Superdrug invests in bricks-and-mortar with new store and refit plans
Superdrug is strengthening its bricks-and-mortar footprint with the opening of 25 news stores and various refits this year - creating 570 new jobs across the UK.
The investment strategy has already seen Superdrug open new stores in Washington Gallery and Falkirk Retail Parks in February, as well as Braehead Shopping Centre last month. A further three "best-in-class" stores will soon open in Dublin Dundrum, Manchester Trafford Centre and London Brent Cross, with more stores in the pipeline for later this year.
In addition, Superdrug plans to refit 70 stores in 2023, ensuring the estate is modernised through a series of updates such as new shop fronts, fully recyclable signage, energy efficient LED lighting, new floor layouts and upgraded fascia and internal signage.
This follows a large-scale rollout of new cosmetics stands in 2021, which provided customers with the "most up-to-date shopping environment to enjoy and discover the latest makeup brands".
The new stores will focus on enhancing the physical shopping experience, offering customers an "extensive range" of affordable Beauty Studio treatments and access to a host of healthcare services through its pharmacies and nurse clinics.
All openings and refits will also benefit from Superdrug’s Sustainable Store Scheme, which kicked off with a pilot store in Peterborough in October 2021, helping to ensure the retailer's sites are "as eco conscious as possible".
Nigel Duxbury, Property Director at Superdrug, said: “High streets and retail parks are the beating heart of our communities and an essential part of our economy. Our investment in bricks and mortar will help us continue to stretch, shape, and deliver for our customers in the future, as well as helping transform communities into vibrant places to live, work and shop.”
The investment forms part of Superdrug's online + offline strategy. As part of this, the retailer is continuing to enhance its O+O offering, bringing shoppers a "market-leading, integrated experience".
It follows the launch of Superdrug Marketplace and rapid delivery service Store to Door, as well as Store Insider to help connect online customers to store advisors - all of which contribute to providing the "very best customer service whatever the touchpoint".
Peter Macnab, CEO of Superdrug, said: “Recent years have seen seismic changes in our sector, and constantly evolving customer expectations. An investment of this scale demonstrates our resilience in the face of continuing social and economic challenges, but also our confidence and commitment to our customers and communities.”
