Health and Beauty Specialist Retailers in Romania

2021 DEVELOPMENTS

Chemists/pharmacies remains the largest and most influential category

In general, the overall performance of health and beauty specialist retailers is determined largely by the performance of chemists/pharmacies, the category accounts for the vast majority of sales, outlets and retail selling space in health and beauty specialist retailers. Chemists/pharmacies have a high status among retail outlets in Romania, with these stores seen as essential points of call for those in need of advice on healthcare, medicines and first aid.

Major chained players continue to dominate sales in chemists/pharmacies

The successful performance registered in chemists/pharmacies in 2021 can be attributed largely to the efforts of the category’s leading chained players to develop their operations, adapt to the harsh realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and take full advantage of any opportunities that the pandemic situation might present. With demand for a wide variety of consumer health products spiking as consumers looked either to avoid falling ill with a serious case of COVID-19 or, in many cases, to treat and manage the symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, a substantial intensification was seen in the advertising of OTC medicines and vitamins and dietary supplements.

Strong performances seen in beauty specialist retailers and drugstores/parapharmacies

Strong growth was registered in both beauty specialist retailers and drugstores/parapharmacies in 2021, although the reasons for the positive performances differed across each category. In beauty specialist retailers, growth was the natural reaction to the substantial drop in sales registered in the category over the course of 2020.

PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

A positive performance slated for health and beauty specialist retailers

The forecast period is expected to see health and beauty specialist retailers continue to register positive sales growth as the category continues to expand. While the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic can be expected to recede as the forecast period progresses, it is possible that further waves of contagion will spread across the population.

Strong growth ahead for drugstores/parapharmacies as leading chained player expands

Drugstores/parapharmacies is slated for a particularly strong performance over the forecast period and this is set to be the result of the increasing profile that the category has, with many consumers becoming increasingly aware of the convenience that these stores represent. Drugstores/parapharmacies tend to stock an interesting array of merchandise that covers pet care, consumer health, beauty and personal care and home care, as well as a limited range of packaged food and beverages.

Optical goods stores to surge ahead as demand for vision correction continues to rise

Optical goods stores is expected to register a particularly dynamic performance over the forecast period and the main reason is the increasing demand for corrective eyewear among the Romanian population. Many people postponed ophthalmologic treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic, partially due to fears that engaging with the healthcare system would expose them to the COVID-19 virus and partially because of the pressure that has come on household incomes due to the interruptions that the pandemic caused to commercial activity in key sectors of the Romanian economy.