Superdrug has announced its intention to launch 30 new stores this year, leading to the creation of approximately 600 jobs. Among the new locations scheduled in England are White Rose Leeds, Crawley, Waterlooville Retail Park, Newport Retail Park, and Isle of Wight. The expansion also includes new stores in Scotland, such as Dundee Gallagher Retail Park, Kilmarnock Retail Park, East Kilbride, Strathkelvin Retail Park, Linwood Phoenix Retail Park, and Cwmbran Retail Park in Wales.
These new stores will feature Superdrug Beauty Studios offering services like ear piercing, manicures, and eyebrow threading. Additionally, Superdrug plans to refurbish 60 existing stores within the year. Currently, the health and beauty retailer operates over 780 shops across the UK and Ireland.
Superdrug executives cited robust customer demand as the driving force behind the expansion plans. The company intends to focus on developing large-format destination stores and retail park locations. Clare Jennings, Superdrug’s property director, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing expertise, trusted products, and services in welcoming environments within local communities.
In a similar move, M&S unveiled a list of 500 desired locations for new stores, aiming to expand its food business by doubling its size. Areas without an M&S store, like Hove, Marlborough, and Wallingford, are on the radar for potential new locations. M&S is specifically seeking larger sites to accommodate a full range of M&S Food products, with an average store size target of 18,000 square feet.
Moreover, M&S plans to open or renovate 20 stores by the end of the financial year, generating 800 new job opportunities. The supermarket aims to enlarge its Food stores to offer a wider selection and attract more customers for their weekly shopping needs.