Warehouse signals move into pharmaceuticals

Discount chain The Warehouse today signalled it plans to move into pharmaceuticals.

It announces plans for an in-store pharmacy at its experimental Te Rapa store in Hamilton.

If that went well, then in-store pharmacies would be rolled out throughout its chain.

The Warehouse had not yet chosen its pharmacist partner.

Spokeswoman Cynthia Church said she was hesitant to say whether the move would result in cheaper prices for pharmaceutical products "because of the product are that we are dealing with".

"We will be taking a strong lead from our pharmacist in setting the pricing strategy," she told NZPA.

The in-store pharmacy offering a full range of services including a professionally staffed dispensary would be operated in partnership with a pharmacist.

Ms Church said the chain had had a health and beauty products section for years "and it seems to be a logical expansion from that".

Shares in The Warehouse were unchanged on $3.81 in early trading today.

- NZPA