Shopping locally has a string of benefits. From reducing your carbon footprint to helping create the identity of your community, we are huge advocates of staying close to home when it comes to buying what you need.
This is why we kicked off our Shop Local series last year. So far, we’ve profiled Kombu Wholefoods, from Bellingen in New South Wales, Manna Wholefoods from South Fremantle and CERES Grocery from Brunswick in Melbourne.
In our latest feature, we’re delighted to speak with Pantea Fotouhi, Retail Manager of Ramsay Pharmacy. Located in the Brookfield Centre in Melbourne CBD, Ramsay Pharmacy has proudly stocked Boody since 2017.
Although part of a larger franchise, each Ramsay Pharmacy is an independently-owned business giving it its own unique feel that suits the community it’s located within. We spoke with Pantea about her role at Ramsay and why Boody is the perfect fit for the pharmacy!
Hi Pantea. Tell us a bit about Ramsay Pharmacy.
The Ramsay Pharmacy community pharmacies are full-service pharmacies which provide the continuum of care for Ramsay Health Care patients, whilst also being a sought after destination within the local community for professional advice and expert recommendations. Ramsay Pharmacy franchisees are committed to providing contemporary pharmacy services, ongoing professional advice and quality healthcare support.
The Ramsay Pharmacy strategy is to provide exceptional customer service, community support, education and innovative healthcare solutions for our customers’ and our community’s needs.
The scope of these services include:
- Medication management and advice programs
- Home medication reviews
- Dose administration aids
- NDSS supply
- Blood glucose testing and diabetes support programs
- Cholesterol testing and support programs
- Chronic pain management education and support programs
- Post-discharge services and support
- Maternal Child Health Nurse consultations
- Allied Health consultations and services
The Ramsay Pharmacy brand is owned by Ramsay Health Care (RHC), Australia’s largest private hospital operator. Each community Ramsay Pharmacy is an independently-owned pharmacy business which is a franchise member of the Ramsay Pharmacy network. The Ramsay Pharmacy Group provides franchisees with a suite of franchise and support services to help them deliver on each of the brand promises for the benefit of the community.
You started with the team two and a half years ago as the pharmacy’s Retail Manager. What does your role entail?
The purpose of my role is to manage the non-dispensary staff and to achieve the required OTC sales, determine the team’s work allocation, manage the rosters and wages as a % of GP, to carry out sales activities and maintain store standards to the agreed standards.
You guys stock Boody in your pharmacy. What makes Ramsay Pharmacy the perfect fit for our everyday essentials?
Our store offers our local customers a calm and inviting environment to explore our vast variety of products available at Ramsay Pharmacy, Boody being one of our most-loved ranges!
We love to offer alternative products in our store such as natural skincare, eco products and natural medicines, which is why Boody fits so well.
Often customers may pop in on their way to work looking for a comfy long-sleeve or short-sleeve t-shirt to wear throughout the day, or maybe they need a pair of socks to make that new pair of shoes a bit more comfortable.
What are your Boody bestsellers?
Our bestsellers are by far the underwear range for men and women. Almost everyone comes back asking for more!
Socks are the second runner up. Being so comfy, with many different styles for all kinds of shoes, they are essential for walking around Melbourne CBD.
Tell us a bit about your team.
I love our team for many reasons, but I really love the diversity of hardworking individuals we have here who are all dedicated to providing the perfect customer experience.
We have staff from many different cultural and educational backgrounds, which makes it easy to cater to a variety of customers, we even have a naturopath here on selected days during the week – offering massage, meditation and much more!
We hear you guys take a holistic approach towards health and wellbeing. Talk to us about this.
A holistic approach to health and wellbeing is oriented towards guidance on how to live an optimally healthy and vibrant life. We advise our customers to consider adopting some of the holistic health values into their everyday life; after all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
You guys are positioned right in the heart of the Melbourne CBD in the Brookfield Centre. What are three things every person has to do when in Melbourne?
Visit the much-loved Hosier Lane and explore the constant flow of art! Enjoy the delicious fresh produce, sweets and cheese as the famous Queen Victoria Markets and lastly visit the many cool bars, restaurants and cafes on the Yarra River and take in the stunning Melbourne views from the Princes Bridge.
What are the plans for Ramsay Pharmacy in the near future?
To continue to provide quality customer service to all of our loyal customers... and hopefully provide customers with more of the amazing Boody range.
