Superdrug Unveils Significant UK Store Expansion Strategy
High street health and beauty chain Superdrug has announced ambitious plans to open 30 new stores across the United Kingdom during 2026. This substantial expansion initiative is set to create around 600 new employment opportunities nationwide, reinforcing the retailer's commitment to the UK's physical retail sector.
Strengthening the Retail Footprint
The Croydon-based business, which was originally founded in 1964, currently operates an extensive network of more than 780 shops throughout the UK and Ireland. Company executives have attributed this latest wave of openings to consistently strong customer demand experienced across their existing store portfolio.
Superdrug has confirmed it will particularly focus investment on developing large-format destination stores and retail park locations as part of this expansion programme. The retailer emphasized that these new spaces will combine beauty products, healthcare services, and affordable treatments under single roofs.
New Store Locations Across Britain
The company has identified numerous specific locations for these new outlets, including several sites in Scotland such as Dundee Gallagher Retail Park, Kilmarnock Retail Park, East Kilbride, Strathkelvin Retail Park, and Linwood Phoenix Retail Park. English locations will feature White Rose Leeds, Crawley, Waterlooville Retail Park, Newport Retail Park, and the Isle of Wight, while Wales will see a new store at Cwmbran Retail Park.
Shoppers visiting these expanded locations will have access to Superdrug Beauty Studios offering various beauty treatments including ear piercing services, professional manicures, and eyebrow threading alongside the retailer's comprehensive range of beauty products.
Investment in Store Experience and Refurbishment
Beyond the new store openings, Superdrug has also revealed plans to complete 60 store refits throughout the year as part of what the company describes as "significant investment" across its entire property portfolio. This dual approach of expansion and refurbishment demonstrates the retailer's comprehensive strategy to enhance its physical presence.
Clare Jennings, Superdrug's property director, commented on the expansion plans: "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."
Jennings further explained: "Our customers want more than convenience, they want expertise, products and services they can trust, delivered in welcoming spaces within their local communities. 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."
Context of Recent Retail Challenges
This expansion announcement comes amid recent scrutiny of high-street pharmacy retailers including Superdrug and competitor Boots. Consumer advocacy group Which? has accused both companies of potentially misleading customers with what they describe as "dodgy deals" related to loyalty pricing schemes.
Which? conducted an investigation comparing prices across both retailers during a six-month period in 2025, reportedly finding hundreds of instances where loyalty promotions suggested greater savings for members than were actually being offered. The consumer organization has referred both companies to the Competition and Markets Authority, alleging potential breaches of the watchdog's guidance on loyalty pricing promotions.
One specific example highlighted by Which? involved a Simple skincare bundle priced at £4.98 for loyalty members versus £9.98 for non-members. However, investigators noted that immediately before this promotion, the same bundle was available to all customers at £4.80 (marked as reduced from £9.98), and afterwards it was priced at £4.49 for everyone (also marked as reduced from £9.98).
Superdrug has responded to these allegations by noting that the pricing examples highlighted by Which? represent only a small proportion of the thousands of loyalty price promotions the company offers across its product range. Despite these recent challenges, the retailer's substantial expansion plans indicate continued confidence in its business model and the UK retail market overall.
