SmileDirectClub offers a convenient and affordable way for people to straighten their teeth from home by ordering invisible aligners online—and now, the direct-to-consumer company is introducing physical SmileShop pilot locations. These new destinations are launching within Shoppers Drug Mart stores in Ontario, which makes Shoppers Drug Mart the first pharmacy retailer in Canada to offer SmileShops.
As Shoppers Drug Mart stores are already recognized as places to visit for healthcare services, plus plenty of health and oral care solutions, the shop-in-shops will make it even easier for people to get the smile they've always wanted.
SmileShops are a place for people to get a free 3D digital image of their teeth so that it can be uploaded to SmileDirectClub's affiliated network of experts and an appropriate treatment plan can be created.
Teledentistry Shop-in-Shops
SmileDirectClub's SmileShops Expand the D2C Brand's Reach
Trend Themes
1. Pharmacy Retail Shop-in-shops - By introducing SmileShops within Shoppers Drug Mart stores in Canada, SmileDirectClub sets a trend of physical shop-in-shops at pharmacies as healthcare service providers and oral care solution vendors.
2. Teeth-scanning Kiosk - SmileDirectClub's SmileShops pioneer a trend of kiosks that provide a 3D digital image of people's teeth, which could be implemented in public areas such as airports and malls.
3. D2C Healthcare Expansion - By opening physical SmileShops, SmileDirectClub sets a trend of expanding D2C healthcare offerings beyond online-only to adapt to customers' preferences and convenience in receiving health services.
Industry Implications
1. Online Dental Care - SmileDirectClub's SmileShops physical presence complementing its online service sets a disruptive innovation opportunity for providing remote dental care services that can reach more people, which serves as a threat to traditional brick-and-mortar dentists.
2. Pharmacy Retail - With the introduction of SmileShops in Shoppers Drug Mart stores, there is a disruptive innovation opportunity for pharmacies to offer dental scanning and referral services, which could make them a one-stop-shop for all healthcare-related needs.
3. Kiosk Manufacturing and Operations - SmileDirectClub's introduction of SmileShops sets a disruptive innovation opportunity for kiosk manufacturing and operations industries to create and manage teeth-scanning kiosks in various public areas.