Report: Loblaws' Galen Weston talks of pharmacists as nutritionists at shareholder meeting

BRAMPTON, Ontario — Canadian grocer Loblaw, which recently acquired pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart, is sharpening its focus on health and wellness, and envisions pharmacists one day serving as nutrition experts, according to a Financial Post article.



According to the article, Loblaw executive chairman Galen Weston outlined during the company’s shareholder meeting on Thursday the futures of the merged retailers as destinations for health and wellness.



That vision, according to the Financial Post, included pharmacists also serving as nutritionists who could provide “simple medical diagnostics and prescriptions.”



In fact, the health-and-wellness strategy was a key business rationale behind its acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart, former Shoppers Drug Mart chairman Holger Kluge, now a director of Loblaw’s board, reportedly said.



The article also noted that Loblaw is testing a “click-and-collect” grocery sales website later this year. The service will allow customers to buy products online and pick them up at three stores in Toronto.