Walgreens places pharmacists in the aisles with iPads as health assistants

It seems that Walgreens 'gets it' and they are expanding their innovative healthcare attitudes by giving their pharmacists iPads as health assistants for their customers. According to the Chicago Sun Times, Walgreens has started a pilot program in 20 Chicago stores that gives the pharmacists a much stronger role in helping customers and patients with their wellness needs. The internet-based pharmacy was featured at the recent San Diego TEDMED. The new 'look' of Walgreens now offers patients more private consultation areas, ability to order online and pickup at the store and touchscreen kiosks for prescription refills. They have redesigned the look and feel of the Walgreens experience so that the customers can now take advantage of expanded fresh foods and health and beauty products.

The iHealthKiosk, by PharmacistsOnLine is the first affordable health and wellness kiosk available for the independent pharmacy. Now you too can offer your customers and patients an iPad style friendly touch screen that will answer their health questions, offer prescription refills, show daily changing health articles and, if you have the RxWebGenius, it will give your patients all the marketing tools (including coupons) and wellness products that are displayed on the website. Call 1-866-312-8324 for information.

Consumers plan to spend during the holiday despite concerns on economy

Research from a Deloitte study indicates that approximately 3-out-of-5 consumers (around 59%) will put their economic concerns aside and plan to spend the same amount or more during this holiday season. This is a decline from 2010, but an 8% increase from 2009 data. It is important to note that many shoppers plan on using online and mobile platforms for holiday shopping information. Internet and discount stores are at the top of the list with 48% of consumers using these two destinations for their holidays gift shopping. Online interest increased this year, however, discount sites did reduce by 10% from the 2010 data. 27% (approx one-quarter) of SmartPhone users stated that they are going to use their devices for holiday shopping, store location searches (67%), price comparisons (59%) and 46% to check availability of products. 44% plan to use social media to research discounts, read reviews and check/confirm friends and family gift lists. Alison Paul, vice chairman and U.S. retail and distribution leader at Deloitte LLP stated "Consumers are using online and mobile platforms to make the most of their holiday budgets, and the survey indicates that they will do more than just compare prices. Retailers that use mobile and online channels to show product availability, locations and pricing but add customized promotions and gift ideas may encourage shoppers to come in the door for a specific gift and take additional items to the register."

Study indicates: Online marketing drives 21% in-store sales life

According to a recent CommScore and DunnhumbyUSA study, online marketing campaigns have contributed to a 21% in-store sales increase. The study indicated that 5-out-of-every-6 online campaigns generated a positive sales lift amidst those households exposed to the marketing effort. Around 70% of the campaigns generated a sales increase in the double-digit range and more then 40% generated an increase of at least 30%. CommScore chairman, Gian Fulgoni stated "effective advertising has always been about increasing awareness, favorability and purchase intent in order to increase in-store conversion.' 'It's now clear that online ad campaigns should be an integral part of any CPG marketer's integrated communications strategy."

The RxWebGenius web presence gives you a plethora of easy-to-use marketing tools: email campaigns to let customers and patients know about special events, coupons (using the 'coupon wizard') with click-to-print ability. Add your Facebook icon link, videos and even flu shot schedules - and let your customers know about everything happening in the pharmacy. Our new Facebook Management Console auto feeds the website info to FB- making your marketing experience easier! The automated health and wellness e-newsletter, branded with your logo keeps your pharmacy top-of-mind for your customers. Call 1-866-312-8324 or visit www.PharmacistsOnLine.com

FORRESTER REPORT: How to choose the right partners for Social Media Marketing
Finding the help that you need among the throngs of self-proclaimed experts is a big challenge. As an interactive marketer, you need to use the new social technologies; but often have little time and a small budget. Since you have no choice but to work with outside partners, you need to choose the right ones. You need to partner with technology firms for additional services. Skip firms and companies that talk a big game about social media; focus instead on those that have real time experience.

Facebook Management Console from PharmacistsOnLine : A simple control area that allows you to check a box to choose articles, products, specials, coupons, etc from your RxWebGenius web presence to auto feed to your Facebook page. Compete with the chains by ensuring your pharmacy information is available 24/7 on your FB page. The iWebGenius allows your RxWebGenius web presence the ability to be SmartPhone friendly. Call 1-866-312-8324 to move your pharmacy to 21st century technology.

Fresh & Easy thanks customers with loyalty card

Fresh & Easy has officially launched their new loyalty card program as a test run in seven of the chain's Bakersfield, California locations. The 'thank you' card offers points for purchases along with emails and online access for points earned and coupons. Tim Mason, CEO of Fresh & Easy stated "We wanted to create a 21st century program to thank our most loyal customers and friends."

Compete with the chains with the RxLoyaltyGenius program: a true 'customer intelligence' platform offering loyalty and marketing tools.

Almost completely automated, you spend 10 minutes per month and have access to a technology tool that is designed to give your customers lifetime value. You can offer special services and products and become a marketing guru. Dollars are converted to points and rewards are automatically sent to the customer. They bring in their rewards and spend an average of 2-3 times the value of the reward. PharmacistsOnLine has a suite of technology solutions to keep you competitive and increase your margins.

