Superdrug is overhauling its high street healthcare proposition by investing £1m in a new programme to “better serve the nation’s healthcare needs”.
The retailer’s ‘Healthcare Ambassador’ initiative has been launched to meet the growing demand for more immediate access to health expertise. It also reflects the NHS’s focus on its ‘Prevention Programme’, which encourages people to take action through supported self-management.
The new programme will see dedicated members of Superdrug’s staff being trained across various healthcare categories, including Vitamins, Gastro, Medicated Hair and Medicated Skincare. The ‘Healthcare Ambassadors’ will be stationed in relevant aisles across 51 stores, reaching 75 by the end of the year, offering personalised advice, support and product recommendations to the public.
Simon Comins, Superdrug’s Chief Commercial Officer, commented: “The launch of our £1m Healthcare Ambassador programme reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting the nation’s health and wellbeing.
“As high street retailers face unprecedented challenges, we believe that our ability to innovate and evolve is key to staying relevant and providing real value to our customers. By placing healthcare expertise at the heart of our high street stores, we are responding directly to the demand for accessible, immediate and personalised healthcare guidance, empowering customers to make informed decisions about their health.
“This new programme represents a significant step forward in re-shaping what a high street healthcare retailer can and should be and reinforces our belief in the ongoing success of our healthcare offering in the heart of local communities across the UK.”
NAM Implications:
- Pushing all the healthcare buttons.
- Plus staff upskilling to match.
- Truly ‘a significant step forward in re-shaping what a high street healthcare retailer can and should be’.
- Difficult to appreciate that a mere 59 years ago, Superdrug opened its first ‘discount chemist shop’ in Putney..
- (Wise to keep an eye on retailers that enter the market via the back door…)
