Consumables sales dominate front end

Drug Store News,  May 20, 2002  

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There can be no questioning the ever-expanding role the consumables categories play in the modern chain drug store setting. The top three highest growth categories in the front end of the store are carbonated beverages, beer and cigarettes.

While many might find this at odds with the drug store's positioning as a health care setting--at least, beer and cigarettes--it certainly seems in line with the whole convenience motif most chains are pursuing.

Looking across the rest of the top 20 fastest growing categories at the front end, consumables categories claimed nine of those spots. And running down the 44 consumables categories that generated sales of at least $30 million in drug stores last year, 20 of those were up in double digits.

Retailers' promotional efforts in certain segments, such as cereal, soup and detergent through the latter half of 2001 made a positive impact that is clearly evidenced in the double-digit increases.