«The result is simply stunning»
Interview with Mrs Karin Häfliger
Why did you decide in favour of a new build/conversion?
The trigger was our medical drawer system which was getting on in years. During the coronavirus crisis, I decided to replace it with a robot for medicine so that the time of the specialist staff would be less tied up in logistics. Before the actual remodelling, I gave a lot of thought to the existing processes, and so more and more was added – the desire for a second consulting room, an additional checkout, a separate back office and finally the total remodelling.
Why did you decide in favour of Global Shop Design?
I looked at various options. GSD has a lot of experience in the field of pharmacy remodelling, and we had already worked with GSD in the past. I particularly liked the fact that Pia Koefoed was very responsive to my wishes and paid attention to many details that are important for our everyday life – such as sufficient storage space – right from the start. Pia has a lot of experience with pharmacies, and you can see that from the very first plans she delivered. I also really appreciated the opportunity to see a 3D view of my finished pharmacy in the visualisations.
How did you experience the planning?
Intensive 😊, but very enriching. The visualisations made me realise a lot of things that I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. You must think about so many details, how you want to work afterwards, and what you want to store where. But it’s worth taking a close look at these things so that you don’t have any negative surprises afterwards.
How did you experience the implementation?
It was very good. I decided to work with Pia Koefoed as interior designer and BF Architekten as construction manager. Pia was responsible for the entire interior design and planning, as well as tenders for carpentry and metal construction. We clearly regulated this division of responsibilities right from the start with an interface paper from GSD. This interaction meant that I was very well shielded in my everyday life and didn’t have to worry about any details on the construction site.
How satisfied are you with the result?
The result is simply stunning. The materials, the colours and all the furnishings are perfectly suited to our needs. The only downer is the space, but we have made the most of the available area. The processes and procedures work as planned. And it’s simply amazing how closely the result resembles the visualisation.
How was the new pharmacy received by customers?
Our customers have been very complimentary about the new design of the pharmacy. They particularly like the wooden furniture, the colours, the good atmosphere, and the lighting. Of course, the technology with the medication robot is also fascinating.
How was the new pharmacy and the remodelling phase received by the employees?
It was a very intense time for all of us, but my team was really looking forward to the new pharmacy. We had the opportunity to move into a smaller temporary shop in the same centre. This was a good decision – we didn’t have any noise or dust, and we were able to take enough time for the remodelling so that we didn’t have any stress in terms of time.
What effect will the redesign and the new product presentation have on sales?
The good atmosphere and the beautifully designed display area mean that customers spend more time in the display area and take a closer look at the product range which is now beautifully and clearly presented again – making it a lot more fun to “shop”!
Mrs Karin Häfliger
Initial situation
Karin Häfliger has owned and managed Sonnen Apotheke AG since 1 January 2018. Previously, Sonnen Apotheke had been family-owned for three generations.
Global Shop Design was commissioned to carry out a partial renovation back in 2008.
In 2023, the pharmacy underwent a complete renovation to bring it in line with current trends.
Task
Sonnen Apotheke is the first point of contact for all kinds of health issues and supports its customers with honest and personalised advice on the treatment of illnesses, prevention and offers for health checks. The pharmacy’s profile is to be given an identity with an open customer area in fresh colours and clear lines. The design should also visualise the themes of “naturalness and individuality”, where customers feel comfortable in a modern, no-frills atmosphere.
As there is only a limited amount of space available for the presentation of the free choice, it must be focussed. Care must be taken to ensure that the sales area is not overloaded with products to avoid a loss of positioning and visually overwhelming customers.
Solution
To optimise the space and create an ideal presentation for OTC products, a picking machine was installed in the back office with dispensing points in the visual selection area.
A second consultation room was also added. The laboratory was functionally reduced to a minimum.
As the pharmacy is in a shopping centre and customers enter the pharmacy with shopping trolleys, a multi-part, curved shelf was installed in the middle of the entrance area.
Sufficient space was created on both sides for the shopping trolleys and enough free space was planned in front of the checkouts for discreet advice.
The shelves with the visual selection were chosen in neutral colours to create calm between the many colourful products. The background of the self-selection was kept in two contrasting colours to make the entrance area inviting and individual together with the ceiling baffles and pendant lights. The cash registers and plinth drawers were finished in oak to emphasise the natural theme of the pharmacy.
«Das Resultat ist einfach umwerfend»
Frau Karin Häfliger
CAD visualisation
A visualisation by GSD was installed in the mall in front of the construction site,
with a reference to the temporary pharmacy.
Counselling room 2
Handicapped accessible
Counselling room 1
For discreet discussions
Overhead-daylight
Daylight for counselling 2
Ceiling baffle
Impact Acoustic “Wave”
Pendant lights
Louis Poulsen Patera
Shelf sides
Expanded metal Ferro PO4
Cashdesk
Including pull-out, wheelchair-accessible table for counselling people with disabilities
