Superdrug continues to mark its 60th Birthday with a host of exciting celebrations.
From in-store experiences to fantastic promotions and activations, customers can celebrate the brand and its long heritage on the British high street. Founded in 1964 by Ronald and Peter Goldstien, with the first ever Superdrug store opening on Putney High-street 60 years ago, the brand has come a long way, now celebrating with over 800 stores nationwide.
To honour the anniversary, Superdrug are celebrating with a plethora of activities including in-store activations, the launch of a new limited edition birthday range, special 60th birthday products from exclusive brands, fantastic offers and prices, as well as celebrating looks through the decades – bringing back some of the UK’s most-loved cult classic beauty items!
Superdrug’s Chief Commercial Officer, Simon Comins says: “From our humble beginnings on Putney high-street to becoming a nationally recognised brand, 60 years is an incredible landmark for us. We are looking forward to celebrating our birthday with our customers as we know without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
CEW is proud to be partnering with Superdrug on the 2024 CEW Consumer Choice Awards with the winners being announced at a glittering industry lunch on Friday 28th June at The Londoner Hotel.
“I am delighted that CEW is working with Simon and the wider team at Superdrug during these important celebrations in 2024. Superdrug are a dynamic beauty and health retailer whose consumer centric approach ensure they are a consistently favoured destination for UK shoppers offering great service, a vast array of products and a retail offering that constantly evolves to meet their needs” said Sallie Berkerey, Managing Director of CEW UK.
In addition to the celebrations of the 60th birthday Superdrug are investing heavily in its store network across the UK to shore it up for the next 60 years and beyond.
Superdrug’s 60th birthday celebrations are sure to expand consumer choice, while opening new employment doors, helping to grow the British economy. The business has seen a successful few years in terms of figures. Last year it was reported that Superdrug’s pre-tax profits drastically increased.
Superdrug has seen a successful few years in terms of figures. Last year it was reported that Superdrug’s pre-tax profits drastically increased from £45 million in 2021 to £78 million in 2022, a rise of almost 72%. The retailer attributed this growth to increasing store footfall in city centres, a likely reason for the upcoming focus on store openings in big cities such as Cardiff.
The British beauty retail scene has been growing at an unstoppable pace in recent times. From the re-entry of Sephora into the region to the expansions of big names including SpaceNK and the arrival of several temporary pop-up shops, British beauty consumers have not had to look far for the latest inviting addition to the £39.4 billion British beauty market.
Superdrug has been a strong consumer favourite since it was founded in 1964. With a 93% brand awareness level and over 830 stores currently in the UK, the retailer is a household name and intends to remain one for decades to come. In celebration of its 60th birthday, Superdrug recently announced an investment in its brick-and-mortar stores, with plans to open 25 new shops, extend seven existing stores, and refit a further 60.
The plan has already begun to roll out, with Superdrug’s Craigavon, Northern Ireland store being expanded to double its size, now standing at 5,800 square feet, as well as an extension in England’s Lakeside Thurrock store, which is now 7,669 square feet. The expansion plans will create over 500 new jobs nationwide and will see three of Superdrug’s largest-ever locations opened in Cardiff, Westfield Stratford City, and Bluewater Shopping Centre.
The Cardiff store will be 11,300 square feet and contain a treatment studio. Customers will be offered makeup services, among other beauty appointments, including eyebrow waxing and threading. The store will also contain a piercing station. The Westfield Stratford City store will follow closely behind, sized at 9,892 square feet, and is set to open in the summer.
Superdrug’s investment in its brick-and-mortar stores is a move to modernize the business. “We’ve changed a lot in the 60 years since the first Superdrug store opened in Putney High Street, but we remain as committed as ever to providing a seamless shopping experience for our customers, offering the very best in accessible health and beauty,” says Niven Duxbury, Superdrug’s Property Director. “This investment into bricks-and-mortar means we can grow our footprint in key locations and highlights our ongoing commitment to high streets and retail shopping destinations, which are an integral part of local communities and the economy.”
The news comes after several commitments from Superdrug in the effort to engage existing consumers and entice new ones. These include making its online site more accessible for neurodiverse customers, as well as freezing prices on own-brand items to help with the rising cost of living prices.
