The small company Pharmazon, which employs 23 people, has just won its legal battle against Google. A notable victory, while its entire activity was threatened in the event of defeat.
Boosting independent pharmacies
Founded in 2015 and based in Orléans, Pharmazon specializes in the sale of pharmaceutical products and non-reimbursed medicines to pharmacies. It expanded its offering in 2021, by creating a portal to also allow individuals to make purchases through its platform. In this case, the items are delivered to one of the company’s 1,200 partner pharmacies, allowing customers to pick them up directly from the pharmacy.
An innovative economic model that boosts independent pharmacies : any order less than 29 euros must be delivered to these local establishments. And the success is there, Pharmazon having recorded a turnover of 27 million euros, including 10% directly from its online sales activity.
An agreement not respected
Issue. Last August, Google Shopping pins Pharmazon, considering that the company does not respect its rules of use. These stipulate that deliveries must be made at home or at a relay point, with the intervention of a carrier. The delivery made by the company to the pharmacy is therefore deemed illegal by the Mountain View firm.
The two parties then began negotiations, and reached an agreement in September. It consists of offering customers two free delivery options: delivery to a local pharmacy, or to a relay point from 29 euros of purchases. A compromise that seems win-win.
However, Google Shopping suggests on its platform that a minimum basket of 29 euros is required to benefit from free shopping. A strategic detail which takes on its full meaning when we know that the average Pharmazon basket oscillates around 27 euros.
Victory for Pharmazon
In order to guarantee the survival of her company, Audrey Lecoq, director of Pharmazon, decided to take Google to court. And the latter has just proven him right, by indicating to the Web giant that it must respect the agreement established a few months ago.
“ There were people who told me: “you will never be able to win against a giant like that”. What makes me happy today is that French justice shows that it is impartial, whatever the size of the company. », she comments on the microphone of France Blue. Google, which plans to appeal, has 15 days to comply.
- Pharmazon, a company specializing in the sale of pharmaceutical products, has just won its legal battle against Google.
- Google Shopping judged that Pharmazon’s delivery conditions went against its rules of use.
- The company, based in Orléans, employs 23 people.
