High street chain Superdrug has announced plans to open 25 new stores this year in a move that is expected to create over 500 jobs across the UK. 

The chain said the new openings will include “some of its biggest ever stores” as well as “best-in-class” stores opening in Cardiff, Bluewater Shopping Centre and Westfield Stratford City. 

The company also revealed plans to extend seven existing stores and refit 60 over the course of 2023, with all openings and refits “as eco-conscious as possible in everything from design to energy saving and waste management”. 

Superdrug did not respond when asked whether any of the new stores will contain a pharmacy. In its press release it said that “close to 200 stores” now have a pharmacy and “over 60” now have a nurse-led clinic. 

Comparing the company’s latest statement with a statement from April 2023 that also announced plans to open 25 new stores, it appears that in addition to cutting the ribbon on new branches the company has closed a number of stores in the intervening period. 

The April 2023 statement said the company was adding 25 branches to its existing state of around 790 stores in the UK and Ireland, while the latest release refers to plans to build on an existing state of “over 780 stores”.

Superdrug property director Nigel Duxbury said: “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 economy.

“2024 will see some of the largest ever Superdrug stores open their doors, which is something we are really excited about as these larger retail units give us the space to be able to offer new and exciting services and even more of the latest health and beauty products.”