Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1884 — Profits in Drugs. [ARTICLE]

Profits in Drugs.

There have been two important changes in the drug business within the past few years, says St. Nicholas. In the first place, the scope of the drug store has been enlarged. In old times the term “drug store” indicated an establishment where simply drugs were kept. Now you can go to many drug stores and purchase cigars, tobacco, canes, umbrellas, tea, coffee, stationery, confectionery, and many kinds of fancy articles. Some say that druggists have been forced into selling these goods on account of the competition they have had to contend against in the sale of patent medicines by dry-goods establishments and • book stores, and because some of their own number sell the patent, or proprietary, medicines below the regular market price. There is much truth in this statement, but I think there is another reason to account Tor this practice, and that is the inc reased rate of rent. In former times the item of rent was not so great as it is now, and the druggist could make a good living by confining himself to drugs proper. Now the expense for rent* is a matter for serious financial consideration. It is true that the business yields a large percentage of profit, but the total sales are comparatively small. At one time, when the calling was confined to its legitimate sphere, the profit was 50 per cent. Now the average rate of profit is probably 25 or 30 per cent.