Alliance UniChem sees retail growth
Expanding pharmacy chain boosted by efficiencies
Pharmacy group Alliance UniChem has seen healthy retail growth across the year.
In a pre-close trading statement prior to meetings with analysts, Alliance UniChem said that growth in its retail markets is slightly ahead of expectations. The group said its retail division continues to achieve excellent results, “with a significant uplift in sales and operating profit reflecting our efforts to increase revenues from enhanced patient and manufacturer services and improved efficiencies.”
By then end of November, the group, which operates in the UK and Europe, had added 84 pharmacies during 2004, bringing its retail portfolio to 1,181 stores, including 107 operated by associate businesses.
Growth in the group’s wholesale markets has been in line with expectations. “Our wholesale division has continued to perform well, with ongoing programmes to further improve service contributing to sales and profit growth.
Alliance said: “Given the accelerated rate of earnings growth reported at the interim stage and our strong performance since then, we are confident that we will deliver a high rate of growth for the year as a whole.”
