Back to Blog

Seven Trends and Opportunities for 2026 and Beyond

Providing your pharmacy customers with a professional instore experience isn’t just window dressing – it’s about creating a brand image that can make or break your business. It’s how your community decides whether to trust you, buy from you, and whether or not to book services with you.In 2026 and beyond, the most successful pharmacies will ensure that they present a smart store design which includes a credible retail health offer, and that they match this with efficient use of data and ...

The Future of Pharmacy

New Zealand’s community pharmacy sector is now stretched to breaking point. Over the last four decades I’ve witnessed a slow, deliberate destruction of the community pharmacy network that was built on trust and service.Stagnant funding, wall-to-wall compliance, and workforce shortages only tell half the tale. Creeping corporatisation – the spread of big-box, retail-focused chains with shareholder returns as the only objective – has steadily undermined the core values of pharmacy care.The...

Reimagining Retail

 Reimagining retail’s function within independent pharmaciesPaulette Crowley - Pharmacy Today magazine:Is there a future for retail in independent pharmacies, or has that been totally eclipsed by discounters? Paulette Crowley looks at where retail sits and if there is still a way for independent pharmacies to compete.“Retail is the last thing on my mind, to be honest. We’re far from thriving – we’re just trying to survive,” one pharmacist I rang for this article told me.That pha...

Join together for sector success

In a country the size of New Zealand, there is a lot to be gained by centralising essential services such as roading and rail, law enforcement, emergency services, health and education. The challenge for governments of all stripes is how to deliver local service that is responsive and effective, while the funding and planning is nationwide.The arrival of the “big box” Chemist Warehouse chain has changed the competitive landscape of the NZ Pharmacy market. Local pharmacies need to re-think th...

Community Pharmacy - Trends & Opportunities

John presented to the Moore Markhams accountant conference in February. Here's his presentation slides - get in touch with any questions!...

Re-merchandising - antidote Macandrew

...

Re-merchandising Papamoa Pharmacy

...

The Future of Pharmacy

We presented this seminar following our Hamilton Business Health Weekend for our IPG Members. Check out the presentation slides below.We are seeing opportunities ahead for community pharmacies - get in touch if you would like advice or assistance: john@theipg.co.nz...

Local Legend - Clive Cannons - Clive's Chemist, Wainuiomata

This month’s Local Legend is Clive Cannons - Owner of Clive’s Chemist Wainuiomata and Co-Founder of The ICPG. He’s the unofficial Mayor of Wainuiomata and the King of Community Involvement. This month’s Local Legend was truly a no-brainer. Clive provided us with some background into his career in Pharmacy and more by answering our questions below. Clive you’re a shining example for the vitality of community involvement in Independent Pharmacy through all you do. Before we get...

Sean Shivnan Pharmacy, Gisborne - Store Refurbishment (VIDEO)

...

Re-merchandising - antidote Mornington

The RPM team has remerchandised over 50 pharmacies.By implementing a new shop layout and planograms we can transform your retail results by increasing sales, reducing slow-moving stock and improving the customer experience!...

Get to know George Berry - The IPG

George is our newest member to The IPG team as our Communications Manager. Before joining us, he covered a varied role of jobs, all with the common theme of telling and sharing stories. From interviewing some of New Zealand's highest profile athletes, to marketing live events at one of Australasia's most prestigious venues, as well as playing music on the side, find out more about George through our Q&A below.1) Tell us a bit about yourself – What’s your background and your journey to st...

Get to know John Saywell - The IPG

Sharing cutting-edge and industry-leading data analysis and invaluable knowledge on service in Pharmacies is not just a job for John Saywell, its a passion and his purpose. Outside of his 9-5 job as CEO of RPM Retail and Co-Founder of The IPG, there's much more to John's life that you may not know! Read our Q&A below to find out more.1) Tell us a bit about yourself – What’s your background and your journey to starting RPM Retail and the IPG?I grew up in New Plymouth and my first job in p...

Get to know Deep Mehta - The IPG

6 years ago, Deep Mehta made a life-changing decision to move to New Zealand to pursue a post-graduate degree in Business Information Systems. After managing a Challenge Petrol Station in Christchurch for a number of years whilst studying, he came across a job advertisement to join John and the team at RPM. Fast forward to today, and he's now The IPG and RPM Retail's Business Analyst Consultant. Get to know Deep via our Q&A below: 1)  Tell us a bit about yourself – What...

The IPG Core Range - George Murphy at Hillmorton Pharmacy

George Berry from The IPG catches up with George Murphy from Hillmorton Pharmacy in Christchurch to find out how she uses her RPM Retail dashboard and The IPG Core Range to optimise and refine the stock in Hillmorton Pharmacy.Hear from George Murphy by clicking the video below!...

Lockdown hurts pharmacy sales - and presents an opportunity

Pharmacies are an essential service and are fortunate to be allowed to continue to trade during Level 4. However this doesn’t mean that they are prospering while other retailers are closed....