Financial documents lodged with the corporate regulator reveal Chemist Warehouse made $489 million from selling marketing and advertising in the year to June 30, down from $604 million the year before and $638 million the year before that.
Its overall revenue has grown over the past three years despite its falls in media. Advertising accounted for 21 per cent of revenue two years ago. This past year, it was 15 per cent.
On Friday, Chemist Warehouse hosted 2000 people at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena for its 2½-hour annual supplier event, which gives a slick and flashy glimpse into the inner workings of one of Australia’s largest private businesses.