In 2015, the chain’s owner plans to expand the network of pharmacies to 320-350 units.
“In 2014 we had a turnover of around RON800 million, about 30% higher than in 2013. We also made a net profit of EUR6 million, in adverse market conditions and considering we have made considerable investments,” said company general manager Ovidiu Wencz.
In 2013, S.I.E.P.C.O.F.A.R, which manages the pharmacy chain, posted a turnover of RON615.3 million (EUR139 million), down 14.6% on the year, and a loss of RON7.4 million (EUR1.68 million), nearly triple the loss it posted in 2012, according to Finance Ministry data.
S.I.E.P.C.O.F.A.R is owned by local businessman Eugen Banciu.
The company said prescription drugs account for the bulk of sales, 70-75%, followed by non-prescription drugs, 10-15%, food supplements, 8-10%, cosmetics, 3-5%, and other products, 5-7%.
DONA started an amble rebranding process of its pharmacies last year, which entails investments of up to EUR15 million in the next 4-5 years. In 2014 the company remodeled 40 strategic units in 20 cities.
“The rebranding process will continue this year. By the end of 2015 we target a network of 320-350 pharmacies. The final number depends on the number of licenses we can acquire, the operating profit of new and relocated pharmacies and, of course, on the overall evolution of the entire business and the pharmaceutical market in general,” said Wencz.
DONA currently holds over 300 licenses, of which 275 are active pharmacies.
The company plans to invest nearly EUR6 million this year, of which EUR2 million in pharmacies, EUR3 million in brand consolidation campaigns and around EUR750,000 in employee training.
Speaking about the pharmaceutical retail market, Wencz said it has stagnated in the past three years and doesn’t estimate anything spectacular in 2015.
DONA has more than 1,800 employees and serves 2 million patients across the country each month.
There are over 8,000 pharmacies in Romania, of which the biggest chains are Catena, Sensiblu, DONA and Help Net.