Superdrug is the second largest health and beauty retailer in the UK, after Boots. It is part of the AS Watson Group, which comprises discounter Savers and fragrance specialist The Perfume Shop.
Superdrug opened its first shop in Putney, London, on April 1966. Now it has over 800 branches across the UK and Ireland and a long-term target of expanding to 900 stores.
Superdrug has seen solid like-for-like growth and margins strengthening in recent years. It has invested heavily in developing its digital strategy as well as increasing its store network in the UK. Alongside refurbishments across its estate, Superdrug is developing and trialling new store formats focused on beauty and wellbeing services.
It currently offers pharmacies with consultation rooms in over 220 shops and was the first high street retailer to offer chickenpox vaccinations in 2017. In 2018, it launched a vegan pop-up store in Shoreditch’s Boxpark in response to increasing demand for plant-based and cruelty-free products.
AS Watson, the owner of Superdrug, The Perfume Shop and Savers, has unveiled a £40m financial support scheme for employees affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
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Superdrug has recorded a decline in full-year profits, but boss Peter MacNab said he was “pleased with the company’s performance in challenging times”.
The Co-op has struck a deal with Superdrug to supply own-brand food-to-go products as part of the health and beauty chain’s meal deals.
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