NACDS information portal ready for Web launch

Drug Store News, Sept 13, 2000 by Liz Parks

SAN DIEGO -- Moving quickly to lock in its position on the Internet, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores was expected, at press time, to have launched a prototype of its retailer/supplier information portal, chaindrugstore.net, on Sept. 6. NACDS officials described the initial test version of the Web site as a "raw, not ready for prime time" functionality test.

NACDS senior vice president Lance Clark announced the release of the prototype at the NACDS Pharmacy, Managed Care and Technology Conference, held here late last month. He said the service will have a full rollout in January. For the prototype launch, NACDS has signed seven consumer packaged goods manufacturers who will focus on 10 product category segments and who will use the portal to "push" product and promotional information to about 1,200 retailers and wholesalers.

NACDS anticipates that the retail and wholesale executives who receive content from the Web site will hold titles such as general manager, divisional manager, vice president of purchasing, marketing and merchandising, as well as selected logistical people.

Manufacturers participating in the test are: American Safety Razor, Energizer, Procter and Gamble, 3M, Warner-Lambert, Unilever and Bristol-Myers Squibb. NACDS is seeking retailers and wholesalers to participate in the prototype test.

Features on the prototype include selected category reviews, category trends and news, category management reporting and analysis tools, new product announcements, editorial content and links to trade exchanges and manufacturers' extranets. NACDS members who participate in the prototype may evaluate the content and suggest modifications.