The expansion is expected to create over 570 jobs nationwide and is backed by “strong performance figures” as the business drives forward with its online and offline platform strategy, Superdrug announced this morning (April 18).
Superdrug told C+D that the new branches will be a mixture of pharmacy and pure retail stores, although it could not confirm how many will offer pharmacy services at this stage.
The expansion has already seen the health and beauty retailer open branches in Washington Gallery and Falkirk Retail Parks in February and a store in Braehead, Scotland last month.
Read more: Superdrug enhances staff benefits package amid cost-of-living crisis
Superdrug said a further three “best-in-class stores” will “soon” open in Dublin Dundrum, the Manchester Trafford Centre and London Brent Cross, with more stores to open later this year.
The “bigger and better Superdrug stores” will offer customers a “host of essential healthcare services” through pharmacies and nurse clinics, as well as a range of beauty treatments, the multiple said.
Superdrug currently operates “close to 200” branches that contain a pharmacy, although its total portfolio tops 790 stores, it said.
“Resilience” despite challenges
Superdrug also committed to refitting 70 of its existing branches this year, making its current stores more eco-friendly with fully recyclable signage, ceiling tiles made from bio-soluble mineral wool, clay and starch, and energy efficient LED lighting.
Superdrug’s CEO, Peter Macnab, commented that the pharmacy sector has seen “seismic changes…and constantly evolving customer expectations” in recent years.
“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,” he said.
The multiple’s property director, Nigel Duxbury, said that its investment in bricks-and-mortar stores “will help us continue to stretch, shape, and deliver for our customers in the future”.
It comes as Superdrug announced a raft of new staff benefits aimed at helping “colleagues manage the rising cost of living” last week (April 13).
And the multiple revealed last month (March 11) that it had increased its pay for newly qualified pharmacists by 11% to £50,000.
Read more: Superdrug newly qualified pharmacist pay to rise 11% to £50k
