News
Vegan Pop Up shop
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Shopping for vegan beauty can be a tricky business. Animal by-products can come under a variety of names, such as carmine which could also be labelled as ‘natural red’ or ‘E120’, to make your beauty buying a little harder. So, to make things as crystal clear as possible - we decided to give vegan health and beauty its own special home for a limited time in London’s buzzing Shoreditch area.
The Little Vegan pop-up shop offered vegans products from every area of the store – including our very own all vegan, cruelty-free collection B. Cosmetics.
The little haven of beauty has now closed its doors, for now, but you can find all of our vegan options hanging out in the same place for the first time at here: Happy shopping vegan beauties!
Beauty Banks donation points available at Superdrug
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Superdrug announces it is working with non-profit organisation Beauty Banks, a non-profit organisation which was set up to help tackle hygiene poverty in the UK.
Whilst a hot shower with your favourite shampoo and body wash or being able to buy sanitary products each month is taken for granted by most of us, these items are often regarded as luxuries by those experiencing poverty. A recent report by In Kind Direct found that 37 per cent of the nation have had to go without hygiene or grooming essentials due to lack of funds.
Superdrug initially launched Beauty Banks drop off points in three of its Manchester stores , each of which was partnered with a local Foodbank. Following the success, drop off points have been placed in nine further stores across the country in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Frome.
In the same way Foodbanks provide food to those in need, Beauty Banks provides hygiene and personal care products. Customers are able to donate toiletries and personal care items from the Beauty Banks wish list which includes deodorant, shampoo, body wash, soap, wipes, shaving foam, razors, toothpaste and sanitary items.
New Head Office
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The business moved to its current site at 118 Beddington Lane, Croydon, in 1979. While its depot operations have long since moved to new purpose build facilities outside of London, all head office functions for stores and its online business are based there.
The new location, at Bedford Park, puts the business in the heart of Croydon and just round the corner from East Croydon mainline station. The new 50,000 sq foot building, spread over six floors, will support both the current and future growth of Superdrug’s business.
The new office will create a collaborative environment that is up to date and inspirational for the 500 colleagues based in head office. The new space is also being designed to promote working practices that support a healthy lifestyle, sustainability and the group’s CSR policies.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Business Unit Ambassador’s Conference 2018
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Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is not only something that is important to Superdrug and the UK and all AS Watson businesses across the globe have a CSR Ambassador to drive CSR across the countries that AS Watson operate in.
On 24th and 25th May 2018, Superdrug hosted the European CSR Ambassador’s Conference at ZSL London Zoo.
The bi-annual event, previously hosted in the Netherlands, brought together representatives from across Europe to celebrate the achievements of the previous years and discuss future opportunities to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Guest speakers from Superdrug’s charity partner, Marie Curie, AS Watson Global Charity Partner, Operation Smile and global Health and Beauty supplier, L’Oreal showed the importance of partnerships in delivering the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
As well as the CSR Ambassador’s, the event was attended by Malina Ngai, Group Chief Operating Officer, Sebastien Pivet, Group CSR Director, Chris Lindsay, Group People Director (Europe) and Directors from European businesses.
The event was a huge success and demonstrated the passion and commitment across AS Watson to deliver on our customer and colleague expectations and show that AS Watson are More Than Just a Business.
People Management Awards for Best L&D Initiative
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We are award winners! We’re very proud to say that the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personal Development) recognised and awarded Superdrug with ‘The Best Learning and Development’ award at the 2016 CIPD People Management Awards chosen by a panel of expert judges.
We’ll continue to strive to maximise the potential of our employees through the best learning and development programmes possible, including out ‘Aspire’ programmes.
International Women’s Day
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We believe that every day we celebrate women in Superdrug, but every year pull all that into one place when we celebrate International Women’s Day.
In 2019 we asked customers and colleagues across the country to get involved and we held a fantastic panel event in Croydon where we explored the issues women in work face today. The event was hosted by AJ Odudu, TV Presenter and Brand Ambassador and featured Dr. Pixie McKenna, Clemmie Telford, Creative Director and blogger at ‘Mother of all lists’, and Jennie Scott, founder of ‘Mother’s Meeting’.
