Sports medicine a winning choice for chain drug

Drug Store News, Sept 8, 1997 by Al Heller

The chain's variety is a mix of one-size-fits-all and specific-fit products. The obvious appeal to retailers of one-size-fits-all is the efficient assortment, which saves space and inventory dollars. Tru-Fit and Ace are the biggest advocates of this principle, with Tru-Fit expanding its offerings this year at American, Eckerd and Walgreens.

Dome Industries shows shelf efficiency in a different way -- with SelfGrip self-adhering tape, which does double duty as an athletic wrap and a racquet or golf club grip. It stays in place when wet and brings color and visual interest to the display. Its Handeze therapeutic support gloves address repetitive stress injury.

Said Drug Emporium's Largen, whose sports medicine venture is professional with fitters, nurses, billing specialists and rehabilitation specialists, "People will trade up if they feel an item will do more for them and they trust the person guiding them. They'll go from an $8 bandage to a $25 physiotherm, or they'll pay more for something adjustable that they can wear when injured and swollen, and later on as a support preventative."