What does the Chemist Warehouse merger with Sigma Healthcare mean for the pharmacy giant?

After months of speculation and years of offers that have fallen flat, the discount pharmaceutical juggernaut that is Chemist Warehouse has struck a deal with Sigma Healthcare to create the biggest pharmacy company in Australia. The deal would see Chemist Warehouse merge with Sigma Healthcare to create "a leading healthcare wholesaler, distributor and retail pharmacy franchisor". Given Chemist Warehouse is the larger of the two companies, it would give them control of Sigma Healthcare and is considered a "back door" entry to the ASX. The other reason this merger is such a big deal is that combined, Chemist Warehouse and Sigma Healthcare will have over 1,000 retail stores between them and 16 distribution centres in Australia and New Zealand.