- Some Superdrug stores will also be renovated, while others will be expanded
Superdrug has announced plans to open 25 new stores in Britain this year, promising to create 500 jobs in the process.
Doubling its high street presence, the retailer said it will create “bigger, better store formats in premium retail destinations”.
New stores will open this year at Wheatley Center Shopping Park in Doncaster, St David’s Center in Cardiff, Bluewater Shopping Centre, Westfield Stratford City and Swindon Greenbridge.
The remaining locations have not yet been revealed.
Openings: Superdrug has announced plans to open 25 new stores across the UK this year
As well as opening a number of new stores, Superdrug said it planned to refurbish 60 existing stores, while seven existing stores would expand in size.
Superdrug property director Nigel Duxbury said: “This investment in physical stores means we can increase our presence in key locations and highlights our continued commitment to high streets and retail shopping destinations, which are an integral part of the communities and the local economy. ‘
The health and beauty retailer said its Craigavon store in Northern Ireland had already expanded to 5,800 sq ft, while the site in Lakeside Thurrock had expanded to 7,669 sq ft, with the addition of a new fragrance counter and nursing services.
In the stores being refurbished, Superdrug said there will be new “improved” fronts, floors and ceilings made from biosoluble mineral wool, clay and starch, LED lighting, new floor designs and improved fascias and internal signage.
The retailer, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary, added: “All openings and refurbishments will benefit from Superdrug’s sustainable store scheme, which ensures sites are as environmentally conscious as possible in everything from design to saving energy. energy and waste management”.
The retailer said its total sales in the four weeks to December 30 rose 9.2 per cent, with like-for-like sales up 7.1 per cent.
Superdrug said 18.1 million people in the UK were signed up to its loyalty programme.
Last June, rival Boots announced plans to close a further 300 stores across the UK.
The chain said the move consisted of trying to “consolidate a number of stores in close proximity to each other.”