The wide aisles, towering shelves and economy-size packages that make up your club store make it difficult for the average consumer to imagine how these big-thinking retailers could help with a something as personal and intimate as one’s health.
That perception stands to change as Wal-Mart-owned Sam’s Club continues revamping and customizing its HBC sections, as well as a growing outreach program managed by Sam’s pharmacies.
It started January 2012 with free health intervention for New Year's resolutions. They include complimentary free health screenings (“Valued at up to $100” states promotional materials) and smoking cessation consultations. The screenings consist of tests for total cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and Body Mass Index.
Sam’s joined with GlaxoSmithKline to develop the "Make this your ONE place to quit" smoking cessation program. The program includes a free, one-on-one consultation with a Sam's Club pharmacist as well as access to nicotine-replacement therapies to help the physical cravings.
OTC health resources are also getting an upgrade at Sam’s. The retailer has introduced an updated line of dietary supplements and vitamins. The old Member’s Mark name has been discontinued in favor of Simply Right, the newest part of Sam’s overall Simply Right store brand.
The formulations are only modernized, but so is the packaging. The Simply Right labels now include QR codes to “increase awareness and reduce widespread uncertainty about the healthy benefits of a vitamin and supplement routine” states Sam’s website.
Sam’s is onto something. A new survey out shows that pharmacists are rarely consulted on vitamins and supplements, compared to prescription and even OTC medications. The poll, sponsored by supplement manufacturer Nature Made, found that pharmacists estimate just over half of their customers ask them about prescriptions, buy fewer that 25% inquire about vitamins.