Storbie Named Pharmacy Awards Supplier of the Year

PRESS RELEASE: WELLINGTON ECOMMERCE PLATFORM, STORBIE, NAMED SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AT 2018 PHARMACY AWARDS

31 July 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wellington-based ecommerce platform, Storbie, is proud to have been named Supplier of the Year at the 2018 Pharmacy Awards held in Auckland on Saturday evening, 28 July.

In just 18 months, Storbie has become the leading ecommerce provider for New Zealand independent pharmacies, with over 20% using the platform. Storbie is recommended to pharmacies by the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand.

Storbie is helping community pharmacies engage with the changing generation of shoppers as well as prepare them for the influx of overseas discounter chains. With the option for a catalogue website, click and collect, or full ecommerce, pharmacies can choose the level of online sophistication they need to help their customers make informed decisions.

According to statistics released by Google, 76% of people who conduct an online local search visit a store within 24 hours, and in New Zealand there is an 18% growth in online searches for pharmacy compared to last year.

An innovative feature of the Storbie platform is the Pharmacy Supplier Network. Conceptualised in 2017 and launched in April 2018, it links supplier catalogues and point-of-sale systems with a pharmacy’s online shop, synchronising compliant and current images, descriptions, stock levels and pricing.

“We recognised that a big challenge for community pharmacies is time," said Storbie's Chief Executive, Shane Bartle. "The laborious process of loading and maintaining product catalogues can now be completed in just a couple of minutes.”

Storbie has successfully signed some of the biggest pharmaceutical suppliers in the world, including three of the top four suppliers in New Zealand, representing market-leading brands such as GO Healthy, Nurofen, Panadol, Flixonase, Scholl, and Voltaren.

Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand's Chief Executive Andrew Gaudin presented the Supplier of the Year Award at the ceremony to Storbie’s Chief Operating Officer, Samantha Howarth.

"This is a fantastic achievement for the whole team at Storbie and shows we have a strong product to help pharmacies in New Zealand," Howarth said after the ceremony. "Our Supplier Network has been well-received so far by suppliers, partners and pharmacies as we work hard to make online easier for pharmacies.

"We are aware of the importance of independent pharmacies in local communities and the passion and dedication they have for their customers and neighbours. It makes us want to support them and help them continue the good work they are doing in their community".

Retail consultant Chris Wilkinson of First Retail Group said the win was important recognition for a solution that pharmacies have needed for some time.

"We know how important digital visibility is for this sector," said Wilkinson. "Pharmacies with strong online offers driver ecommerce sales but also significantly lift in-store traffic too. It's truly a win-win!"

The Pharmacy Awards were held at the MOTAT Aviation Display Hall in Auckland, jointly hosted by Pharmacy Today and the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand, emceed by comedian Rhys Mathewson with speakers including the Minister of Health Hon Dr David Clark.

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Statistics from Google NZ Pharmacy Trends Q1 2018

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