Germany’s major drugstore chains, including dm and Rossmann, are becoming increasingly influential players in the grocery and near-food sectors. Their rapid growth in these categories is outpacing traditional retail channels.
For drugstore retailers, diversification is proving crucial. While demand for traditional categories like detergents and cleaning products has plateaued, gains in food, health and nutrition are more than compensating.
Food now accounts for around 17 per cent of total drugstore revenue, with sales up 13.8 per cent year-on-year. Organic products are a key growth engine. The drugstores’ strong organic private label ranges seem to attract consumers that previously bought at specialty retailers.
Market researchers highlight consumers’ increasing trust in drugstores’ food expertise, with store visits up 6 per cent over the past year. Suppliers are also reporting heightened demand, particularly for innovative, health-oriented products.
With these positive developments, dm and Rossmann are expected to expand further into grocery, OTC health and fitness nutrition – creating new opportunities for private label producers across Europe.