But, while that may be true, we just don’t understand why more of you don’t do it. That’s because we’ve been dealing with Independents for years, and we’ve seen the successes and rewards so many have reaped! We also consider ourselves a great partner to help you from start to finish – from the day you decide to open a store, to the day you decide to sell it. In fact, we believe we’ve become the experts at opening stores in our marketplace, and with thirteen new start-ups in 2002, our record proves it.

So, please, be encouraged about turning your dreams into reality. We believe you can practice your profession the way you’ve wanted to – independently! We believe you can invest in your own future and reap the rewards.

For more details on how we can become your partner for the future just click the links below.

• Location Analysis


• Financing


• Store Fixtures


• Layout and merchandising


• Front store marketing programs


• High profit niche marketing programs


• Home health care programs


• Order entry technology


• Testimonials

Location Analysis
Whether you have a location in mind or need suggestions on where to look, we would love to travel with you to view it and give our opinion. In the past we have met with building contractors, landlords, government officials and any other people involved in scouting locations. We’ll help you do the basic homework on the community and get a common sense idea of the competition and population…and we’re not afraid to steer you away if we don’t feel the community is ripe.

If you want to go more into depth with professional demographic studies, we know the right consultants to bring to the table. We can also direct you to existing locations for sale, or former locations that sold out. Many of these are waiting for a fresh new pharmacy to open. Periodically we post these types of locations on our web site – check it out under “Stores for Sale” on the menu to the right.

To get the absolute latest information feel free to call (1-800-333-0538) or email any of these executives: Larry Doud, our CEO (Contact), Joe Brennan, our Director of Business Development and Trade Relations (Contact), Lanny Doud, our Director of Sales (Contact) or Al Emmans, our General Manager (Contact).

Financing
Typically, start up pharmacies require approximately $70,000-$80,000 worth of inventory, $15,000 for a computer system, and $3000-$15,000 for pharmacy bays and fixtures. RDC can help with financing for any or all of those. Our policies are flexible and we can also tack on other purchases such as specialty lines of products, equipment or small construction projects.

Store Fixtures
RDC does business with several fixture companies, including traditional dealers such as Handy, Lozier or Streater, as well as pharmacy liquidators. Typically, liquidators sell used fixtures at a fraction of the cost of new, with relatively high quality. For start up pharmacies, fixtures can be financed through RDC. We also provide merchandising services to design store layouts, order fixtures, build them in the store and display the merchandise on them. Basically, all you have to do is give us the keys and we’ll build the store for you!

Layout and merchandising
RDC has been merchandising stores for years! We employ the “Four Corner Draw” theory, by placing four departments (greeting cards, the front checkout, the pharmacy, and the main OTC departments) in each corner to act as the strongest attraction to customers. By drawing customers to each corner of the store, the aisles in between are activated for maximum exposure.

When providing merchandising services for new stores, we begin with exact measurements and a floor plan of the location. We’ll give you a detailed drawing showing the exact layout of departments and fixturing. The only thing we don’t do is construction, but we can direct contractors how to build up walls and counter displays.

When you are satisfied with the plan we can order the fixtures for you and build them. Then we can place the opening order, deliver it to the store and merchandise it on your shelves. The picture at left shows what a typical health and beauty department looks like after we’re done building it – nice crisp planograms with common sense merchandising and a great product assortment to please your customers.

Front store marketing programs
To get the products rolling off your shelves, RDC has a wide variety of effective, yet simple front store programs. For instance, you can employ our “OTC Smart Buys” program, which highlights the top selling HBA’s with bold signage and retails designed to compete with the chains. We also have a “Compare and Save” signage program for our line of high profit “Quality Choice” store brands. New items are highlighted with “What’s New” signage, and occasionally we have a great “Hot Blowout” on discounted HBA’s that will really make your customers happy!

When you sit down with us, we’ll show you all of our great programs for the front of the store, and the back.

High profit niche marketing programs
Niche marketing is something you’ll want to do when you open your new store. Going after these various types of business will help you define your reputation and marketing focus in your community. Often times, new owners meet with local physicians to explain their unique services. The rewards of a well executed marketing plan can be astounding!

RDC can help you get started in several niche markets including Home Health Care, Diabetes, and Mastectomy products, just to name a few! We stock the products you’ll need and we have the people on staff to answer almost all the questions you could possibly think of.