Multiples are the fastest growing trade channel for remedies for overindulgence or a sensitive stomach.
The fourth largest OTC sector, stomach remedies makes up 11% of all OTC sales, accounting for around £50m in grocery [Information Resources]. Indigestion remedies, the largest subsector of the stomach remedies market, accounts for 62.8% of total sales, and is rising, according to GSK's latest category report.
The number three player in the market with brands such as Setlers and Tums reports that while self-selection is playing an increasingly important role, the need for advice and support from a pharmacist, particularly the first time symptoms are present, is underpinning pharmacies' 60.6% sales share.
However, multiple grocers are now the fastest growing trade channel, reports Rennie manufacturer Roche, as consumers increasingly pick up medicines as part of their weekly shop.
Only one in five users is a frequent/heavy consumer, so there is still a lot of untapped potential. Roche Consumer, which markets the Rennie brand, notes that around 47% of sufferers do not medicate and, to bring new and younger users into the market, has launched soft Rennie variant Rennie Soft Chews.
Alka-Seltzer XS, Bayer's painkilling, stomach-settling hangover remedy, is also after new, younger users in the £11.9m grocery hangover market. Assistant brand manager Rob Williams says it will come in the form of "hangover-related NPD in the not too distant future".
Despite Rennie's leading position in the mild remedies sector, Roche does acknowledge a challenge in its grocery heartland from former P-licensed products positioned as offering serious relief and now GSL available as Pepcidtwo and Zantac 75 Relief.
Occupying a 1% and 3% share of grocery sales respectively, this new category is attracting new users and, possibly, consumers dissatisfied with other products.
However, Roche OTC category manager Pam Kemp believes the significant price differential between Rennie and these serious-end products will protect its market share.

{{FOCUS ON }}