This event also highlighted our work with Modern Muse. We are a founder partner of Modern Muse which aims to inspire and encourage the next generation of female business leaders and entrepreneurs. The online platform showcases the career paths of women of all professional levels across all sectors. We believe that our brand is perfectly placed to inspire girls to reach high when it comes to their education and career and are proud to be involved.
And because we pride ourselves on being an inclusive place to work and shop, we always celebrate International Men’s Day too.
Diversity Leaders
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In 2019, the Financial Times produced a Leaders in Diversity list, to highlight the top 700 European companies that are taking a successful approach towards promoting all types of diversity. This includes areas such as gender balance, openness to all forms of sexual orientation, disability as well as an ethnic and social mix that reflects wider society.
We are delighted to share that Superdrug ranked at 52nd overall on the list which also means we are the 5th best retailer!
This is an incredible achievement and something we are absolutely delighted about.
We’re really proud of the work our Inclusion and Diversity networks do for the business, reinforcing the fact that “Everyone Matters”. It proves that the steps we’re taking for Inclusion & Diversity are the right ones and although we’re very proud of how far we’ve come, we know there’s still more to do.
You can check out the entire list by clicking here.
Superdrug @Pride 2018
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Hundreds of thousands of people were set to descend on events across the country for summer’s 2018 Pride festival celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Superdrug and Lynx collaborated to join in the fun at events in Brighton, London, Manchester and Croydon. The partnership with Lynx comes as Superdrug celebrated the launch of its ‘Beauty Without Bias’ campaign which aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the beauty industry.
Superdrug also worked with vlogger and beauty influencer SalihCikikcioglu, 24, (Salihsworld on YouTube and Instagram), to produce a series of mini-documentaries exploring issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.Created for Superdrug by The River Group, the five mini-documentaries went live on SuperdrugLoves YouTube channel in March, with the final going live this month. The series follows Salih as he chats to three men who love to experiment with makeup and finds out more about the growing acceptance of men wearing makeup and those who have paved the way. This is followed by documentaries exploring issues such as LGBTQ+ body image, trans role models, safer sex and finding support in the community.
Simon Comins, Superdrug Commercial Director said; “We have always been a great supporter of Pride and this year we are delighted to be involved in a bigger and better way than ever before to celebrate Beauty Without Bias. We want to promote diversity and inclusivity in the beauty industry and Pride is another fantastic way for us to do that.”
Know your Status
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In 2018, Superdrug became the first British high street retailer to offer an HIV self testing kit on the high street, across all of its Pharmacy stores. Superdrug launched the #KnowYourStatus campaign, designed to make self testing as readily available on the UK high street, as it is in other parts of the world. Making self tests accessible is an important first step, but so too is breaking down the taboos surrounding HIV that stop people from testing in the first place.
It was a move that fulfilled Superdrug’s desire to continually offer more accessibility and choice for customers. It was also a move designed to support UNAIDS first ‘90’ target and encourage people to feel in control. Together with BioSure, Superdrug has taken a leading stance in encouraging HIV testing and breaking down misconceptions about the condition with the clear message that Knowing Your Status is the critical first step – if you don’t test, you can’t treat.
We curated the #KnowYourStatus panel event in support of National Testing Week and ahead of World AIDS Day, with the objective of breaking down barriers to HIV testing and to challenge prevailing misconceptions about HIV with a specific focus on the growing number of young people, and especially young women, being diagnosed with HIV in the UK. Superdrug in partnership with BioSure and HIV charity Mothers2Mothers brought together leading commentators across sexual health, HIV self testing and healthcare to look at why and what can be done to change this.
Targeted at media and influencers who had high engagement with young people we wanted to reach, the panel contributors included Love Island’s Dr Alex George, Alix Fox (broadcaster, journalist and sex educator) and AJ Odudu (Channel 4 Music presenter and DJ).
Retail Week Be Inspired
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We’re proud of our partnership with the Retail Week Be Inspired campaign, which aims to promote a gender balance at all levels across retail and to encourage women to fulfil their career aspirations. Our partnership allows us to offer additional learning and development to our employees at all levels, through workshops, panel events, conferences and networking programmes, as well as giving them access to some of the best names in retail. Our two Ambassadors for Be Inspired allow us to give something back to the retail community.
