Pharmacy chain Doctor Stoletov boosts turnover 13% to 19 bln rubles in 2014
MOSCOW. March 3 (Interfax) - Pharmacy chain Doctor Stoletov, which has operated the Ozerki chain of discount pharmacies in St. Petersburg since November 2013, boosted consolidated turnover 13% to 19 billion rubles in 2014.
The company finished the year with positive EBITDA, board member Valentina Buchneva said at an industry summit.
The company closed 94 pharmacies last year and opened 24, she said.
In future, Doctor Stoletov will focus on developing discounters and will rebrand existing pharmacies for that format. "With time, not this year, I think this will take five years, we will reprofile all existing locations in that format. Several flagship locations will remain, such as Doctor Stoletov in Moscow, which will be in the premium class segment," she said. The company will continue developing the Khoroshaya Apteka pharmacy brand in Moscow.
The discounter format is effective, Buchneva said. "At present, Doctor Stoletov as a management company has recognized that business model as effective for it and we plan development in this segment. Ozerki provided a 12.5% like-for-like revenue increase in 2014," she said.
The company is also examining opportunities to conclude direct contracts with producers. "Late last year, when all distributors were raising prices, it was difficult for us. That probably gave rise to the idea that it was time to negotiate direct contracts. It is probably worth it now to seek out partners for these direct contracts," she said.
Buchneva did not rule out the possibility of participating in purchasing alliances. "Perhaps we ourselves will form such alliances," she said.