ALMOST 60% of pharmacists who took part in the latest Attain Pharmacy Market Sentiment Survey expect pharmacy business prices to increase in 2021.
Attain Business Brokers Director, Natalie Siranni, said the survey which was completed by pharmacy owners and employee pharmacists, showed 62% of respondents were looking to buy a pharmacy, with just under 30% of those hoping to purchase a store within the next six months.
Almost a third of owners reported that they intended to sell at least one pharmacy in the next five years, just over 10% planning to bring in a junior partner rather than selling up completely.
Close to 50% of participants said they expected to see a slight increase in pharmacy prices, with 9.7% forecasting they would "increase significantly", while 29% anticipate prices will "stay flat".
"The results from the second iteration of our Pharmacy Market Sentiment Survey show that the pharmacy business sales market continues to be quite strong and indicates that this will likely continue," she said.
"The results show very strong buyer demand and that supply of pharmacies on the market is likely to increase within the next 12 months."
When it came to locations of choice for would-be buyers, pharmacies on shopping strips came out as prime options ahead of stores in small shopping centres and single pharmacy towns or medical centres, with NSW the state of choice for new owners.
"Overall, these results show positive market sentiment for the pharmacy business sales market from both buyers and sellers," she said.
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