In a significant move for the UK high street, beauty and healthcare retailer Superdrug has unveiled ambitious expansion plans for 2026, announcing the opening of 30 new stores across the nation. This development comes alongside the recent closure of one of its West Midlands branches, highlighting the company's strategic shift in its retail footprint.
A Strategic Retail Expansion
The retailer, which currently operates more than 780 shops throughout the country, is responding to what it describes as "strong customer demand" for physical shopping experiences. This expansion represents a substantial investment in the UK's bricks-and-mortar retail sector at a time when many chains are scaling back.
Superdrug's property director, Clare Jennings, emphasised the company's commitment to physical retail spaces, 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."
Creating Destination Stores
The expansion strategy focuses particularly on developing large-format destination stores and establishing presence in retail park locations. This approach aims to transform Superdrug outlets into comprehensive hubs that combine beauty products, healthcare services, and affordable treatments under one roof.
"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," Jennings explained. "Our customers want more than convenience, they want expertise, products and services they can trust, delivered in welcoming spaces within their local communities."
Job Creation and Community Impact
The rollout is expected to create approximately 600 new jobs, offering both entry-level positions and long-term career opportunities across various UK locations. This employment boost comes as welcome news to local economies, particularly in areas where the new stores will be established.
Jennings highlighted the broader benefits of this investment: "This investment allows us to bring bigger, better Superdrug stores to more locations across the UK, unlocking more access to healthcare, beauty products and treatments, while creating hundreds of new jobs and long-term career opportunities for our colleagues."
Store Closures and New Openings
This expansion follows the recent closure of the Superdrug branch on Dudley High Street in the West Midlands, which ceased trading on January 31st. The location is now set to become a Savers store, scheduled to open on February 12th.
The new Superdrug stores will be strategically located across England, Wales, and Scotland, including:
- White Rose in Leeds
- Crawley
- Waterlooville Retail Park
- Newport Retail Park
- Isle of Wight
- Cwmbran Retail Park in Wales
- Dundee Gallagher Retail Park
- Kilmarnock Retail Park
- East Kilbride
- Strathkelvin Retail Park
- Linwood Phoenix Retail Park
This nationwide expansion demonstrates Superdrug's confidence in the future of physical retail in the UK, particularly in the beauty and healthcare sectors where personal interaction and product testing remain important to consumers.
