Reliance Retail takes Netmeds offline with first Chennai pharmacy store (resurfacing a January 2023 move)

Resurfacing a January 2023 move, Reliance Retail opened a Netmeds physical pharmacy in Chennai, extending its e-pharmacy brand into offline retail and signalling a broader omnichannel healthcare play.

— Filed Thu, 20 Aug, 2026, 10:19 IST · First seen Thu, 20 Aug, 2026, 10:18 IST · Source Inc42 · Quick Commerce

What happened

Reliance Retail entered offline pharmaceutical retail by opening a Netmeds store in Chennai, extending the e-pharmacy brand into physical retail.

Why this matters

Reliance’s move makes Netmeds a more integrated healthcare platform, increasing the strategic value of partnerships or acquisitions in diagnostics, clinics, last-mile delivery and pharmacy supply.

What to watch

  • Number and location pattern of follow-on Netmeds store openings within the next two to four quarters.
  • Evidence of Netmeds counters inside existing Reliance Retail formats rather than only standalone pharmacies.
  • App features enabling store pickup, nearby-store inventory visibility, prescription upload and rapid local fulfilment.
  • Announcements of diagnostics, clinic, insurer, hospital or telehealth partnerships.
  • Changes in Netmeds delivery coverage, refill programs, membership benefits or private-label assortment.
  • Pharmacy licensing disclosures, pharmacist hiring activity and supply-chain investments in Tamil Nadu and other states.
  • Competitive responses from Apollo Pharmacy, Tata 1mg, PharmEasy and large regional pharmacy chains.
  • Open additional Netmeds pharmacies in Chennai or other metros to validate a repeatable format and assortment mix.
  • Integrate store inventory with Netmeds app ordering for click-and-collect, local delivery and prescription refills.
  • Co-locate pharmacy services with Reliance grocery, beauty, consumer-electronics or neighbourhood retail formats.
  • Expand private-label OTC, vitamins, personal care, medical devices and wellness assortments to improve gross margins.
  • Add diagnostics collection, teleconsultation, health-check packages or chronic-care subscription services.
  • Use Reliance loyalty and JioMart customer data for targeted health and wellness offers.

Also reported by