Superdrug has unveiled ambitious expansion plans for 2025, with 25 new shops set to open across the UK and Ireland in the near future.
In its latest financial results report, the high street chain confirmed that its current growth will create approximately 600 new jobs.
In addition to the new openings, the retailer will refurbish 65 existing stores and expand multiple sites, including locations in Luton and Dundee.
This latest news from Superdrug comes as relief to the British high street which has been decimated by store closures in recent years.
The health and beauty retailer currently operates 780 shops throughout the UK and Ireland.
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Superdrug’s new “best-in-class” shops will feature increased investment in beauty treatments and luxury fragrance, responding to strong customer demand.
The retailer highlighted that investment in its largest stores has delivered sales growth of 25 per cent.
In-store beauty studios saw a seven per cent rise in sales in 2024, reflecting consumer interest in services like ear piercing, manicures and eyebrow threading.
The company is focusing particularly on shopping destinations and retail park locations as part of its expansion strategy.
Nigel Duxbury, Superdrug property director, said: “We want everyone who enters Superdrug to feel an elevated customer experience.”
“For us, this is not about a quick and easy purchase, it is about engaging customers with added extras that truly enrich their everyday lives.”
He added: “We can see from our sales last year that investing in and increasing the number of large format stores in our estate allows us to accelerate our bricks-and-mortar strategy, so that we can bring the bigger and better shopping experience, that we know our customers love, to even more communities across the UK.”
PwC research shows 38 shops belonging to multiples and chains closed daily in the first half of 2024, slightly up from 36 per day in the same period of 2023.
While shop openings also increased marginally from 24 to 25 per day, the overall picture remains one of steady decline.
The health and beauty retailer’s focus on experiences aligns with changing consumer priorities, as noted by PwC’s Rick Jones: “Consumers are seeking new experiences and spending more time with friends and family.”
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Superdrug’s expansion strategy appears to be yielding results, with the retailer reporting its strongest-ever Christmas performance at the start of 2025.
Like-for-like sales increased by 5.1 per cent in the final weeks of 2024.
This success comes as the broader retail landscape continues to evolve, with PwC data suggesting a slow but steady decline in physical outlets.
Adapting to changing consumer preferences has become “an existential matter” for high street retailers, according to PwC, making Superdrug’s focus on in-store experiences particularly timely.