Today, leading accessible health and beauty retailer, Superdrug, announces plans to open 30 best-in-class new stores in 2026, extending its geographical footprint across the UK. The expansion will create approximately 600 new jobs, reinforcing Superdrug’s continued investment in bricks and mortar retail.
Superdrug continues to see strong customer demand for experience-led physical retail. As part of its ongoing strategy to elevate discovery and engagement within the health and beauty category, the retailer will continue to invest in large-format destination stores and retail park locations.
The 2026 store opening programme reflects Superdrug’s nationwide growth plans.
Confirmed openings on new sites include Dundee Gallagher Retail Park, Kilmarnock Retail Park, East Kilbride, Strathkelvin Retail Park and Linwood Phoenix Retail Park in Scotland; White Rose Leeds, Crawley, Waterlooville Retail Park, Newport Retail Park, Isle of Wight in England; Cwmbran Retail Park in Wales.
Each new store will be specially designed to immerse, inform and engage customers, offering far more than a traditional health and beauty shop. Superdrug’s latest experience stores allow customers to discover trending beauty brands, access expert advice and enjoy affordable in-store services in welcoming, modern environments.
Customers can explore the latest beauty launches and enjoy treatments such as ear piercing, manicures and eyebrow threading at Superdrug Beauty Studios, which continue to perform strongly. Shoppers can also receive tailored advice at luxury fragrance counters, visit nurse-led clinics for face-to-face healthcare services, and access pharmacies offering personalised, professional healthcare guidance.
Alongside new openings, Superdrug plans to do 60 store refits during 2026, committing significant investment in the existing estate.
As the business grows, investment in training, inductions and development programmes remains a key priority. Each store opening provides an opportunity to create inclusive, supportive workplaces, equipping colleagues with the skills and confidence to deliver an elevated customer experience.
Clare Jennings, Superdrug’s property director, commented: “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.
“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.”
Acceleration of bricks and mortar retail remains a core pillar of Superdrug’s O+O (Online + Offline) strategy, ensuring customers can access the best possible shopping experience across any channel, anytime, anywhere.
