Shopping at the chemist’s

The history of the chemist’s

Derived from the Dutch word ‘droog’ (dry), in the 19th century the term ‘drogerie’ referred to a shop that sold various dried herbs. Furthermore, these chemists’ shops sold homemade products such as toothpaste, skin cream and rubbing alcohol. Photographers also bought their photographic developing materials from chemists’ shops. It was not until the early 1970s that the first drugstore chains opened. Compared to the specialist drugstores that already existed, these were considerably larger and offered lower prices. Consequently, it was only a matter of time before the specialist chemists were squeezed out of the market. However, they did not disappear entirely; instead, they began to revamp their product ranges and specialise in specific items such as perfumes or health foods. There are now around 500 chemists in Switzerland, offering a wide range of products and located in a wide variety of places. Whether you’re looking for a chemist in Bern or heading out to find one in Solothurn, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.

Wide variety of products

Drugstores stock a wide variety of products for everyone. Not only women and men, but also toddlers and babies have their own range of products. This ranges from personal care products and food to individual items of clothing. Drugstores such as VITALOVE also offer complementary health products. These dietary supplements consist of natural vitamins and minerals. Common dietary supplements include, for example, vitamins B12 and D, iron and omega-3 fatty acids. As well as products for people, the range also includes many items for pets, whether they are dogs, cats or mice.

Shopping at the online chemist’s

Just a few clicks to the product you want: the shift to online shopping hasn’t stopped at chemists either. Online chemists are a great way for people to get the products they want without having to leave home. This is particularly useful for people who, for health reasons, are unable to leave their homes, such as those with chronic illnesses. Furthermore, in an online shop such as VITALOVE, there are no long queues, which can occur, for example, in major cities such as Zurich when many people want to shop at the same time. When it comes to delivery, most online chemist shops offer a choice of methods. The traditional option is to have the products delivered to your doorstep. This delivery method is free of charge, depending on the order value. Another option is to have the products delivered to a selected chemist’s branch. If products are not available in-store or you wish to order a specific quantity, you can use the online service to have them delivered to, for example, the Luzern branch. Online chemists offer a wide range of payment options. The most common methods are payment by credit card or TWINT. However, payment via PayPal, on account or via Klarna is also available in most cases.

Offers and discount promotions

Offers and discount promotions not only enhance the shopping experience but can also help you save a lot of money. You can usually find plenty of offers in chemists, which are often tailored to the season or specifically to public holidays. However, customers should bear in mind that some offers only apply when a certain quantity of a product is purchased. If you need that quantity, though, you can snap up some real bargains with these volume discounts. To ensure customers don’t miss out on these offers and discount promotions, most chemists rely on leaflets, newsletters and apps. The latter, in particular, is an ideal way to keep customers informed not only about offers but also about the current product range. To sign up for a newsletter, all you usually need is your email address and a quick confirmation via email. Newsletters are sent out at regular intervals and provide information on the current product range as well as special offers, new products and discounts. Often, simply having a chemist’s app can bring benefits in itself. Not only can you find the chemists you’re looking for in your area – for example, a chemist in Basel – but you can also get a discount on your shopping just by showing the app.