Major Australian pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse has opened its first-ever London store in Harrow this week.
The opening comes after the company announced in May that it was entering the UK market through a joint venture with “employee-owned pharmacy group” Green Light Healthcare.
Read more: Major Australian pharmacy chain expands into UK market
Chemist Warehouse said the new partnership “aims to redefine the pharmacy shopping experience for British consumers, combining an extensive range of leading health, beauty and wellness brands at competitive prices with trusted, pharmacist-led clinical services”.
“Customers can expect to discover an extensive selection of leading household brands across cosmetics, fragrance, skincare, vitamins, baby care, health and wellness, all at the competitive prices Chemist Warehouse has become famous for,” it added.
“Best of both businesses”
Chemist Warehouse managing partner and head of UK business James Kocharunchitt said the new location has “already received an overwhelmingly positive response from the local community”, with more than 700 customers visiting the store on the first day alone.
“Through our partnership with Green Light Pharmacy, we’re combining the best of both businesses to create a new pharmacy experience that puts customers, affordability and accessible healthcare at its heart,” he added.
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“We’ve been overwhelmed by the warm welcome and enthusiasm for Chemist Warehouse, and it’s been a fantastic start to our UK adventure.
“We look forward to building on this momentum as we continue to bring the Chemist Warehouse experience to more communities across the UK.”
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Back in May, Chemist Warehouse said that under the joint venture with Green Light, it will “license the Chemist Warehouse brand and intellectual property” and “provide retail support, including ranging, store layout, inventory management and marketing support”.
It added that GreenLight is set to provide “dispensary and professional services requirements and back-office support”.
Parent company Sigma Healthcare said both parties plan to “identify existing GreenLight pharmacies” and “where appropriate, develop or relocate these into Chemist Warehouse stores”.
