Welcia Pharmacy expands drug-and-food retail model in Japan

Welcia Pharmacy has unveiled its newly renovated Hack Drug Totsuka store in Yokohama as a flagship model for its drug-and-food retail strategy. The store integrates healthcare services, such as a Care Capsule corner and care manager consultation desks, with an expanded food selection. To complement daily necessities, the store has also introduced a section for the Aeon Group’s 100-yen shop, Can Do.

This renovation is part of a broader group initiative to drive customer traffic by combining traditional drugstore strengths with supermarket-style food offerings. Welcia reports that stores utilizing this food-enhanced model have seen customer numbers increase by approximately 10%. The company aims to expand this format to 100 renovated stores and over 50 satellite-style food sections by the February 2027 fiscal year.

In a separate regional development, the Yasui Honten drugstore in Ichikawa, Chiba, is undergoing renovations. While the pharmacy services remain operational, the drugstore section is expected to reopen in late November 2026, with signs indicating a transition to the Matsumotokiyoshi brand.