Pharmacy Daily | Chemist Warehouse to China

CHemist Warehouse has announced plans to directly target the burgeoning demand for Australian complementary medicines in China (PD 26 Aug), via an e-commerce website hosted on online giant Alibaba’s Tmall. Tmall is a site used by millions of Chinese consumers to purchase goods and services, with Chemist Warehouse projecting $22 million in sales via the new offering in the first year, growing fourfold the following year to $88 million. The Victorian government has welcomed the plan which is expected to result in as many as 50 new jobs in Melbourne, where the new operation will be based. “Online retail is an important part of our growing economy. The Victorian Government continues to actively pave the way for more access to e-commerce with China for Victorian businesses and manufacturers,” said state premier Daniel Andrews. Chemist Warehouse has more than 300 stores across the country employing just under 11,000 people, with just under half of the stores and jobs located in Victoria. The strong demand for high quality Australian products in China was one of the factors which drove Blackmores to a record result this year, with the company saying it was having to increase capacity significantly and address supply chain challenges to cope. And last week’s takeover of Swisse by Hong Kong-based Biostime (PD 18 Sep) will significantly enhance Chinese distribution for the company’s products.

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