Superdrug becomes first high street health and beauty retailer to launch online marketplace

Superdrug has announced the upcoming launch of Superdrug Marketplace, a new platform, which will see hundreds of brands, from premium to start-ups, able to partner with Superdrug to offer their products through the service for the first time.

The platform is set to launch in September this year, with brands being recruited now to lead the Marketplace launch later this year. It will also be seamlessly integrated into the existing Superdrug.com website, providing customers with a smooth journey for purchasing products from both established brands and exciting new sellers.

The retailer hopes that their “best in market” Marketplace technical solution will allow brands without the infrastructure for a national retail listing to partner with Superdrug for the first time and bring its customers trending beauty favourites faster than ever before.

As well as beauty brands, the retailer also has its eye on the biggest wellness trends, with everything from wearables to health testing being considered as the move makes way for more trend-led brands to secure a listing.

As well as announcing the launch, Superdrug is also calling for forward-thinking brands who may have previously dismissed the possibility of a listing to get in touch to discuss featuring on Marketplace as soon as possible.

Customer, marketing and online director Matt Walburn, who is leading the development of Marketplace at Superdrug commented: “The Superdrug marketplace will be a vital step for our business as we look to strengthen further our role in H&B retail and start to build into new associated categories.

“We’ve been looking at ways to bring innovative and growing brands into our business more quickly and in the appropriate way to test consumer reaction. This is a crucial next step in bolstering our online and offline strategy; marketplace inventory will eventually be available to purchase virtually in store as well as online.”