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HOOGResearch & Advisory

Healthcare & Life Sciences

Brand and Shopper Study for an Over-the-Counter Health Brand

Understanding how consumers choose over-the-counter remedies in pharmacies and online, and how pharmacists influence the decision.

Example engagement
Client
Consumer health company
Industry
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Geography
India (multi-region)
Duration
6 weeks
Capabilities
Customer & Consumer Insights

Research design at a glance

How the work is structured

India (multi-region) · 6 weeks

  1. 1

    Pharmacy exit interviews

    Shoppers immediately after purchase.

  2. 2

    Pharmacist interviews

    Recommendation behaviour and drivers.

  3. 3

    Brand health survey

    Funnel and attributes versus competitors.

  4. 4

    E-pharmacy review

    Digital shelf presence and reviews.

Qualitative depth

Interviews, groups & observation

  • Pharmacist interviews~40

Quantitative scale

Surveys, audits & measurement

  • Exit interviews~300
  • Survey respondents~1,500

Sample sizes are indicative of a typical design for this type of question; real engagements are scoped to the decision.

01

Client context

The brand had strong awareness but was losing share to private-label and newer brands.

02

Business challenge

The role of pharmacist recommendation versus consumer preference was unclear.

03

Research objective & questions

Measure brand health and identify the levers that drive choice at the point of purchase.

  • How do consumers choose between brands in pharmacies and online?
  • How often do pharmacists recommend or switch brands?
  • Which brand attributes drive choice?
  • What role does pack and price play?

04

Methodology & approach

Pharmacy exit interviews
Shoppers immediately after purchase.
Pharmacist interviews
Recommendation behaviour and drivers.
Brand health survey
Funnel and attributes versus competitors.
E-pharmacy review
Digital shelf presence and reviews.

05

Sample & geography

  • ~300 exit interviews
  • ~40 pharmacist interviews
  • ~1,500 survey respondents
  • Geography — India (multi-region)

06

Key findings

  • Pharmacist recommendation decided a large share of purchases for first-time buyers.
  • Loyal users chose by name; new users chose by symptom.
  • Smaller pack sizes attracted trial in price-sensitive regions.
  • Online reviews influenced repeat purchase.

07

Business implications

  • Build a pharmacist education and engagement programme.
  • Communicate by symptom on pack and online.
  • Introduce trial-size packs in priority regions.

08

Outcome

The company gained a brand health baseline and prioritised point-of-purchase levers.

Example engagement — Shows how Hoog approaches this type of question. Not a specific client project. Findings are directional.

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