Superdrug’s expansion strategy for the year includes the opening of 30 new stores, leading to the creation of approximately 600 job opportunities. Among the planned locations for the new sites in England are White Rose Leeds, Crawley, Waterlooville Retail Park, Newport Retail Park, and Isle of Wight.
Additionally, Superdrug will be establishing new stores in Scotland at Dundee Gallagher Retail Park, Kilmarnock Retail Park, East Kilbride, Strathkelvin Retail Park, and Linwood Phoenix Retail Park, along with Cwmbran Retail Park in Wales.
The new stores will feature Superdrug Beauty Studios providing various treatments like ear piercing, manicures, and eyebrow threading.
Moreover, Superdrug aims to revamp 60 stores throughout the year. The health and beauty retailer currently operates over 780 shops across the UK and Ireland.
Superdrug executives attributed the decision to expand further to the strong customer demand experienced in their stores. The company intends to invest primarily in “large-format destination stores and retail park locations.”
Clare Jennings, Superdrug’s property director, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing experience-driven retail by stating, “Superdrug continues to see strong demand for physical, experience-led retail, and our 2026 store opening programme is a clear vote of confidence in UK bricks and mortar retail. By opening 30 stores, we’re not just increasing our footprint, we’re creating destinations that bring together beauty, healthcare, and affordable treatments under one roof.”
In a related development, Marks & Spencer (M&S) disclosed plans to expand its food business by identifying 500 desired locations for new stores, aiming to double the size of its food operations. This expansion includes areas without an existing M&S store such as Hove, Marlborough, and Wallingford.
M&S is particularly interested in larger sites that can accommodate the full range of M&S Food, with a target size of 18,000sq ft for its food stores. The company is set to open or renew 20 stores by the end of the financial year, leading to the creation of 800 new jobs. By enlarging its Food stores, M&S aims to enhance its product offerings and attract more customers for their weekly shopping needs.