Retail Media Pharma in the UK

The reference guide for CHC brands wanting to master advertising on pharmaceutical e-commerce platforms in the UK.

Introduction: Why Retail Media is Becoming Essential for Pharma in the UK

Retail media is transforming how Consumer Healthcare (CHC) brands reach consumers at the most decisive moment: the point of purchase. In the UK, this phenomenon is still emerging in the pharmaceutical sector, but the growth signals are unequivocal.

Some figures to set the context:

• Online sales represent approximately 8% of total pharmacy turnover in the UK. This ratio, whilst higher than markets like France, indicates considerable growth potential in the coming years.
• Online health and beauty sales are growing by approximately 12% annually, driven by food supplements, personal care, wellness and beauty products.
• Amazon.co.uk captures approximately 18% of purchase intent in health and beauty, making it the leading platform in terms of buying consideration in this segment.
• The retail media market in the UK exceeded £2.1 billion in 2025, across all sectors, and continues to progress at a sustained rate of 15-20% per annum.

For CHC brands, this data paints a strategic imperative: the time to invest in a retail media strategy for CHC brands in the UK is now, before competition intensifies and acquisition costs soar.