| Thu 19 Sep 2002, 12:54 | | New Clicks Launches Priceline Pharmacy |
|
New Clicks launches Priceline Pharmacy
New Clicks Holdings Limited
News release
New Clicks launches Priceline Pharmacy
Retail specialist announces new pharmacy banner group in Australia
New Clicks Australia (NCA), the Australian subsidiary of New Clicks Holdings,
has launched its new pharmacy banner group, Priceline Pharmacy.
Priceline Pharmacy is being offered to pharmacists as a franchising
opportunity, leveraging off the established support services infrastructure of
New Clicks and the learnings gained from the group`s involvement in the South
African healthcare market.
At the opening of the pilot store in Pakenham, Victoria, Jeff Sher, NCA
country leader, said: "Priceline is Australia`s fastest growing retailer of
beauty, health and lifestyle products, and Priceline Pharmacy is a strategic
progression for our business."
"New Clicks has been developing the infrastructure to manage pharmacy
operations in Australia for the past two years, and our shared services model
across our retail brands will provide economies of scale that will deliver
better margins, and thus improved profitability and sustainability," said Sher.
New Clicks has specialist retail skills in a shared services structure that
provides efficient supply chain management, marketing, buying, finance and
administration, and centralised distribution.
NCA will also provide a comprehensive and integrated marketing program that
will generate more customers, increase average transaction size, engineer repeat
visits and deliver a better business outcome.
"The Priceline ClubCard loyalty program, which has signed more than 750,000
members since its launch in June, will be a pivotal marketing element. The
average basket size of cardholders is 75 per cent greater than non-card holders.
Priceline Pharmacy franchisees will be able to capitalise on this program and
use it to build customer loyalty," Sher added.
Trevor Honneysett, group leader for New Clicks Holdings, says the move into
Priceline Pharmacy adds further weight to the group`s transnational healthcare
strategy.
"The Australian market has nearly 5 000 pharmacies, about double the number
in South Africa. Of these, around 40% belong to some form of banner group, and
the balance are independent pharmacies. In line with the international trend,
independents are increasingly grouping together. We are therefore entering the
market at an opportune time.
"New Clicks and pharmacies are a natural fit - strategic partnerships in
which the pharmacists deliver the patient care and customer service while New
Clicks delivers a successful retail format and, through Priceline, a powerful
brand," says Honneysett.
Ends
Issued by: Lucy Reyburn Investor Relations 082 922 7483
or 021 761 9700
Date: 18 September 2002
Contact: Jeff Sher, New Clicks Australia
Tel: 0961 3 9730 8009
Or: Peter Green, New Clicks Holdings
Tel: 021 460 1181 / 1911
Notes to editors:
New Clicks Australia operates the House, Price attack, Priceline and Priceline
Pharmacy brands, with 130 company-owned and 184 franchised outlets.
* Priceline Pharmacy in Pakenham, Victoria, has been chosen as the test market
for New Clicks new pharmacy formula. NCA will develop the Pakenham store into a
definitive community drugstore, with a compelling beauty offer complementing
pharmacy services.
* Priceline Pharmacy is being offered to pharmacists as a franchising
opportunity, with the theme: `Look good to your customers. Feel good about your
future`.
Date: 19/09/2002 10:00:00 AM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
