Superdrug to open 25 new stores

Superdrug has announced an investment into its bricks-and-mortar retail footprint, with plans to open 25 new stores in 2024, as it celebrates its 60th year on the British high street. The retailer said it is aiming to continue to “enhance the physical shopping experience for customers with increasing bigger and better store formats in prime retail destinations”. The expanding store estate is expected to create over 500 jobs nationwide, providing vital support and services for high streets and local communities. The bricks-and-mortar strategy has already seen Superdrug double the footprint of its Craigavon store in Northern Ireland this year to 5,800 sq. ft, as well as extending its Lakeside Thurrock store to 7,669 sq. ft with the addition of a new fragrance counter and Nurse services. Additionally, Superdrug will be unveiling some of its biggest ever stores throughout the year, with a further three best-in-class stores soon opening at St David’s in Cardiff, Bluewater Shopping Centre and Westfield Stratford City. The Cardiff store, which was one of the first Beauty Studio concept stores, will be upsizing to a new 11,3000 sq. ft space with a brand-new treatment studio, offering additional make-up services alongside beauty and piercings, with the retailer being the no.1 ear and nose piercer on the high-street. The new store in Westfield Stratford City is also doubling in size to 9,892 sq. ft and will be one of Superdrug’s biggest stores when it opens in the summer. In addition to the new stores, Superdrug will be extending seven existing stores and refitting 60 over the course of 2024, ensuring the estate is modernised through a series of updates. This includes new shop fronts, fully recyclable signage, improved flooring and ceiling tiles made from bio-soluble mineral wool, clay and starch, energy efficient LED lighting, new floor layouts and upgraded fascia and internal signage. Superdrug said the investment, which is part of the brand’s continued focus on an O+O (Online + Offline) platform strategy to deliver its omni-channel ambitions, is driven by continued strong performance figures. The retailer delivered a strong Christmas trading period in 2023, with total sales up 9.2% in the four weeks to 30th December and LFL sales up 7.1%. Whilst in 2022 revenue rose 17% to £1.36b with a profit before tax increasing by 71.7%. Superdrug property director Nigel Duxbury said: “We’ve changed a lot in the 60 years since the first Superdrug store opened in Putney high-street, but we remain as committed as ever to providing a seamless shopping experience for our customers, offering the very best in accessible health and beauty. This investment into bricks-and-mortar means we can grow our footprint in key locations and highlights our ongoing commitment to high streets and retail shopping destinations, which are an integral part of local communities and economy. “2024 will see some of the largest ever Superdrug stores open their doors, which is something we are really excited about, as these larger retail units give us the space to be able to offer new and exciting services and even more of the latest health and beauty products.”