New Year, New Opportunities

January is National Blood Donor Month, National Fiber Focus Month, and National Bath Safety Month. January is also California Dried Plum Digestive Month, Walk Your Dog Month, and National Polka Music Month! If you are looking to engage people with your digital media with a bit of silliness and or health-related info, visit the site https://nationaltoday.com. Engaging your audience is a good way to get them to come back for more! Bonus points for scheduling social media posts for the quarter and creating end caps or displays to match.

Planogram vs POS

Take note of the difference between discontinued and removed items in a planogram. Discontinued is when a product will no longer be available. An item removed from the plan is a product that has been replaced by a more sought-after item. It is essential to check your sales data on items removed from your plan; there is a chance that you will want to continue carrying the product. If your sales data has fallen behind or is not being maintained, make it your News Year's resolution to update it ASAP. You can't make the best decision on merchandising and control inventory without your current sales history.

Google yourself

Do you have a Google Business profile? If not, go to www.google.com/business/ today and sign up by clicking "Manage Now". If you do, log in to your account now to ensure everything is up to date. Include services you offer like home or curbside delivery, vaccines, and point-of-care testing. Be specific. Some of these things show up on Google Maps now. Double-check to see if your store hours and contact information are correct. You can now post-holiday hours in addition to regular operating hours. It is also important to add your website! When time allows, go back, and enter testimonials and photos. Make a goal this year to ask your patients to leave reviews of the amazing service they receive at your pharmacy.

Merchandising math

If you haven't already, pretty soon, some of you are going to look for ways to get rid of the pesky Christmas candy that has yet to sell. Before you go to 75% off, try buy one and get two free. Example: Three $1.00 each candy sold at 75% off is a total sale of 75¢. Sell one at a dollar and get two free is a $1.00 sale. If you are already cleared out this season, make a note for after Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day...

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