Superdrug lands its first three stores in Southern Ireland

London (23 April 2006)

Superdrug, the UK's second largest beauty and health retailer owned by the AS Watson group, today (Sunday, 23 April) confirms its first three stores in Southern Ireland. The retailer announced ambitions to move into Southern Ireland as part of its new store expansion plan back in January and has already identified its first three stores in Omni Park, Talaght and Wexford. The stores are expected to open in late May.

These stores will bring up to 50 new jobs and 10,000 sq ft of the latest beauty & health must-haves to Southern Ireland from cosmetics to condoms and jewellery to J-Lo's latest fragrance. Superdrug is the UK's best value beauty & health high street retailer famous for successfully lobbying the UK Government to reduce the VAT on condoms so customers in Southern Ireland can expect to see the same fabulous prices, responsible campaigns and fashion-led beauty & health must-haves in the Emerald Isle.

The retailer will open at least 35 new stores in the UK this year as part of its £14.6 million investment programme and quest to bring a Superdrug store to every UK high street and beyond. Up to ten stores could be opened in Southern Ireland this year which would represent a 2 million euro investment.

Alan Johnson, Superdrug's retail director says; "We're confident that we can bring customers in Southern Ireland their most fashionable beauty & health store. From the latest fragrances first and exclusively to must-have healthcare products all at fantastic prices; we can't wait to welcome our first customers through the doors in Southern Ireland."

In May 2005 the AS Watson group confirmed the potential for 1000 Superdrug stores in the UK. The AS Watson group operates over 7,100 retail stores running from health and beauty, luxury perfumeries and cosmetics to food, electronics, fine wine and airport retail arms. The group opens a new store every hour.

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For further information please contact Zaria Pinchbeck on 0207 896 3121 or 07802 837975.

Editor's notes:

  • Superdrug is the United Kingdom's second-largest Health & Beauty retail chain, attracting more than seven million customers to its stores during the Christmas season alone. The successful Superdrug formula is attributed to its commitment in maintaining an extensive range of its own well-recognised and high quality brands. Superdrug currently operates over 700 stores in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  • Superdrug is one of the health & beauty retail brands from the A.S. Watson Group (ASW) family – the world's largest health & beauty retailer and the largest perfumeries & cosmetics retailer. With a history dating back to 1828, ASW has evolved into an international retail and manufacturing business with operations in 34markets worldwide.

  • AS Watson has a network of over 7,100 retail stores globally with store in over 1,800 cities. AS Watson currently has over 90,000 employees and serves over 25 million customers a week

    Zaria Pinchbeck
    ZPR Ltd
    44 207 837 4317
    44 1423 565533
    Mob: + 44 7802 837975