Pharmacy Daily | WholeLife strides away from Sigma

WHOLELIFE Pharmacy and Healthfoods have parted ways from the Sigma Healthcare group to focus on expanding their member base as an independent group.

Owners Vince and Frank Pappalardo (pictured L-R) said that "over the past five years, we have worked to better understand changing customer needs and the success of our stores is proof that our research and investment are working."

Research conducted by WholeLife in Aug 2022 showed that the WholeLife shopper is more likely to have a larger basket size, shop more frequently, and talk about the brand more favourably with friends when compared with other pharmacy brands, and convenience seems to be the key driver for choice of pharmacy store.

Damian Young, Head of WholeLife said that "WholeLife provides a proven and successful model that has been shown to increase foot traffic, basket sizes and revenue across a broad range of locations, demographics, and store sizes.

"Over the past 12 months to 30 Sep 2022, our stores have had sales growth of 32%, which is more than double of any other pharmacy brand in the Sigma portfolio.

"Our customers actively seek out our stores, and so we have shifted the paradigm that convenience is the key driver for choice of pharmacy store.

"We have had an increase in enquiries from pharmacy owners who want to understand more about the WholeLife opportunity and who are looking to capitalise on the differentiated offering from the WholeLife portfolio to stand out in their local area.

"We are ready to hit the accelerator on our store expansion plans," Young said.

Vince added, "watch this space! We have big and exciting plans, and we can't wait to share them with the market".

For more on WholeLife's new plans, see back page.