Fresh out of university with a pharmacy degree, Mario Verrocchi, became a trainee under Sam Gance in 1980. The brothers expanded to three locations before leaving the Amcal chain in 1997 and establishing their own brand, My Chemist.

Chemist Warehouse is an unlisted Australian public company. It is a franchisor of around 600 pharmacies and retail stores under the brands Chemist Warehouse, MyChemist, Ultra Beauty, My Beauty Spot, and Optometrist Warehouse.

Chemist Warehouse's 100-year plan to be the next Walgreens Chemist Warehouse CEO Mario Verrocchi says the retailer could become the next Walgreens or Boots and expand rapidly overseas after becoming an $8.8 billion ASX-listed pharmacy giant.

From an investment perspective, Chemist Warehouse is akin to a platform business. It's reputation as the preeminent low-cost pharmacy brand means consumers will gravitate to their shops. They match these consumers with vendors selling cosmetics, vitamins, skincare, and health products.