The Shoprite Group has launched its first standalone pharmacy, MediRite Plus, in Cape Town.
This is the group’s third new store format in just over a week following the recent opening of the Checkers Little Me baby store and the smaller format Checkers Foods store.
Shoprite said that MediRite Plus would offer both pharmaceutical and wellness products, including collagen, almond milk, beauty, skincare, and baby brands. The group said that customers could fulfil all their pharmacy needs at the store, including specialised healthcare items like wheelchairs, walkers and crutches.
As part of the new launch, Shoprite has introduced a system called PrepMyScript, which makes it easy to pre-order chronic repeat medication. The group said that its MediRite Courier Pharmacy Service would also deliver repeat prescription medication straight to a customer’s door at no extra cost – a free service contracted to most medical aids.
Shoprite said pharmacy accepts all major medical aids, and customers can also use their Xtra Savings cards to benefit from the rewards programme.
Shoprite and Checkers are increasingly expanding outside of traditional grocery sales, targeting markets occupied by major brands such as Dischem and Clicks.
Shoprite-owned Checkers launched its first standalone baby store, Little Me, in Drakenstein in the Western Cape at the end of November. The group also plans to open another six Little Me outlets in stores across the country before the end of 2021.
While Checkers already has Little Me outlets in four of its supermarkets, the expansion to a standalone outlet shows a clear push into South Africa’s lucrative baby care product market.
“Little Me is an opportunity to offer our parent-customers fantastic baby brands at supermarket prices,” said Willem Hunlun, chief operating officer at Checkers.
“With a destination baby store, parents can browse the brands and products on offer at leisure, with specialist in-store employees on standby to be of assistance.”bustech