“I strongly believe that gender diversity in leadership roles matters, in all areas of business, but especially in health and beauty retail, where women make up around 80% of our customer base. I am delighted to be part of the Be Inspired campaign to help inspire and energise future female leaders because gender equal businesses perform better.” Jo Mackie, Customer & People Director & Be Inspired Ambassador
Autism Hour
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One in 100 people are on the autism spectrum and 64 per cent of autistic people avoid going into shops due to the noisy, busy and often unpredictable environment. Autistic people often find social situations daunting and struggle with daily interactions including filtering out sounds, sights, smells and information they encounter.
Superdrug supported The National Autistic Society’s Autism Hour for the first time on autumn of 2017. On Sunday 8th October at 11am over 600 stores turned off all background music and took simple steps to make stores a less intense and overwhelming atmosphere for those with autism.
An ordinary shopping experience can be overwhelming for those with autism. By simply turning the volume of music down and sharing information about autism with store colleagues, the store should hopefully be a more comfortable environment for autistic customers.
Healthcare services and Commitments
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We want to help customers take control of their own health. Obviously this means offering a wide range of health products and having our team of expert pharmacists available in selected stores to give customers advice, but now we offer so much more.
We now offer an optician service with a wide range of bargain and designer glasses frames for the whole family. It couldn’t be easier, simply choose new frames online, enter lens options and enter your prescription details. There are even glasses available for express delivery the next day.
Other online health services include offering an eNHS prescription service, with free delivery, and the Online Doctor service. Online Doctor takes the hassle out of visiting your doctor for common or embarrassing issues.
In stores we have our own Nurse Clinics in selected stores which offer a host of services for customers giving a convenient alternative to visiting your GP offering tests including HIV Tests and inoculations . Our Travel Clinics are a one stop shop for those travelling overseas and needing vaccinations. We even offer BOTOX for those looking for treatments they can trust in a friendly accessible environment, we’ve worked with the NHS to ensure that this service has evolved to include mental health checks.
Institute of Customer
service Top 10
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We always aim to leave a smile on our customers faces here at Superdrug. Why? Because everything we offer, we do it for you, our customer!
Providing nothing short of a brilliant experience, whether in-store or online, is vital to us so we’re always super proud when we’re told we’ve been hitting the mark! In 2018, we were recognised by The Institute of Customer Service for achieving high levels of customer service. So, what exactly do they measure? Well, they look at customer satisfaction scores, levels of trust, ease of contact, employee helpfulness, speed of response and how we handle complaints, to name a few.
So, we’re pretty chuffed we’ve been making our customers smile and leaving a lasting impression and will continue to do so for many years to come!
EHC Campaign
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In 2017, we offered you more choice and accessibility to emergency contraception by being the first high street retailer to launch a generic emergency hormonal contraceptive pill (EHC), which was available at half the price of the current branded EHC.
Our decision to offer a generic EHC at half the price of a branded contraceptive pill not only captured the media and the public’s attention but it also changed how EHC is now being priced in the UK. This has made it more accessible for you and helps you to access effective emergency contraception without having to consider compromising on quality or cost.
Superdrug supports NHS workers, with nationwide hospital care package donations
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Superdrug has supported NHS staff and vulnerable people in the community, by donating upwards of 56,500 personal care products and foodstuffs to banks and hospitals nationwide.
Superdrug announces that they are providing 14,500 essential personal care product donations to help support frontline NHS staff across the UK. Over 20 hospital wards around the country have received 50 care parcels each containing 10 products, providing everyday essentials for doctors and nursing teams. Superdrug has also donated an additional 5,000 products to the nurses working at the NHS Nightingale Field Hospital , to ensure they have the toiletries they need whilst working away from home.
