Superdrug is growing its stores — and its teams. Here's how to join them

Superdrug's supersized Watford store is the latest sign of a retailer investing in bricks and mortar. For jobseekers, that expansion translates into something more immediate: vacancies.

The health and beauty chain has confirmed it is expanding its store at Harlequin Watford from 8,400 sq ft to 11,503 sq ft — a 37% increase achieved by taking on adjacent retail space at the Hertfordshire shopping destination.

The enlarged store will carry extended cosmetics, skincare, healthcare, fragrance and wellness ranges, alongside a Beauty Studio offering treatments and piercing services.

"We're excited to be extending the store in Harlequin Watford," said Clare Jennings, Property Director at Superdrug. "This investment reflects our commitment to bricks and mortar retail" — an investment she confirmed will create new local employment opportunities.

It is part of a wider revival at the centre, which is owned and operated by SGS UK Retail and has attracted £16.7 million in tenant investment over the past 24 months, including a 154% expansion by Goldsmiths. "Harlequin is a prime example of active, intelligent leasing done right, where occupiers welcome success and visitors feel understood," said Robert Jewell, Managing Director of Asset Management at Pradera.

Bigger stores mean bigger teams

Every square foot of new retail space needs people behind it — advisors on the shop floor, qualified beauty therapists and piercers in the Beauty Studio, pharmacy colleagues, and the assistant managers and store managers who run the operation.

At the time of writing, Superdrug lists more than 190 roles on myGwork, plus around 60 apprenticeships and an internship — spanning retail management, pharmacy, beauty and head office functions across the UK.

Browse Superdrug opportunities on myGwork here →

An employer worth joining

Growth alone doesn't make a good employer. What matters to LGBTQ+ jobseekers is what happens once you're through the door — and Superdrug has built a substantial inclusion infrastructure.

The retailer joined Stonewall in 2023 and is recognised as a Champion Proud Employer. Its Pride Network works to ensure "LGBTQIA+ team members can bring their full selves to work," according to network lead Wayne, and partners with external organisations including Switchboard to connect colleagues with community support.

That network sits alongside five others:

• Gender Equality Network — covering menopause and menstrual health, sexual harassment, domestic abuse, men's mental health, and more.
• Harmony Network — covering race and religion. Signatories to the Halo Code, opposing hair discrimination, and to the Race at Work Charter
• Disability Network — Disability Confident Level 2 employer and signatory to the Valuable 500
• Age Network — supporting colleagues from 16 to 88 in all life stages.
• Access All Areas Network – supporting social mobility including apprenticeships, care-experienced people, and ex-offenders.

Routes in, whatever your starting point

Superdrug's apprenticeship programme is rated "Good" by Ofsted and has seen more than 5,500 completions. Its Life Skills Programme — covering digital literacy, financial management and wellbeing — earned an "Outstanding" rating.

The retailer also works with charities including the Care Leavers Covenant, Working Chance and HMP Bronzefield to open routes into work for people facing barriers to employment. For anyone whose CV doesn't follow a straight line, that matters.

See Superdrug's early careers and apprenticeship opportunities →

The takeaway

Watford is one store. But it's a useful signal: a retailer expanding its physical footprint is a retailer hiring. If you're looking for a role in retail, beauty or pharmacy — at an employer that has done the work on LGBTQ+ inclusion rather than just the marketing — this is a good moment to look.

Superdrug is a myGwork partner. Explore their open roles, apprenticeships and inclusive employer profile on myGwork.