How Meagher’s Pharmacy Scaled 5X with Shopify Plus

Overview

Meagher’s Pharmacy began in 1921 as a single family-run store in Dublin. Over nearly a century it added eight more locations, but by 2019 Oonagh O’Hagan—who took over the business in 2001—wanted a modern online channel that matched the care customers knew in-store. She teamed up with Shopify Plus and the agency Milk Bottle Labs to build an agile digital pharmacy. The goal was clear: combine speed, reliability, and a seamless experience so customers could consult, order prescriptions and buy health essentials in a few clicks.

Challenges

Before migrating, the site ran on Adobe Commerce and struggled under spikes—checkout lagged, out-of-stock items sat without notice, and manual processes slowed fulfillment. Customers expected fast online checkouts like they experience with retail giants. For O’Hagan, every minute of delay cost trust and sales. She needed automation for flash sales, a way to handle pre-orders, and tools to keep shoppers informed without growing headcount.

Solutions Implemented

Milk Bottle Labs crafted a custom checkout using Shopify Plus scripts, cutting steps and boosting conversion speed. They set up Launchpad to schedule events and flash discounts automatically—no manual toggles needed. Out-of-stock items were turned into pre-orders, allowing customers to reserve essentials and keeping revenue flowing. Klaviyo handled segmented email flows for reminders and abandoned cart sequences. Recharge managed subscription orders for repeat prescriptions. Additional plug-ins—Loox for reviews and Also Bought recommendations—added social proof and cross-sell opportunities.

Impact & Results

Within twelve months, Meagher’s Pharmacy saw a 5X jump in online revenue. The streamlined checkout lifted conversion rates, while scheduled promotions drove new traffic peaks without hiccups. Product reviews climbed 35% after Loox was live—shoppers trusted feedback. The Also Bought tool pushed a 54% rise in add-to-cart actions. Prescription fulfillment accelerated, and digital consultations began serving customers across Ireland. The team accomplished more with fewer resources, focusing on service rather than firefighting site issues.