Superdrug expands its horizons with plans to open 25 new stores

Superdrug has today announced an investment into its bricks-and-mortar retail with plans to open 25 new stores and extend 7 existing stores in 2024, coinciding with celebrating its 60th year on the British high street.

The retailer, which offers accessible health and beauty, is continuing to enhance the physical shopping experience for customers with increasing "bigger and better" store formats in prime locations. These expansion plans are expected to create 500 jobs nationwide.

The rollout has begun, with Superdrug doubling 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. It is also set to unveil its biggest-ever stores 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. 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 to date when it opens in the summer.

In addition to the new stores, Superdrug will be extending seven existing stores and refitting 60 throughout 2024, ensuring the estate is modernised.

Superdrug's Property Director, Nigel Duxbury,  commented: "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 the 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."

The investment, which is part of the brand's continued focus on an 0+0 (Online + Offline) platform strategy to deliver its omnichannel ambitions, is driven by a strong performance. The retailer delivered a strong Christmas trading period in 2023, with total sales up 9.2% in the four weeks to 30 December. In 2022, revenue rose by 17%.