Go to www.RxLoyaltyGenius.com or call 1-866-312-8324 for information

Independent pharmacies beat chain pharmacies in six categories

An industry study was conducted by Hamacher Resource Group, Inc. (HRG) a retail consumer healthcare industry's marketing and research firm, on the topic of the relationship within suppliers, distributors and independent pharmacy entitled "Supply Chain Collaboration: Maximizing Health, Beauty and Wellness Product Sales in Independent Pharmacy." This white paper has revealed that six health, beauty and wellness (HBW) categories are selling better within the independent pharmacy arena than chain drug retail stores. The HRG exclusive data opens up opportunities and trends that independent pharmacies can most profit and capitalize on. This information allows independent pharmacies to increase front-end sales and encourage better communication.

PharmacistsOnLine has been sending the message of wellness to our independent pharmacies for over six years. Our programs are focused on assisting our independents to carry wellness products and offer services that the chains cannot compete with. Don't waste internet 'real estate' listing your sale on cotton balls and bandages. No matter what your sale price is, you can't compete with the chains on their mass purchases. We share our relationship with over 5,000 suppliers of health and wellness products that you can easily display on your RxWebGenius website. We specialize in working with independent pharmacies and help you to differentiate your customer service attitude. Call for more information: 1-866-312-8324.

Shoppers are more compelled to buy when given online coupons and coupon codes

According to a new study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of WhaleShark Media, online coupons and coupon codes could drive sales for businesses. The research found that among 504 coupon site users that were surveyed, active coupon users reported that they not only spent more than the less active coupon users ($1,850 vs $1,025), but nearly 74% (three-quarters) of the active coupon users that were polled stated that they are more likely to try a new brand if they receive a coupon or promotion code. This is vs 54% of the less active coupon users. Additional information indicated that visitors to online coupon sites made around 18% more online purchases in the last six months and stated that they expect to spend 16% more in the next 12 months, as compared to the other shoppers. When the topic arose on how coupons or coupon codes motivated spending, 88% stated that the promotions helped 'close the deal' on their purchase decision; 60% stated they would be mor e likely to reconsider purchasing an item that was not previously bought if they had an online coupon or promotion code. 80%, a majority of those surveyed stated that online coupons and coupon codes boost a company's brand image and 88% indicated that it promoted positive feelings towards the companies that offer them.

PharmacistsOnLine offers the 'coupon wizard' as part of the RxWebGenius web presence. Take 2 min to create/customize the coupons that make sense for your pharmacy. We are the only company that includes a 'click-and-print' option. Use the email campaign to notify your customers of your coupons. Stop relying on supplier flyers and forced OTC specials and be the master of your own destiny for your margin increases. Call for a no-obligation demo/tour: 1-866-312-8324.

Walmart jumps into Facebook marketing

Walmart has increased the localization in their shopper marketing efforts via Facebook; creating approximately 3,500 store-specific Facebook pages, serving nearly 9.5 million fans. Social media is yet the latest marketing effort that many of the web savvy chains have entered. Stephen Quinn, Walmart chief marketing officer indicated that this move was an example of the company's continuing effort to engage with and listen to customers that want more localized experience on Facebook. Quinn said "Our innovative approach with Facebook allows us to bridge the gap between local and social, giving millions of customers the personalized shopping experience they expect from Walmart." The "My Local Walmart" app provides local info on everything from new electronics to hot rollbacks. Almost all of the big box chains understand the need for interactivity on their websites and social media pages. Blending the two has drawn more business and increased store sales. Gone are the days of the simple website. Customers want easy access, interactive, instant notification and social media friendly 'web presence'.

Who's taking care of your pharmacy marketing?

PharmacistsOnLine has a number of programs to enhance the customer service experience for your pharmacy. RxWebGenius 'web presence' with Facebook Management Console; RxLoyaltyGenius: taking loyalty to the next level of 'customer intelligence'; the iHealthKiosk: sleek, iPad style touch sensitive kiosk in your pharmacy for customers to view health information or your RxWebGenius site. ContentGenius: thousands of pages of health, wellness and changing information to add to your existing site. Call 1-866-312-8324 for information.

Favorite brands among youth and tapping into that brand purchasing power

A study done by Harris Interactive included 5,077 U.S. consumers ages 8 to 24 years. The survey presented 121 brands to the 8-to-12 year olds and 167 brands to the 13-to-24 year old groups. Harris found that Apple brands ranked the highest among the categories of computers, tablets and mobile phones. While this isn't a surprise to most of us, the additional brand revelations can be a key to tapping into the intense loyalty of the youth branding. In food and beverages, Oreo cookies, Hershey's milk chocolate bars, Sprite, Cheerios, Minute Maid and Capri Sun ranked the highest in their respective categories. The youth expenditures are expected to be around $211 billion in 2012, so recognizing which brands they favor will assist in preparing for future product decisions. Regina Corso, SVP for youth and education research at Harris Interactive stated "Youth of today have spending power and they also have loyalty to brands.' 'Brands who tap into this loyalty when a consu mer is a tween, and nurture it through the teen years, will have an extremely loyal customer by the time the customer is a young adult. Companies need to remember that consumers do not magically appear at age 18." Recognizing that today's youth are tomorrow's customers and patients is a key factor for the independent pharmacy. The chains and big box pharmacies are already working on marketing efforts to bring these future customers to their locations. Shopping experience is often based on 'habit', not necessarily the benefits or services. Changing a habit from a chain pharmacy to the independent pharmacy environment should be part of the marketing program.