your store's center area, wall-mounted units around the perimeter, end-caps on some of the gondolas and a mixture of pegboard and slat wall backings for holding shelves, hooks, baskets, bins, etc.
- It's important to have the right products in the right places. One great location for popular OTC medicines is on the wall just below the prescription counter. A slat wall unit with glass shelves works well here. Customers consulting with the pharmacist or technicians behind the counter can be easily guided to the correct item to fill their needs. When popular, fast-moving items are located here, near the back of the store, and customers are required to walk down an aisle to reach them, thereby providing more opportunity to view other items they might want.
- Large displays should be created for seasonal items, such as those required during cold and flu season, during allergy season and during summer when sun protection or sunburn relief products are needed. These displays should be frequently updated as the seasons change. Popular items should also be featured in multiple store locations.
- When designing your store's floor plan, think about using gondola shelves to create a footpath you want customers to take, ideally leading them throughout all sections of the store.
- Don't overload your shelves with too much merchandise, and don't place items too high up, which makes shopping more difficult for the elderly.
Use these tips to help create something special and unique in your store. When buying new shelving, look into the advantages of going custom. When customers like what you've done, they'll be back!
