Superdrug promotes Simon Comins to COO role

Superdrug has promoted Simon Comins to Chief Operating Officer, uniting retail and commercial operations under one cohesive strategy.

Comins has built an impressive 38-year career at the health and beauty retailer, rising through the ranks from the shop floor to senior leadership.

Over the years, he has worked across all areas of the business in a variety of roles, gaining experience in both retail and commercial operations.

In his most recent role as Chief Commercial Officer, Comins played a "pivotal" role in shaping Superdrug’s commercial success.

As part of this, he oversaw the retailer's commercial teams, marketing, and CRM functions, "helping to deliver consistent, compelling brand messaging, strong supplier partnerships, and exceptional customer value".

He has also helped shape Superdrug’s customer experiences, most recently with the launch of Beauty Playground - a concept aimed at "transforming" the in-store environment by making beauty shopping more fun, accessible, and centred around discovery.

Peter Macnab, CEO at Superdrug, said: "Simon’s deep understanding of both our business and our customers makes him ideally placed to lead the next phase of our journey. His ability to drive innovation has already delivered fantastic results, from strengthening our commercial strategy to bringing new experiences for our customers to life.

"Simon will be central to ensuring our retail and commercial plans work hand in hand to create the very best experience for our customers."

His promotion marks a "bold step" in the health and beauty chain's strategic vision to create a seamlessly connected business.

Comins added: "The customer is always at the heart of what we do. We pride ourselves on offering the latest beauty brands and essential health products at a range of price points to suit every individual.

"I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come as a business and excited to take on this new role as COO. By bringing together our retail and commercial teams, we can continue to evolve and deliver even more value, choice, and standout experiences for our customers."

The news comes after Superdrug achieved a 7% increase in sales last year, driven by the expansion of its store and online strategy, competitive pricing and promotional initiatives, and continued investment in its own-brand product range.

During the year, the retailer opened 13 new stores in shopping destinations, including Craigavon and Lakeside, as well as extending Westfield Stratford to create the biggest Superdrug ever at 9,900 sq ft.

It also strengthened its digital presence by advancing its Offline-plus-Online strategy, which included an improved website user experience, the successful relaunch of its customer app - now surpassing five million members - and the introduction of more efficient delivery options.