Superdrug plans a major UK expansion in 2026, opening about 30 large-format destination stores and prioritizing retail park locations to meet strong customer demand.

As part of the growth, the company will also carry out around 60 store refits to upgrade its existing estate and deliver bigger, better stores with expert products and services.

The strategy aims to provide convenience, expert products, and services in welcoming community spaces, while creating long-term career opportunities for staff across the country.

Executives emphasize that the expansion will unlock greater access to healthcare, beauty products, and treatments through an experience-led, community-focused model.

Jennings stresses that delivering trusted products in welcoming spaces will support longer-term career opportunities for employees as the footprint grows.

Which? scrutiny of pricing surfaces concerns about loyalty pricing, but Superdrug defends its pricing as largely representative of a small portion of loyalty promotions.

Clare Jennings, Superdrug’s property director, frames the expansion as a vote of confidence in physical retail and a move to create destinations that blend beauty, healthcare, and affordable treatments.

She underscores that the plan responds to demand for experience-led, multi-service retail and aims to deliver expert products and services in welcoming local spaces.

New openings will target large-format destination stores and retail parks, reinforcing the bricks-and-mortar investment amid strong demand.

Beauty Studios will be introduced in new and existing stores, offering services like ear piercing, manicures, and eyebrow threading as part of the experience-led model.

Superdrug currently operates over 780 shops and remains the second-largest health and beauty retailer in the UK & Ireland, behind Boots.

The expansion comes amid ongoing scrutiny of loyalty pricing practices in the sector following a Which? investigation.