1. The Beginning of Nahdi Pharmacy:
Nahdi Pharmacy was founded in 1986 with just two pharmacies in Jeddah by Sheikh Abdullah Amer Al Nahdi. Since then, it has witnessed continuous growth, becoming the largest retail pharmacy network in Saudi Arabia and the region.
Design excellence has played a significant role in supporting this growth, with Rawaat Al Tasmeem contributing to infrastructure and interior fit-out projects for many Nahdi branches, aligning with the company’s vision for a smart and advanced healthcare environment.
The company’s slogan, “Adding beats to our guests’ lives every day,” reflects its vision of becoming the most trusted partner in health—offering high-quality pharmaceutical, personal care products, and health services.
2. Vision and Mission:
Nahdi operates with a clear vision and mission: to be the preferred partner in healthcare and deliver high-quality personalized care daily. Values like integrity, collaboration, excellence, and care guide its strategy and operations.
Massive Growth and Geographic Expansion:
From two pharmacies in Jeddah, Nahdi has expanded to over 1,200 branches across Saudi Arabia and the UAE, covering about 97% of the Kingdom’s population—approximately 140 cities and towns.
This vast presence has created a powerful distribution network capable of fast and efficient service delivery, supported by intelligent distribution centers and three automated hubs ensuring over 95% product availability at all times.
Digital Transformation and Omni‑Health Strategy:
Omni-channel and Omni-health Platforms
In 2016, Nahdi launched its e-commerce app and website under the Omni-channel strategy to offer a seamless experience between physical stores and online sales.
This ecosystem later expanded to include “Nahdi Care” clinics, remote consultations, and home healthcare services—evolving into a fully integrated Omni-health platform by 2022.
Smart Services and Robotic Technology
In 2019, Nahdi introduced the first smart pharmacy in Saudi Arabia, using robotics to prepare medications in just six seconds per item—reducing waiting times, managing inventory permissions, and issuing expiry alerts.
In 2021, Nahdi launched the “Solution Project,” using AI to analyze guest behavior and deliver personalized experiences such as prescription reminders and tailored offers. This increased its Net Promoter Score (NPS) from 85 to 87 and boosted revenue by around $60 million in 2023, with expectations to reach $80 million in 2024.
Integrated Healthcare Services Supporting Nahdi Pharmacy:
5.1 Nahdi Care Clinics and Digital Consultations
Nahdi opened its first clinic in 2018 and reached financial breakeven by 2023, expanding its clinics in Makkah and Taif.
5.2 Awareness Programs and Diabetes Centers
Nahdi established educational diabetes centers within its branches, increasing from 11 to 35 centers. These were created in partnership with Joslin Diabetes Center, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, offering free education and guidance.
Community Sustainability and Social Responsibility:
Nahdi’s programs include health initiatives like “Pulse of Hope,” employee training through the Nahdi Academy, and investments in its workforce of over 10,300 employees, providing more than 500,000 training hours annually.
Challenges and Future Opportunities:
7.1 Challenges
- Regulatory Oversight & Pricing: Nahdi faces challenges around pricing differences in non-pharmaceutical products and feedback on high prices. A Reddit user noted profitability often comes more from beauty and care products than medicines.
- Channel Consistency: Integrating branches with digital clinics requires high consistency in quality and seamless service integration.
7.2 Opportunities
- Geographic Expansion: Strengthening presence in the UAE and Gulf, while connecting various services through digital platforms.
- Emerging Technologies: Utilizing AI, VR, and robotics to offer an exceptional experience in the “Store of the Future.”
- Enhanced Digital Marketing: Projects to improve SEO and advanced apps for wider outreach. Nahdi’s tech teams have recently updated their marketing and digital education systems.
Contribution of Rawaat Al Tasmeem in Nahdi Projects and Healthcare Infrastructure:
As Nahdi continues its significant expansion in healthcare and digital transformation, Rawaat Al Tasmeem plays a vital role in developing modern infrastructure and key facilities to support this growth.
With extensive experience in designing and executing healthcare and commercial projects, the company has helped equip and renovate Nahdi branches and strategic initiatives such as:
- Omco Fuel Stations – representing a new era in energy refueling and integrated service experiences.
- Hotels in Dammam – offering a high-end experience within a modern urban environment.
The Rawaat Al Tasmeem team adheres to top-quality standards and employs advanced construction technologies to ensure efficient and accurate project delivery—enhancing the sustainability of the healthcare and commercial sectors in the Kingdom.
Conclusion:
Nahdi Pharmacy represents a pioneering model of integrating retail with digital transformation and comprehensive healthcare services.
Thanks to its Omni-health strategy, AI projects, and pharmacy robotics, Nahdi has evolved from a traditional pharmacy into a full healthcare platform.
With continued expansion across the Gulf and constant enhancement of the customer experience, Nahdi continues to establish itself as the first choice for most Saudis in daily health—fully aligned with Vision 2030 in health and innovation.
