Overview
Newpharma is the leading online pharmacy in Belgium and one of the largest in France. It sells over-the-counter medicines, parapharmacy, skincare, beauty, baby care, food supplements and health products online, and serves customers in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. For a health, beauty or wellness brand, Newpharma is a strong route to pharmacy-minded shoppers across several European countries.
Who is behind Newpharma
Newpharma is based in Liège, Belgium. At the end of 2017 the Colruyt family took a majority stake: its investment firm Korys bought 39% and Colruyt Group 26%. Colruyt Group, Belgium's largest food retailer, later increased its stake to 61% by buying out the minority shareholders, so that the Colruyt family now fully owns the online pharmacy. Colruyt sees Newpharma as part of its strategy to invest in health-related products and services, alongside its fitness clubs and health platform. Newpharma has grown quickly: in 2018 its revenue grew 30% to EUR 82 million, with about a third coming from France, and it then employed more than 200 people.
Market position
Newpharma says it is the market leader in Belgium for online sales of non-prescription medicines and parapharmacy products, and among the top three online players in France. In Belgium, prescription medicines cannot be sold online, so Newpharma focuses on over-the-counter and parapharmacy ranges. It has explored physical pharmacy formats linked to Colruyt's stores.
What the shopper sees
Shoppers find a very wide range of pharmacy and beauty brands, including dermocosmetics, supplements, baby care and personal hygiene, with frequent promotions and home delivery in each country. Newpharma runs local versions of its website for its markets, in the relevant languages.
How brands can work with Newpharma
Newpharma works with brands and laboratories mainly as a retailer, buying products and selling them through its websites. A brand approaching Newpharma should be ready with:
- Products that fit a pharmacy and parapharmacy range, such as dermocosmetics, supplements, hygiene, baby care or medical devices.
- Full regulatory compliance in each country, including cosmetics notifications, food supplement registrations and evidence for health claims.
- Product content in French, Dutch and German, depending on the markets.
- Promotional and marketing support, since online pharmacy shoppers respond strongly to offers.
- Reliable supply to Newpharma's logistics in Belgium.
Why Newpharma matters for brands
Newpharma combines leadership in Belgium with a strong position in France and reach into the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Backed by the Colruyt Group, it is a stable, well-financed partner for health and beauty brands.
How eBrands looks at Newpharma
eBrands works with brands on marketplaces and retail channels across Europe and North America, and beauty and wellness are core categories for us. If you want to see how Newpharma could sit alongside the channels you already use, we are happy to talk it through. See also our Shop Apotheke page.
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