Who Owns My Chemist?

My Chemist's history is closely tied to the broader story of Chemist Warehouse Group, which was founded in 2000 by Jack Gance and Mario Verrocchi in Melbourne, Victoria. Chemist Warehouse was established as a discount pharmacy retailer, offering prescription medications and over-the-counter health and beauty products at significantly lower prices than traditional pharmacy retailers. The discount model disrupted the Australian pharmacy market, which had historically operated with relatively uniform pricing across independent and banner group pharmacies.

Chemist Warehouse grew rapidly through the 2000s and 2010s, expanding its store network across Australia and building a reputation as the country's lowest-price pharmacy destination. The company's aggressive pricing, large store formats, and extensive product range attracted a large and loyal customer base, making Chemist Warehouse the dominant pharmacy retailer in Australia by store count and revenue.

As Chemist Warehouse Group's core discount pharmacy brand matured, the company developed My Chemist as a complementary brand targeting a different customer segment. My Chemist was established in 2015 as a premium pharmacy retail format, offering a more curated product selection, enhanced customer service, and a more premium store environment than the Chemist Warehouse discount format.

The My Chemist brand was designed to serve customers who prioritize personalized healthcare advice, a more intimate shopping environment, and a curated selection of premium health and beauty products, rather than the broadest possible product range at the lowest possible prices. This positioning allowed Chemist Warehouse Group to serve a wider range of customer preferences across the Australian pharmacy market.

My Chemist stores are typically located in shopping centers and high-street retail locations, with store designs that emphasize a more refined aesthetic than the warehouse-style Chemist Warehouse stores. The brand employs pharmacists and trained health consultants who provide personalized advice on medications, vitamins, skincare, and other health and wellness products.

Throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s, My Chemist expanded its store network across Australia, establishing locations in metropolitan and suburban markets. The brand developed a range of private label health and beauty products sold exclusively through My Chemist stores, complementing the national and international brands available in its product range.

Chemist Warehouse Group's scale as Australia's largest pharmacy retailer provides My Chemist with significant purchasing power and supply chain advantages, enabling competitive pricing despite the brand's premium positioning.