In this Issue

Beauty apps could be the tool paving the way for drug and mass retailers to compete with high levels of service at prestige competitors. Apps from augmented reality technology providers give shoppers a digital makeup artist in the palm of their hands and reduce the need for in-store testers that often are not available in mass-market stores.

Despite the challenges that manufacturers have faced from slowing generics spending growth, generics saved the U.S. healthcare system more than ever, and the past year has seen a record number of approvals. It also has seen more biosimilars getting regulatory approval, and the Food and Drug Administration carving out new and speedier paths for companies to enter areas where there is a market need for the products.

According to the Greeting Card Association, sales of the greeting card category — which they estimate to be between $7 and $8 billion — have held steady the past few years. 

Space, the final frontier. 

For mass retailers, it might just be. With real estate costs and competitive issues combining to put the squeeze on expansion, many merchants are looking for other ways to increase their product selection and give consumers an easier way to choose merchandise. They also are looking for additional ways to give their staff a more efficient and effective place to work. 

Getting biosimilars to market remains an obstacle course for manufacturers and could result in higher prices for consumers and less profits for retailers.

Even as more approvals roll in and industry officials talk about how biosimilars will bring significant savings in the coming decade, there is a concern that regulatory and reimbursement hurdles could prevent the industry from realizing the full savings of the less-expensive alternative to biologics.