Netmeds open first physical store

Netmeds opens its first brick-and-mortar store through a franchise in Nanded in Maharashtra.

The online pharmacy plans to launch a number of branded stores across the country, in locations ranging from metros like Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi to tier two, three cities like Surat, Ahmedabad, Pali, Rajasthan and Balurghat, West Bengal.

It has prepared a five-year plan under its brick-and-mortar programme to achieve a target of opening a minimum of 1,000 stores across the country.

At the moment, around 65% of the Netmeds's online business comes from non-metros.

Netmeds.com founder & CEO Pradeep Dadha said, "We believe that the neighbourhood chemist shop and the local pharmacist will continue to play an important role in the overall healthcare landscape, especially when it comes to serving acute needs. With an eye to fill a void in the market, especially in tier three and four towns, where there is a dearth of chemist shops, licensed Netmeds stores will combine the company's impeccable reputation in the pharmaceutical sector with the pillars of e-commerce – availability, affordability, and convenience."

As per the plans, these brick-and-mortar Netmeds Pharmacies will offer access to medicines that may not be in stock locally or via their supply chain, at lower prices.