CHICAGO – Sales were mixed in convenience store over-the-counter drug kits in 2019. Pain relievers declined in unit sales across all segments, with units down 3.5% overall, according to IRI. In-store sales of cold / allergy / sinus tablets and fluids increased; only gastrointestinal fluids recorded gains, with unit tablet sales down more than 4%.
In the weight control segment, dollar and unit sales are up for liquids and powders, but down for candy / tablets and chilled liquids. The downward trend in energy shot sales at convenience stores worsened in 2019, with unit sales down nearly 7%, according to IRI data.
In-store sales, 52 weeks ending December 29, 2019
| Type of remedy | Store sales ($ millions) | PCYA * | Unit sales (millions) | PCYA * |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain relief | ||||
| Internal analgesic tablets | $ 393.6 | 1.2% | 148.1 | (3.5%) |
| Internal pain relieving fluids | $ 8.0 | 2.6% | 1.0 | (2.5%) |
| Female pain relievers | $ 5.4 | (4.8%) | 1.5 | (5.5%) |
| Cold / Allergy / Sinus | ||||
| Tablets / packets | $ 162.6 | 5.3% | 43.2 | 1.9% |
| Liquids | $ 41.2 | 4.5% | 4.6 | 0.9% |
| Cough remedies | ||||
| Cough drops | $ 115.2 | 2.5% | 63.7 | (0.7%) |
| Cough syrup | $ 6.2 | 3.1% | 1.0 | 2.3% |
| Gastrointestinal | ||||
| Tablets | $ 124.9 | (0.3%) | 56.7 | (4.2%) |
| Liquid | $ 32.1 | 23.8% | 6.5 | 28.8% |
| Energy and sleep aids | ||||
| Energy shots | $ 674.9 | (5.5%) | 217.5 | (6.7%) |
| remedies for sleeping | $ 22.8 | 58.7% | 3.6 | 2.5% |
| Weight control / Nutrition | ||||
| Liquids / powders | $ 328.9 | 1.5% | 97.0 | 3.3% |
| Candy / tablets | $ 26.0 | (11.9%) | 11.8 | (12.1%) |
| Refrigerated liquids / powders | $ 7.7 | (25.5%) | 2.8 | (30.3%) |
| Vitamins and Nutrition | ||||
| Mineral supplements | $ 144.3 | 28.6% | 19.8 | 11.1% |
| Liquid vitamins / minerals | $ 110.1 | 28.5% | 16.9 | 3.9% |
| Multivitamin | $ 5.5 | (10.6%) | 2.3 | (10.2%) |
| Anti-tobacco products | $ 6.4 | (41.4%) | 1.1 | (47.1%) |
Source: IRI
* Percentage change from a year ago
Click here for full category sales data.
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