NEW YORK — Awareness of in-store clinics as a concept has increased from 38% last year to 47% this year, according to the Pulse report of WSL Strategic Retail here. Awareness is being driven by the rapid expansion in the number of clinics, and the media attention paid to them as they go through state approvals. The number of Americans who claimed to have used an in-store clinic has increased modestly, from 6% to 8% overall, and from 15% to 18% among those aware of clinics. “With the number of new clinics increasing at such a pace, we would have expected more growth. These numbers suggest growth in use is being driven almost solely by growth of locations and not by any increase in the appeal of existing clinics,” WSL reported. In terms of demographics, WSL noted that in-store clinics are not just for the uninsured. The clinics are used by at least 6% of every age, gender, ethnicity and income group. They are much more attractive to younger people (14% of those under 34 have used one vs. 6% to 7% of older Americans) and Hispanic Americans (12% are users vs. 7% of Caucasians). The same proportion (10%) of lower and higher income Americans have used one, WSL said.
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