Priceline double deal on low price
THE competition for lower prices has heated up with two Priceline Pharmacy stores opening in Townsville in the past 10 months.
The latest addition was opened at Willows Shopping Centre, Thuringowa, two months ago.
Franchisee Frank Terranova said the new store already had 32 employees and was building its customer base.
“It takes a while for word to get out there, but we’ve been glad to have a steady stream of customers coming in to the store,” Mr Terranova said.
“A lot of people are familiar with the Priceline name and have had positive experiences with the brand elsewhere.
“It’s been a very positive response, but it is still growing.”
The Willows Priceline replaced another pharmacy and inherited a strong medication dispensing clientele base.
Mr Terranova said Priceline stores in Townsville would benefit consumers through extra choice and competition.
Brendan Darr returned to his home city of Townsville to open a Priceline Pharmacy in Stockland Shopping Centre, Aitkenvale, in August last year.
He said customer numbers had grown considerably.
“It’s taken people a while to realise where we actually are and to see our good prices,” Mr Darr said.
“At first people were regularly coming in to buy our beauty products, like cosmetics and skin care, but now they realise they can get everything in one spot.
“Priceline is something people in Townsville have missed for a while; you ask women in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne where they go to get their beauty products and they will all say Priceline.”
Mr Darr said the standard layout in all Priceline stores meant customers could find exactly what they were looking for.
“It’s great for customers because everything is in the same spot and the products are familiar,” Mr Darr said.
The franchise is Mr Darr’s only store but he is keen to make other similar investments in Townsville.
Mr Terranova, who owns two Priceline stores on the Gold Coast, said he was excited to invest in Townsville.
“Townsville’s a place I enjoy visiting and I’ve been on the lookout for a suitable location for a Priceline for a while,” he said.
“This opportunity came and presented itself and I jumped at it.”