Shoppers Drug Mart
| File:Shoppers Drug Mart logo.svg Logo used since 2014 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail pharmacy |
| Founded | 1962 |
| Founder | Murray Koffler |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario , Canada |
Area served | Canada |
| Products | Pharmaceuticals, health care products, groceries, cosmetics |
| Owner | Loblaw Companies Limited |
| Parent | Loblaw Companies Limited |
| Website | shoppersdrugmart |
Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. (commonly referred to as Shoppers, and known as Pharmaprix in the province of Quebec) is a prominent Canadian pharmacy retail chain based in Toronto, Ontario. It manages a network of more than 1,300 outlets spread across ten provinces and two territories.
The company was established in 1962 by pharmacist Murray Koffler, whose family still retains ownership of Super-Pharm, a related pharmacy chain operating in Israel, Poland, and formerly in China from 2005 to 2011. Super-Pharm shares several branding features and private-label lines such as Life Brand and Quo with Shoppers Drug Mart.
In 2014, the Brampton-headquartered Loblaw Companies completed a $12.4 billion acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart, paid through a combination of cash and stock. By early 2016, Shoppers had grown to over 1,300 stores nationwide, reinforcing its status as a dominant pharmacy retailer in Canada.
Overview
Beyond its traditional retail outlets, the company operates specialized services including 56 Shoppers Home Health Care locations (rebranded as "Wellwise by Shoppers Drug Mart"), which provide products for assisted living, home healthcare supplies, mobility aids, and medical equipment. Additionally, the Shoppers Drug Mart Specialty Health Network offers distribution of specialty pharmaceuticals along with patient support services. MediSystem Technologies Inc., another division, delivers pharmaceutical products and clinical care services to long-term care institutions.
The Wellwise brand debuted in autumn 2017 with a Toronto store dedicated to senior-focused health products. In February 2018, wellwise.ca launched as Shoppers Drug Mart’s secondary online shopping platform alongside beautyboutique.ca. Numerous stores provide complimentary prescription delivery using company-operated vehicles. Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation functions as a fully owned subsidiary of Loblaw Companies Limited.
The corporation adheres to the voluntary Scanner Price Accuracy Code overseen by the Retail Council of Canada.
History
At just twenty years old, Murray Koffler inherited two pharmacies from his father and expanded the business to 17 locations by 1962. The chain adopted the name "Shoppers Drug Mart" during the 1970s, with its inaugural store under this name opening at Shoppers World Danforth. Koffler revolutionized Canadian drugstores by focusing on professional pharmacy services and introducing a franchising system where pharmacist partners owned their individual stores.
The company’s expansion was fueled by acquisitions: merging with Plaza Drugstores (52 stores) in 1968; acquiring Cunningham Drug Stores in western Canada in 1971; launching Pharmaprix in Quebec through partnership with Steinberg grocery chain in 1972 (later fully acquired). Further purchases included Lord's Supervalue Pharmacies (1974), Super X Drugstores (1986), J.W. Crooks Pharmacy (1986), Pinder's Drugs (1992), Bi-Rite Drug Stores (1995), and Big V Drugstores (1995). The first Shoppers Home Health Care outlet opened its doors in 1996.
Upon retiring in 1986, Koffler sold the company to Imasco. David Bloom succeeded him as CEO that year and led until 2001; during his tenure, the store count doubled, sales quadrupled, and profits increased tenfold. Bloom also introduced the Shoppers Optimum loyalty program in 2000.
Following BAT Industries’ acquisition of Imasco in 2000, Shoppers was sold to a consortium comprising KKR, Bain Capital, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, CIBC Capital Partners, and senior management. Glenn Murphy assumed CEO duties in 2001; that same year, Shoppers Drug Mart became publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
In 2002, the company rolled out large-format stores featuring cosmetics prominently at the entrance, pharmacies situated at the rear, and convenience foods near checkout areas—often operating as standalone big-box stores rather than mall-based outlets.
By April 2007, Shoppers celebrated opening its 1,000th location in Toronto. More recently, the retailer shifted emphasis from pharmaceuticals toward food items and cosmetics; by 2012, non-pharmacy products made up 51% of sales.
In mid-2018, Shoppers launched its flagship store at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto.
In September 2018, Health Canada granted Shoppers Drug Mart a license to act as a medical cannabis producer. Although it does not cultivate cannabis directly, it secured supply agreements with licensed producers such as Aurora Cannabis and Tilray pending regulatory approval. Following the legalization of recreational cannabis in October 2018, Shoppers has not expressed plans to enter recreational sales; however, its parent company Loblaw Companies obtained rights to retail recreational cannabis within Newfoundland and Labrador.
Acquisition by Loblaw Companies
On July 15, 2013, Loblaw Companies declared its intention to purchase Shoppers Drug Mart for $12.4 billion, subject to approval from shareholders and regulatory authorities. The Competition Bureau granted approval on March 21, 2014, with the transaction finalized on March 28, 2014. Before this acquisition, the U.S.-based company Walgreens had shown interest in acquiring Shoppers Drug Mart.
Following the merger, Shoppers Drug Mart became closely integrated with Loblaw's grocery division. Shoppers locations began offering Loblaw's President's Choice and No Name product lines, while Loblaw grocery outlets incorporated Shoppers' "Life" brand merchandise, fostering brand collaboration.
Rewards program
Customers shopping at Shoppers Drug Mart accumulate points through the PC Optimum program (previously known as Shoppers Optimum), earning 15 points per dollar spent in-store. Certain exclusions apply, including lottery tickets, tobacco products, transit passes, prescriptions, codeine-based medications, Canada Post services, and gift cards not affiliated with the chain. Special bonus point promotions are frequently available.
On November 8, 2017, Loblaw announced the consolidation of Shoppers Optimum and its supermarket PC Plus rewards into a unified PC Optimum program effective February 1, 2018. The merged program preserves the earning rate of 15 points per dollar at Shoppers locations, with adjustments made for differences in point valuation.
Points can be redeemed at a conversion rate of 10,000 points equaling $10 and must be used in increments of 10,000 points.
Advertising and promotion
- "You're Gonna Be Happy" — early to mid-1980s
- "Everything You Want in a Drugstore" — from the 1980s to early 1990s, featuring Bea Arthur
- "Take Care of Yourself" — spanning 2000 to 2002
- "Your Life Store" — introduced in 2002 and ongoing (French: Vive la vie!), connected to the "Life" brand
- "Gifts Made Easy" — holiday campaign running since 2006
Controversies
In 2024, Shoppers Drug Mart encountered criticism over enforcing sales quotas on pharmacists for MedsCheck services, an Ontario government initiative reimbursing up to $75 per medication review. This practice created financial pressure linked to meeting sales targets. During one week in February 2024 alone, approximately $1.4 million was invoiced to the province. A class action lawsuit was initiated alleging unethical corporate conduct related to these imposed quotas.