Health and Beauty Specialist Retailers in Italy

PROSPECTS

International operators still testing the water in chemists/pharmacies

Following pressure by the Italian Competition Authority, in August 2017 the Italian Government approved Law number 2085-B, aimed at enhancing competition amongst chemists/pharmacies. According to the new law, joint stock companies are allowed to own pharmacies, and there are virtually no limits to the number of pharmacies they can own.

Good growth for drugstores/parapharmacies

Drugstore/parapharmacies recorded strong retail value growth in 2019, mainly driven by the positive performance of drug specialists. The main reason for this performance is the convenience of one-stop-shops for beauty, personal and home care.

Beauty specialist retailers records modest growth

Beauty specialist retailers achieved modest retail value growth in 2019 with the consolidation of important domestic and international players. Online sales are increasingly complementing the in-store offer, with retailers adapting and enhancing the online shopping experience to drive additional revenues.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Gottardo invests in Tigotà for growth

Gottardo is focusing its strategy on growing the Tigotà brand, to the detriment of its other main brand, Prodet, as well as Acqua & Sapone, which is a consortium of different owners. Tigotà’s new outlet opening rate remained impressive in 2019, and an increasing number of stores are converted every year.

International pharmacies begin to take advantage of liberalisation

Before the liberalisation of chemists/pharmacies in 2017, only Admenta Italia, a subsidiary of McKesson Europe AG, part of McKesson Corp, enjoyed a significant critical mass of pharmacies, controlling a large number of “municipal pharmacies” (farmacie municipali) and 27 Lloyds pharmacies. Following the liberalisation Admenta Italia continued its expansion, acquiring, among others, 27 pharmacies from Pharmacoop in July 2019.

Kiko extends its lead in beauty specialist retailers

Kiko extended its lead slightly in beauty specialist retailers in 2019. The company continued to consolidate its cross-channel strategy, expanding its physical foothold, as well as its online presence.

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