Superdrug has kicked off a major investment into its bricks-and-mortar portfolio, with plans to open 25 new locations and refit 60 existing stores this year as it celebrates its 60th year on the high street.
The health and beauty retailer is enhancing the physical shopping experience for customers with “bigger and better store formats in prime retail destinations”.
The expanding store estate is expected to create over 500 jobs nationwide, boosting the UK’s high streets and local communities.
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The bricks-and-mortar strategy has already seen Superdrug double the footprint of its Craigavon store in Northern Ireland this year to 5,800sq ft as well as extending its Lakeside Thurrock store to 7,669sq ft.
The retailer will also be unveiling some of “its biggest ever stores” throughout the year, with a further three “best-in-class” locations soon opening at St David’s in Cardiff, Bluewater Shopping Centre, and Westfield Stratford City.
Superdrug Cardiff, which was one of the retailer’s first Beauty Studio concept stores, will be upsizing to a new 11,300sq ft space with a brand-new treatment studio, offering additional make-up services alongside beauty and piercings.
Its new Westfield Stratford City store is also doubling in size to 9,892sq ft and will be one of the retailer’s biggest sites when it opens in the summer.
Alongside the new stores, Superdrug will be extending 7 existing locations and refitting 60 over the course of 2024.
This will include 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.
The retailer said all openings and refits will benefit from its sustainable store scheme, which ensures sites are as eco-conscious as possible.
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.”
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