Draft:Rowlands Pharmacy

  • Comment: The draft as written does not show how the company is notable; more importantly, the History section mentions nothing about the company before 1998, but the Branding section claims that it was founded in 1809. That's the relevant thing – the present-day history, and especially minor details such as branding, is much less relevant for an article in an encyclopedia. bonadea contributions talk 08:30, 26 September 2024 (UTC)

L. Rowland & Co. (Retail) Limited
Rowlands Pharmacy
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryRetail, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, beauty
Founded1810; 214 years ago (1810) in Wrexham, United Kingdom
HeadquartersWhitehouse Industrial Estate, Preston Brook, Runcorn, Cheshire,
United Kingdom
Number of locations
363 (2024)
Area served
United Kingdom
OwnerPhoenix Pharmahandel
ParentPhoenix Medical Supplies Limited
Websitewww.rowlandspharmacy.co.uk

L. Rowland & Company (Retail) Limited, trading as Rowlands Pharmacy is a British pharmacy chain owned by Phoenix Pharmahandel. The company is based in the Whitehouse Industrial Estate in Preston Brook, Runcorn.

History

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The company was purchased by the Germany-based Phoenix Pharmahandel in 1998.[1]

It was reported in 2013 that the company's sales fell from £513.9 million in 2012 to £492.7 million and pre-tax profit increased from £775,000 to £8.5 million. The company said it was due to reduced drug reimbursement and dispensing fee prices.[1]

In 2018 it was reported the company had made a loss of £12.7 million to 31 January 2018, down from a profit of £4.5 million to 31 January 2017. This was after some locations were hit hard by government-imposed funding cuts.[2]

In November 2023, it was reported that the company had lost £271 million in the last financial year, while they made a turnover of £405 million.[3]

Operations

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As of 2020 they operated 527 pharmacies,[4] but by 2024 that number had went down to 363,[5] as the result of the company's downsizing and closures of many locations.

Branding

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In 2009, for the company's 200th anniversary, new branding was introduced, designed by Guerilla Communications Ltd,[4] based in Newcastle upon Tyne. In 2020, a full brand makeover happened. The colours blue and white were used this time.

Mascot

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Rowland the Owl was the mascot of the company, he was registered with the Intellectual Property Office in 2004,[6][7] but was not formally introduced until around 2006. He was fully retired in 2020 as part of the company's rebranding. Additionally, in 2024, the trademarks for him expired.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Revenue falls for Rowlands-owner Phoenix". Insider Media. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  2. ^ Ord, Matthew (27 July 2018). "Pharmacy giant slips to a loss after being 'hit hard' by cuts". Insider Media. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  3. ^ Robinson, Jon (7 November 2023). "Rowlands Pharmacy slumps to losses of over £270m as branches closed". Business Live. Reach plc. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Rowlands Pharmacy's Long-Term Relationship | Guerilla". Guerilla. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Find a Rowlands Pharmacy near me | Rowlands Pharmacy". Rowlands Pharmacy. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Search for a trade mark - Intellectual Property Office". trademarks.ipo.gov.uk. Intellectual Property Office. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Search for a trade mark - Intellectual Property Office". trademarks.ipo.gov.uk. Intellectual Property Office. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
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Category:Pharmacies of the United Kingdom Category:Retail companies of the United Kingdom Category:Pharmacy brands