by Kelly Zygowski, category analyst, part of Monthly Retailer Category Tips
The first aid category covers diverse needs. Here are some considerations of areas to highlight as you refresh the department.
- The poison oak and ivy segment has been one of the fastest growing (and most profitable) sectors in the First Aid category1. Consumers battling poison oak and ivy rung up over $32 million in sales in 2021-2022. (IRI Anti-Itch-Sept 2022). Approximately 50% to 75% of the U.S. adult population is clinically sensitive to poison ivy, oak, and sumac2. With the change in seasons and the warmer temperatures starting to compel people outside, draw attention to your itch treatment segment and promote the idea of having items to soothe and alleviate these allergies always on-hand and part of family first-aid kits.
- Super lice are more common now because of overtreatment and misdiagnosis of lice3. Private label lice treatments are the top sellers over their branded counterparts at independent pharmacies1. Offer educational information on your website and in store about the treatment of lice and super lice to position your store as a resource for parents who may be with faced with it for the first time. The CDC has detailed guidelines and treatment information on their website.
- The US surgical procedures market is projected to reach more than 122 million procedures by 2027 from 106 million procedures in 2022, at a CAGR of 3.0% during the forecast period4. As an easily accessible and highly trusted healthcare professional, you are an excellent resource for post-op patients as they navigate the road to recovery, and first aid items are often products needed as patients heal. HRG conducted research on this topic of post-op recovery while at home last year and will be continuing to explore this opportunity, including what tools may help facilitate conversations with these patients. If you are interested in offering your insights, please contact Megan Moyer, HRG corporate marketing manager, at megan_moyer@hamacher.com.
- HRG’s proprietary PAC data
- Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac Dermatitis: What Is Known and What Is New?, Yesul Kim, Alexandra Flamm, Mahmoud A ElSohly, Daniel H Kaplan 1, Raymond J Hage Jr 2, Curtis P Hamann 3, James G Marks Jr; 2019 May/Jun;30(3):183-190. doi: 10.1097/DER.0000000000000472. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31045932/
- What to Know About Super Lice, written by WebMD Editorial Contributors, Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on May 27, 2021
- Surgical Procedures Market, Markets and Markets, May 2022