Drug Outlets Expanding into Multi-Item Stores
In a shift that is blurring the lines between traditional drugstores and supermarkets, drugstores are increasingly transforming into comprehensive health and wellness destinations. This transformation, part of a broader retail movement, is characterized by a strong focus on health, wellness, and organic product offerings.
According to a 2024 study by retail expert Eva Stüber, organic food sales are expected to see significant continued growth by 2030, with drugstores set to benefit the most. In Germany, every fifth paid euro spent on organic food (excluding fresh produce and baby food) is already at drugstores. This trend is particularly evident in the growth rate of organic food sales in drugstores, which was nearly 21 percent from January to April 2025, significantly higher than supermarkets (+6.6) and discount stores (+7.6).
Supermarkets and retailers like Kroger are repositioning themselves as wellness-focused destinations, broadening their range of protein-based, organic, and health-conscious products. This shift toward health-driven assortments is reflected industry-wide, with global retailers such as Tesco, Aldi, and Carrefour also expanding offerings in low-glycaemic, heart-friendly, and organic categories.
Major retailers like Walmart and Amazon are ramping up their pharmaceutical services to capture a larger share of the healthcare market. Walmart, for example, has launched pharmacy delivery services and large prescription processing facilities, supporting an integrated retail-healthcare experience. Meanwhile, traditional drugstores such as Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS are declining in prominence.
This retail transformation is also supported by digital tools such as predictive analytics and omnichannel integration, which help optimize inventory and tailor health-related product availability to localized customer demand, enhancing convenience and customer engagement.
However, it's important to note that drugstores are not expected to become small supermarkets. Customers should not be overwhelmed with too many new product ranges, as warned by YouGov expert Arneth. Drugstore chains like dm, Rossmann, and Müller plan to continue expanding their food product range, but with a focus on maintaining a manageable and well-organized shopping experience.
Drugstores have established themselves as a fixed stop for shopping, particularly in the areas of organic and health products. Today, drugstores' ranges include various food items such as muesli, pasta, soup, olive oil, and meat alternatives. Nearly half of grocery sales in drugstores are from organic products, and the share of sales from groceries in drugstores has increased from 16.4 to 20.6 percent in the past five years, generating revenues of 2.8 billion euros.
Urban residents are increasingly opting for organic products, with nearly a third (28 percent) of consumers buying groceries at drugstores once a week. For 42 percent of respondents, groceries are the main reason for visiting drugstores. As this trend continues, drugstores are set to play an increasingly significant role in the retail landscape, offering a convenient and trustworthy alternative for health-conscious shoppers.
- The study by retail expert Eva Stüber in 2024 predicts that organic food sales will see significant growth by 2030, with drugstores expected to benefit the most, especially in Germany where every fifth euro spent on organic food (excluding fresh produce and baby food) is already spent at drugstores.
- Supermarkets and retailers like Kroger are repositioning themselves as wellness-focused destinations, broadening their range of protein-based, organic, and health-conscious products, similar to global retailers such as Tesco, Aldi, and Carrefour.
- Major retailers like Walmart and Amazon are increasing their pharmaceutical services to capture a larger share of the healthcare market, while traditional drugstores such as Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS are declining in prominence.
- In the transformation of the retail landscape, drugstores have established themselves as a fixed stop for shopping, particularly in the areas of organic and health products, with their ranges including various food items such as muesli, pasta, soup, olive oil, and meat alternatives. Nearly half of grocery sales in drugstores are from organic products, and the share of sales from groceries in drugstores has increased significantly in the past five years.
