A NEW KIND OF DRUGSTORE
The story of London Drugs began in 1945, with the opening of a humble, 1,000-square foot community drugstore on Vancouver’s Main Street. In the wave of optimism that swept Canada after World War 2, the store’s name—a reference to London, England—carried the promise of peace and prosperity.
London Drugs soon established itself as a retailer that was unafraid to push boundaries. After a neighbouring camera store went out of business, it added a photography department—something that was unheard of in an era of specialized retail stores. It stayed open on evenings and weekends, including Sundays. And by the early 1950s, it had broken with industry tradition to offer customers discounts on pharmacy dispensing fees.
ACQUISITION AND EXPANSION
In 1976, London Drugs was acquired by the HY Louie Group. Under the leadership of the company’s chairman, Tong Louie, London Drugs entered a new phase of growth and entrepreneurship, adding locations across western Canada, and expanding its product mix to include consumer electronics, small kitchen appliances and quality cosmetics. In the early 1980s the company made more bold moves, adding 1-hour photofinishing labs in every store, and a growing number of computer departments staffed by technical experts.
A CLOSER PARTNERSHIP WITH VENDORS
By 1985, London Drugs had become one of British Columbia’s most popular retailers, with a growing presence in Alberta. But with its unique business model and eclectic product mix, the company was something of a mystery to vendors based in eastern Canada. Tong Louie and then-CEO and President Mark Nussbaum envisioned a “Partnership Presentation”: an annual, Toronto-based event that would help the company build stronger working relationships with vendors.
The first Partnership Presentation, held in November 1985, gave vendors an opportunity to participate in London Drugs’ first coupon book—a venture that soon became a massive success. Since then, the event has evolved into an annual strategy session that gives vendors deeper insight into London Drugs’ business, and a better understanding of how to grow their brands in our stores.
