Dynamic development of drugstore chains: a market worth hundreds of billions of forints in Hungary

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 09. 13. 11:48

In the last two decades, drugstore chains have shown significant growth, both in Hungary and in other parts of Europe. The market for drugstore products in Hungary has now grown to hundreds of billions of forints, which is roughly equally shared by drugstores and hypermarkets and supermarkets. The dynamic development of the industry is due to the fact that customers are looking for more and more choice and a wider offer, while drugstore chains are constantly expanding their offer and store locations.

Currently, there are nearly 700 drugstore stores operating in national networks in Hungary, in addition to which there are 1,200-1,500 smaller stores operating as chemical and drugstore stores. The size and selection of stores has also increased over the past years: while an average drugstore was 200-220 m² 20 years ago, today stores with a floor area of 500-540 m² are more typical. This expansion makes it possible to offer a wider range of products and satisfy customer needs, the Pénzcentrum reports.

The Rossmann drugstore chain, for example, now offers customers 15-16 thousand different products, and every year 3-4 thousand new products appear on their shelves, from more and more domestic manufacturers. This varied offer not only gives customers greater choice, but is also beneficial for the Hungarian economy, as more products from Hungarian manufacturers are on the shelves.

Drugstore chains are constantly growing: more and more stores are opening every year, and the networks are working with larger and larger teams. More than 2,300 employees currently work in the drugstore sector in Hungary, and this number is expected to continue to grow as the networks expand.