At the 2025 edition of Beauty Business, organized by CEW France, Nicolas Grélaud, Managing Director of OpenHealth, took stock of the results of cosmetics sold in this demanding channel.
Today, hygiene and beauty is a pillar of the pharmacy economy: 2.5 billion euros in 2024, with growth of 9%“, explains Nicolas Grélaud in his preamble. “A remarkable performance for a channel historically focused on medicines.”
A network in the throes of change
With around 20,000 pharmacies in France, the pharmacy network is changing. We’ve lost some 1,500 outlets over the past ten years. The trend is towards consolidation, with the gradual disappearance of small, unprofitable pharmacies and the emergence of larger structures”, says the expert.
Against a backdrop of medical desertification, the role of the pharmacy is changing.
Teleconsultation, screening, vaccinations: the missions of pharmacy teams are diversifying. The result? Footfall is increasing… and benefiting all product categories, especially hygiene and beauty.
What place for cosmetics in pharmacy?
“Ten years ago, we were still wondering whether there was a future for beauty in pharmacy. Today, this question is completely obsolete,” asserts Nicolas Grélaud. “Double-digit growth in health and beauty in pharmacies, with unprecedented performance for the channel.”
By 2024, cosmetics will be a major part of the French pharmacy economy. It accounts for two-thirds of sales, with growth of 10%. The average consumer basket …
