Superdrug opened the doors to a brand-new store in Bedford Interchange on Friday 18th October. The new 6,000 sq ft retail space has created 25 new jobs for the local community and focuses on making a positive environmental and social impact through its store design, construction and operations. The new opening is an evolution of the ‘more sustainable store’ concept introduced with Superdrug’s Peterborough store which opened in 2021.
The Bedford Interchange opening is part of Superdrug’s ‘More Sustainable Store Project,’ which aims to build, maintain and operate stores with reduced environmental impacts. Superdrug is committed to running stores with maximum energy efficiency using renewable energy and responsible building materials. The retailer also pledges to support customers to shop more consciously through their extensive Own Brand ranges commitment to recycled packaging and vegan and cruelty free products.
Superdrug is also committed to supporting team members’ wellbeing and providing them with the best tools to do their job. From financial support through Wagestream, a programme enabling colleagues to feel more in control of their finances, to healthcare support with Workplace Digicare+, giving team members access to a virtual GP, annual health checks and nutritional consultations. Mental Health is a key focus for the brand with mental health awareness sessions scheduled during the fit out of the new store for construction colleagues, as Superdrug recognise that this population works away from home frequently, which can have an impact on their mental health. The Superdrug Store Team Management have also undertaken Mental Health training as well as the whole team partaking in upskilling around Sustainability at Superdrug, employee wellbeing initiatives and benefits they can access.
In addition to the core Superdrug store standards of purchasing 100 percent green electricity, reduced LED lighting and using recycled IT equipment, the Bedford store’s new features also include the following:
- Reduced plastic fixtures, including the reduction of skincare carcasses on shelves
- Building Management System (BMS) being installed which is connected to energy saving heating and lighting solutions
- New signage graphic skins for the illuminated light boxes in stores made from 100 percent recycled coated fabrics (using recycled yarns)
- Principle contractors utilised where possible to reduce emissions
- New more Efficient HVAC units have been installed which are high energy efficiency with HVAC controls to ensure they are set to standard temperatures which supports in reducing energy usage
- Increase in products made from recycled materials including:
- Trialing in store customer baskets which are 95 percent recycled content
- Recycling bins made from 100 percent recycled plastic
- 100 percent recycled acrylic for skincare backdrop
- Fragrance cubes made from 100 percent recycled materials
- Electronic till receipts are rolling out nationwide
- A commitment to a bio-diversity partnership whereby the retailer has planted 5,000 new trees in celebration of this store opening
Customers visiting the new store can choose from a wide range of health and beauty products offering sustainability commitments, including Superdrug’s popular own brand ranges which are not only great value but have great values as well. Superdrug work with their manufacturers to ensure own brands such as B., Naturally radiant, Vitamin E, Fruity and Luna all feature sustainable credentials, for example the entire B. skincare range incorporates sustainably sourced palm oil and in terms of the paper and card-based products, 92 percent of the bulk paper used comes from sustainable sources. Superdrug is also a proud leader in vegan beauty, stocking the biggest range on the high street. Leading brands with similar pledges, such as Palmer’s Weleda and Wild Earth will also be on offer.
The new Bedford Interchange store also features its very own Beauty Studio area where customers can access professional treatments at affordable prices. Within Beauty Studio, customers will have access to threading, waxing nail and piercing services.
The Bedford store will also join Superdrug’s rally to raise money for the retailer’s charity partner, Marie Curie. So far, the partnership has raised over £12.5million with over £1million raised this year. The new store will be supporting with charity fundraising activations in store, as well as offering customers the option to take part in the Marie Curie Pennies campaign, whereby shoppers can top up their shop to a round number and donate the extra pennies directly to Marie Curie.
Bedford Interchange will also host a Beauty Banks collection point, which allows shoppers to donate products to a local charity to help make ‘hygiene poverty’ history. Beauty Banks supports people living in poverty by providing personal care products and hygiene essentials to those who cannot afford to be clean. The movement is about dignity, self-confidence and mental-wellbeing, and all products collected will be taken to a charity within the Bedford area.
Customers will also be able to read more about Sustainability at Superdrug by scanning instore QR codes or visiting Superdrug.com/dgfs for further information.
Nigel Duxbury, Property Director at Superdrug, said “We are incredibly proud to announce the opening of our new Bedford Interchange store, where the environmental and social impact of the store has been the focus of its development, construction and design from conception to reality. We’re confident we are listening and working with our customers to continually improve our sustainability credentials, and this is reflected within the Bedford Interchange store. The team at Superdrug look forward to expanding on these conscious changes and implementing them in further stores nationwide.”
