CHEMIST Warehouse has confirmed trans-Tasman expansion plans, with chief operating officer Mario Tascone telling Pharmacy Daily "we expect to open our first New Zealand store in the back half of this year".
Yesterday the Dominion Post newpaper reported "rumours flying around" about a possible move, with speculation relating to a search for properties in the St Lukes region of Auckland's south-west.
Tascone said he wasn't able to release where the first New Zealand Chemist Warehouse would be located at this stage, as it was "yet to be finalised".
The NZ pharmacy market is dominated by listed Green Cross Health Limited, which operates the Life Pharmacy and Unichem groups comprising around 350 community pharmacies across the country, with a 50% market share.
However, Woolworths Supermarkets NZ offshoot Countdown also offers in-store pharmacy services (PD 05 May 17), making the landscape an intriguing challenge for new entrants.
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