Healthguard in expansion drive

Healthguard, a pharma, wellness and beauty retail chain, will expand its physical and online retail presence and enhance the skills of its staff to meet the standards of international healthcare retailers.

Healthguard is a fully-owned subsidiary of Sunshine Healthcare Lanka Ltd. (SHL), the healthcare arm of the diversified Sunshine Holdings conglomerate with interests in agribusiness, FMCG, packaging and renewable energy.

Healthguard has committed Rs. 100 million over the past three years and invested Rs. 70 million in FY 15-16 to expand its retail presence. Healthguard hopes to more than double its outlet network - consisting of standalone 'Full Service' stores and 'Express' stores (in leading supermarkets) - from 24 at present to 50 by 2018. From the beginning of last year to the present, eight Full Service and Express outlets have been opened.

Managing Director, Sunshine Healthcare, Shyam Sathasivam said the online store of the company launched in December last year is gaining traction and substantial online purchase behaviour is being witnessed. Expressing optimism on the prospects of the newly-launched online store, he unveiled plans to broaden the product mix and offering of the store. With the online store and islandwide delivery services, Healthguard hopes to extend its footprint nation-wide.