5 Ways to Get Your Pharmacy Summer-Ready

Summer vacations are just around the corner—some may have already kicked off! Whether your customers are headed to the beach or staying local, summer brings unique opportunities (and challenges) for your pharmacy.

From shifting product demand to team time off, a little prep work now can go a long way. With the right tools and planning, your pharmacy can stay efficient, well-stocked, and profitable all summer long.

Here’s how to get ahead of the season and keep your pharmacy running smoothly—no matter who’s on vacation.

Stock (and Display) for the Season

As temperatures rise, so does the need for sunscreen, allergy relief, bug spray, hydration products, travel-size essentials, and first-aid items. If your front-end still looks like flu season, it’s time for a refresh.

Use your point-of-sale (POS) product movement reports from last summer to see which items were hot sellers and which ones missed the mark. Pay special attention to ROI—not just what sold, but what was most profitable.

Create new endcaps and front-of-store displays that highlight these products. Keep it visually appealing and easy to shop. A few well-placed items can spark impulse buys and boost your bottom line—even if you only carry a limited selection of front-end products.

Review & Adjust Inventory Levels

Seasonal changes often call for tweaks in your inventory strategy. If you’re ordering based on min/max levels, take a few minutes to review those settings. Does your current stock reflect the pace and pattern of summer sales?

Your POS system can help you run quick reports by department, category, or item. This ensures you’re not overstocked on slow movers or underprepared for high-demand items. If you’ve been doing regular active recovery on your front end, you’re already ahead of the game. If not—now’s a great time to start!

Schedule Summer Promotions in Advance

The best part of planning ahead? More time to enjoy your summer.

Decide on your promotions for the next few months now and schedule them directly in your POS system. You can set start and end dates, promotional pricing, and included items in advance—so everything runs like clockwork, even if you're out of the office.

Bonus tip: Use social media scheduling tools (like Facebook’s native scheduler or platforms like Buffer or Hootsuite) to plan your promo posts ahead of time, too. That way your digital presence keeps working even when you’re off the clock.

Run Automated Reports

Whether you're sipping coffee at your desk or catching up after a trip, having the right data ready to go makes all the difference.

Set your POS reports to run automatically. Product movement, transaction volume, department performance—whatever helps you make smart decisions faster. Regular reporting helps you monitor display performance, track the impact of promotions, and adjust staffing as needed.

Plan for Time Off with an Escalation Strategy

Summer isn’t just vacation season for your customers—your team will likely be taking time off too.

To keep things running smoothly, set a clear escalation plan. Make sure staff know who to contact for specific issues, where to find important information (including your support contacts), and what to do when unexpected challenges arise.

A simple handoff document or a posted reference sheet can go a long way in minimizing disruption while you or your team members are away.

Final Thoughts

By using the tools already at your fingertips—like your POS system’s reporting and scheduling features—you can make smarter decisions, reduce stress, and create a smoother summer for your pharmacy.

It all starts with a little planning. The sooner you prep, the sooner you can relax. And maybe even clock out early to enjoy a well-deserved summer evening.

Here’s to a productive, profitable, and peaceful summer!