Lil’ Drug Store Products celebrates 35 years of leadership and innovation
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (August 24, 2009): For 35 years, Lil’ Drug Store Products, Inc., has pioneered the non-prescription sample drug market and revolutionized health and beauty care in the convenience, grocery, drug and mass market retailing sectors.
Products & Markets
From the Iowa base where it began with a four-item product line in 1974, Lil’ Drug Store Products now serves consumers, wholesalers and retailers across the United States and in 33 countries. The company operates three separate but synergistic divisions: Convenience Retailing (provides on-the-go health, beauty and automotive products in convenience and hospitality retailers), Consumer Products (develops and markets health and wellness products that meet consumer needs through drug, grocery and discount stores), and International (focusing on expansion of Lil’ Drug Store Products offerings around the world).
Christopher DeWolf, President, CEO and co-owner, says “Lil’ Drug Store Products is a world-class consumer products company offering a wide range of items by developing and acquiring our own brands, as well as marketing goods from the world’s most respected companies. Our distribution network allows us the ability to provide these products in trusted retail locations throughout the world. Our strategy is to meet the consumer at the point of need, on a wide range of concerns.”
In Convenience Retailing, the company has approximately 250 products available in over 190,000 locations in the United States in three different categories: Drug, Auto, and Necessities. Through the Drug program, trial-size brands of pain relievers are distributed such as Advil and Tylenol, allergy medications such as Benedryl and Claritin, Mucinex DM and other cold symptom relievers. Personal care “Lil’ Necessities” products are available from Lil’ Drug Store Products, such as Carmex lip balm, Gillette shaving kits, Colgate toothpaste/toothbrushes, Scope Mouthwash and Head & Shoulders shampoo. The Lil’ Auto line offers products such as jumper cables, fuses and tire gauges. All of these are available through Lil’Drug Store Products’ world-class distribution network and provide life’s necessities for millions of people in any situation.
Timothy G. Hayes, Senior Vice President & Region Head, North America, Bayer HealthCare says, "Bayer HealthCare and Lil' Drug have been working closely together for over 25 years. Lil' Drug is a critical part of our trial and penetration strategy for many of our brands.”
Lil’ Drug Store Products’ realization that the women’s health care and wellness market was underserved led to the company’s 2000 expansion into branded products aimed at improving women’s health and quality of life. Clinically tested Replens Long Lasting Moisturizer, RepHresh Gel, RepHresh Pro-B, RepHresh Clean Balance, and Wellgate for Women currently lead the way in the feminine health, hygiene and personal care product categories.
“We research, develop and market highly effective, clinically studied products aimed at solving real problems and improving quality of life for countless women,” says Casey McGowan, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Lil’ Drug Store Consumer Products. “Reaching consumers through major retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target and Walgreens, we have created a family of products that make a significant difference in women’s lives every day.”
The company’s commitment to women’s wellbeing is reflected in the dramatic growth revealed by the Nielsen Company’s market survey of intimacy/enhancement products. Since Lil’ Drug Store Products entered this market in 2000, annual sales nationwide have tripled.
Innovation
Lil’ Drug Store Products’ business model is unique in the market categories it serves. The company began with the innovative idea of making premium over-the-counter health and beauty care products available to consumers in easy-to-use, trial-size packages, which revolutionized the sale of drug products in retail locations. Today Lil’ Drug Store Products continues to pride itself on its ability to recognize and respond to market needs.
Further, the company’s latest product lines, AriZona RX Energy Fast Shot and Office Depot Convenience Store Supply Program illustrate the way in which it has maintained and expanded its market leadership.
Lil’ Drug Store Products is taking the lead in the energy shot market by bringing the respected AriZona Tea brand to retailers in two-ounce shots. Don Vultaggio, Founder and Chairman of AriZona Beverages, says "The all-natural, green-tea based 2 oz AriZona Fast Shot is perfect for C-stores, and the Lil' Drug capabilities made it the best choice for a partner to launch it with us." This all-natural green tea beverage contains B vitamins and anti-oxidants, and is a one-of-a-kind in the rapidly expanding energy shot market.
Lil’ Drug Store Products is creating an exclusive marketing program with the respected, worldwide Office Depot chain, selecting and packaging a wide array of Office Depot and Lil’ Drug Store Products co-branded office products to maximize attractiveness for the convenience store retailer.
Tom Markert, SVP Marketing at Office Depot says, “Our relationship with Lil' Drug Store is just beginning, but we couldn't be happier with the vision that has resulted from our partnership: 80,000 or more convenience stores across America with their own Office Depot "store within a store;” 25 custom-manufactured office products, all under the Office Depot brand. Originally, I didn't think it possible... but Lil' Drug Store Products is making our wishes come true.”
International
In addition to North and Central America, the company’s distribution encompasses South America, Western and Eastern Europe, Australia and the Pacific Rim. Through its regional distributors, Lil’ Drug Store Products can meet unique cultural issues and requirements in these regions. Global acceptance is enhanced by the company’s International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certifications in medical devices and quality management systems.
Leadership
Lil’ Drug Store Products is respected throughout the industry, as exemplified by Chris DeWolf’s 2009 election to serve as the Chair of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA). The company has come a long way in 35 years, and DeWolf defines what makes his organization special: “Talented people, strong community and business relationships, innovation, and operational excellence have been the reasons we have grown and prospered. We take pride in being a trusted company and are committed to being a market leader for many years to come.”
Media contact:
Suzy Ginsburg
713-721-4774
suzy@gcomworks.com