A new incubator program launched yesterday with the aim of giving emerging Australian products access to shelf space in over 650 pharmacies nationwide.
Member-based network The Australian Pharmacy Alliance and online sales platform DaigouSales.com have teamed up to launch the Slingshot Brand Incubation Program, a first of its kind initiative in Australia.
The program offers emerging Australian brands ideal for retail pharmacy environment, the opportunity to put their products on consignment into an extensive network of independent retail pharmacies where their brands are placed on shelves in up to 650 locations throughout Australia.
The retail-placement program will not only work with brands to help raise their profile and sales here in Australia, it will also help with their export journeys further down the track.
“Unless you are an established brand, pharmacies and retail outlets don’t want to know you,” said Dr Mathew McDougall, founder and managing director of DaigouSales.com.
“If you want to export your products overseas into markets such as China, your product’s brand awareness needs to be on the rise in Australia and you need to be achieving strong local retail sales. This all leads to greater consumer credibility in your target export markets.”
Darren Dye, CEO of Pharmacy Alliance, believes the new placement-program is a win-win for both pharmacy members across Australia and Australian small businesses.
“Independent pharmacies are mostly mum and dad businesses who not only care about their local community, they also have a strong desire to support other mum and dad businesses and Australian SMEs,” Dye said.
“Australian products are high quality products designed and manufactured in well-regulated environments. By creating shelf space across our network of independent pharmacies to showcase and sell emerging Australian products means we are not only offering the community the opportunity to purchase high quality items, we are also supporting growing Australian businesses – and this is a good thing for everyone.
“Importantly, our independent pharmacy members will become known for stocking emerging Australian brands and this will bring shoppers into the pharmacies wanting to support and buy local Australian products.”