Fierce fight among top drug retailers

In the first nine months of this year, the ten biggest pharmacy networks, controlling 15% of the market in terms of number of stores, mainly focused on moving pharmacies to higher-traffic areas and to a lesser extent on openings or shutdowns.
The ten biggest retail chains operate a little above 1,200 pharmacies out of a total 7,500, a level similar with that at the beginning of the year.
An important change in players’ ranking is Catena network’s having reached 230 pharmacies in early October, a level similar with the one reported by Sensiblu, leader of the market, according to the data released in mid-2010, though.
Asked by ZF how many pharmacies they hold currently, Sensiblu representatives said “there are 230 pharmacies in June 30, 2010. The next report will be issued for annual figures”. However, the Official Gazette holds information regarding the opening of a Sensiblu pharmacy in Lacul Tei area of Bucharest, so that the number of pharmacies in the network is likely to top 230 now.
On the other hand, Catena network, controlled by Anca Vlad, has opened 20 pharmacies and plans to reach 250 next spring. Sensiblu representatives said there are plans for adding 10-20 stores in 2010, so that a fierce battle for the leading position in pharmacy networks’ ranking is expected for the following period, as well.