Hua Xia Shi Bao·2025-05-08 09:13Core Insights - The chain pharmacy industry in 2024 is experiencing a significant slowdown, transitioning from a rapid expansion phase to one of reduced growth and declining profitability [2][3] - Six major private chain pharmacies reported revenue growth of less than 10%, with the highest being 8.01%, a stark contrast to previous years where many exceeded 20% [2] - Only Yifeng Pharmacy managed to achieve net profit growth, while the other five companies faced varying degrees of decline [2][5] Revenue and Profitability - Yifeng Pharmacy reported a revenue of 24.062 billion yuan with a net profit growth of 8.26%, becoming the only company to grow in a challenging environment [5] - Dazhenlin achieved the highest revenue of 26.497 billion yuan but saw a net profit decline of over 20% [5] - Laobaixing maintained a sales figure of 22.357 billion yuan, but its profits nearly halved [5] - Regional players like Shuyupingmin reported a loss of nearly 200 million yuan, while Jianzhijia's profits plummeted by about 70% [5] Store Expansion and Closure - Despite the overall industry challenges, the number of stores for major chain pharmacies continued to grow, with Dazhenlin adding 2,479 stores, Yifeng adding 1,434, and Laobaixing adding 1,703 [7] - The total number of closed pharmacies reached 25,114 in the first three quarters of 2024, with a growing trend in closures [5][6] Industry Challenges - The industry faces significant pressures from tightened healthcare policies, increased online competition, and changing consumer spending habits [3][8] - The competitive landscape has intensified, leading to price wars and promotional battles that compress profit margins [8] - Regulatory changes, such as stricter healthcare cost controls and increased compliance requirements, have further strained profitability [8][10] Strategic Responses - Companies are focusing on digital transformation and optimizing business structures to enhance efficiency and customer service [12] - Diversification into health products, beauty items, and health management services is becoming a strategic priority [12] - The integration of online and offline sales and services is seen as essential for future success, although it requires significant investment [12]