The owner of Superdrug has announced it will be opening 30 new stores in the UK, creating around 600 new jobs.
AS Watson, which owns several UK high street chains, will also be opening 45 new branches of Savers, employing around 450 people, and 13 new branches of the Perfume Shop, employing 78 people.
The announcement comes just after the company released 2016 results showing pre-tax profits increased 41% from the previous year.
It attributed its increase in revenues to the opening of 23 new Superdrug branches and growth in like-for-like in-store sales, which were up 7.8% on the previous year.
Superdrug’s healthcare division grew by 12% during 2016. AS Watson said this was partly driven by growth of its Online Doctor service, which allows customers to consult online with a doctor for around 20 different medical issues and arrange prescription collection or delivery.
“We have had a strong year and are pleased with the company’s performance,” Peter Macnab, chief executive of AS Watson Health & Beauty UK, said of Superdrug’s recent sales figures.
“We believe the service offered in our stores is key and we continue to invest into helping our colleagues offer great customer service.”
Superdrug was unable to comment at this stage on how many of the additional 600 new jobs in Superdrug stores will be for pharmacy staff.