Superdrug has listened to workers on the frontline, and responded with parcels tailored to their needs at this time. With many staying away from their loved ones in temporary accommodation, or needing a thorough shower after shifts, the care parcels include everyday essentials including Superdrug own brand shower gel and haircare, oral care products and body care. In addition, many have reported suffering with damaged skin on face and hands after wearing tight PPE for long shifts and regular handwashing. To help care for damaged skin, Superdrug has included multi-use heavy-duty, unfragranced moisturisers within each of the parcels.
Superdrug is also proud to support charity partner Beauty Banks, by donating a further 5,200 units of Superdrug own brand heavy duty moisturising products to their Helping Hands campaign, which will then be distributed to NHS staff on the frontline across the country.
Superdrug is pleased to be continuing to support their charity partner Marie Curie, with 1,400 pamper packages being sent to 8 hospices across the country, to support the nurses careering for the vulnerable during this challenging time.
In addition, a partnership with a London foodbank has enabled Superdrug to donate over 30,000 essential food products, to help support people in need within the community.
Simon Comins, Commercial Director at Superdrug, says: ‘We’re so pleased to be able to support our NHS and other key frontline workers with care parcels, at a time when they are working so hard to help keep the country safe. Sending wellness parcels is just a small thing that we can do to support the NHS and other key workers. We’d like to thank all of our NHS staff, carers and keyworkers around the country for the incredible jobs they do each day, to keep us all safe.’
Superdrug announces removal of
all plastic applicators in tampons
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This week, Superdrug is proud to announce that it has removed all plastic applicators from own brand tampons, and launched it’s first own brand range of organic menstrual products. The health and beauty retailer has joined forces with environmental activist Ella Daish to continue to offer customers more environmentally friendly alternatives.
Recent studies have found that globally 45 billion menstrual1 products are disposed of yearly and shockingly sanitary products are the fifth most common plastic to be found on Europe’s beaches. It’s clear that period plastic is an ongoing issue, with Mintel finding that ‘concerns over the environmental impact of disposable plastic products are growing’ (Mintel, Feminine Hygiene and Sanitary Protection UK, February 2020).
With over 200,000 tonnes of sanitary product material believed to end up in UK landfill every year2, the discontinuation of own brand plastic tampon applicators at Superdrug will save over 418kg of plastic each year, equivalent to 418 bags of sugar. Instead, Superdrug’s own brand tampons either contain cardboard applicators, or are non-applicator. Superdrug is proud to lead the way and be the first health and beauty retailer to discontinue plastic applicators within its own brand sanitary products.
In addition, Superdrug is pleased to reveal their first own brand range of organic menstrual products, Luna, Made with organic cotton and plant-based plastics, the range keeps you and the planet happy during your period. The Luna range includes two towels, day and night, and one liner for everyday use.
The new range uses only ethical and sustainably sourced elements. The cotton topsheet on the towels and liners are certified organic cotton to meet the Global Organic Textiles Standard, while the absorbent core uses materials obtained from PEFC3 certified wood, rather than a synthetic polymer, ensuring that the range uses material sourced from sustainable managed forests. The Luna packaging is also ethically made – the wrappers and backsheets use renewable plant based packaging, and the boxes and paper used Forest Stewardship Council certified wood.
Environmental Activist and founder of #EndPeriodPlastic, Ella Daish, says: “It is fantastic that Superdrug have listened to the campaign and responded by not only stopping the production of their plastic applicators, but also developing and launching their own eco-range! Period products are the fifth most common item found polluting Europe’s beaches and contain up to 90% plastic, it is crucial that retailers make changes like this to stop unnecessary plastic at source. I’m thrilled that Superdrug have taken these progressive steps and hope to see other manufacturers move forward in this way.”
Superdrug’s Head of Own Brand, Quality and Technical, Sarah Jenkins, says: “At Superdrug, we are proud to champion sustainable initiatives and continue to make responsible choices. Ella’s tireless campaign to help end period plastic is inspirational, and we have been working with her over the past year to help bring about this change at Superdrug.” Superdrug continues to explore new ways to be sustainable in own brand products and will be offering more eco-friendly alternatives where possible in the future.
1. Tampon Disposal & Other Period Habits Impact The Environment In Some Scary Ways. Bustle.com.
2. The women taking the plastic out of periods. The Guardian.
3. Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification