A Leicester retailer has been named the UKs leading online chemist just eight m

Mr Soma said the success of the website had been boosted by the economic downturn and the fact that people were now looking to cheaper products.

Chemist Direct, of Evington, Leicester, which sells discounted health and beauty products, was found to be attracting more visits than the online operation of the long-established Lloyds Pharmacy. The figures were compiled by internet specialist Hitwise, part of Nottingham data analysis giant, Experian. It found Chemist Direct had a market share of 8.66 per cent, more than two per cent higher than second-place Lloyds. Chemist Direct was set up by husband and wife, Mitesh and Krishna Soma, in November, after they saw a gap in the market for an online discount chemist. “We have got to this position relatively quickly through the media attention we have had, through our prices and through word of mouth,” he said. “We have the biggest range of health and beauty products online in excess of 20,000 products. Mr Soma said the success of the website had been boosted by the economic downturn and the fact that people were now looking to cheaper products. “Regardless of whether there is a recession or not, everybody will always look to save money,” he said. “But the timing has been great, people are now feeling the pinch and it’s all doom and gloom. If people need medication and their toiletries, we can offer it at 30 to 40 per cent, or even 90 per cent, cheaper.” Chemist Direct employs 35 people at its warehouse in the West Midlands and five people at its Evington head office. Jannie Cahill, a spokeswoman for Hitwise, said “Chemist Direct has done a fantastic job of growing its business.” Contact Person Name: Will Iredale (Post/Designation: Public Relations) Address: Unit 8 Spon Lane, Industrial Estate, Spring Road, Birmingham B66 1PE Phone & Fax Number: 0845 259 0175 Email ID: marketing@chemistdirect.co.uk URl - http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk