Latest news with #Korean-inspired
Fashion Network
2 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Superdrug opens first permanent beauty playground, 29 more planned soon
Superdrug has announced the launch of 30 new 'Beauty Playgrounds' across the UK as it invests in more experiential features for its physical stores. The first one has opened this week at London's Westfield Stratford with the other 29 opening in Superdrug's top destination stores by August, including prime locations like Manchester Trafford Centre, Glasgow Braehead and Cardiff St David's. The retailer said the Beauty Playground concept comes with the mission of 'Beauty is our Duty' and 'goes far beyond a traditional shopping experience, acting as a hub of beauty discovery, where people can explore must-have brands, access beauty services, receive expert advice, and create content while they shop'. The launch also supports the acceleration of Superdrug's O+O (Offline plus Online) strategy, 'which aims to deliver a market-leading, integrated experience wherever and whenever customers choose to shop'. So what will Beauty Playground customers find? The stores have 'Try Me Tables' where visitors can try out the products; interactive fixtures showing off new and exclusive brands; social stations complete with ring lights for people to create beauty content; and brand ambassadors offering personalised guidance and demonstrations. The company is working with 'a string of innovative new and exclusive brands', including the mood-matching fragrance and bodycare brand Daise, award-winning natural skin and hair solutions brand Delihicious, and the Korean-inspired Smuuti that's something 0f a Tik Tok hit. Superdrug is clearly tapping into a trend for immersive pop-ups, concept stores and hybrid retail spaces that tend to be less permanent and more niche. But it's taking it to a very wide audience. It said it 'aims to meet ongoing customer desire with a retail experience that is permanently available and accessible to all areas of the country'. Of course, the concept also builds on the success of the retailer's annual beauty festival, Superdrug Presents. CCO Simon Comins said: 'The beauty shopper is crying out for immersive beauty experiences, but often they find that what they encounter is either temporary or not keeping pace with the latest innovations the industry has to offer. 'With Beauty Playground, we're reimagining what a joyful and innovative beauty experience could and should be, whilst offering a space where customers can discover, learn, experiment, create, and connect with brands and services that meet their unique needs.'
Fashion Network
2 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Superdrug opens first permanent beauty playground, 29 more planned soon
Superdrug has announced the launch of 30 new 'Beauty Playgrounds' across the UK as it invests in more experiential features for its physical stores. The first one has opened this week at London's Westfield Stratford with the other 29 opening in Superdrug's top destination stores by August, including prime locations like Manchester Trafford Centre, Glasgow Braehead and Cardiff St David's. The retailer said the Beauty Playground concept comes with the mission of 'Beauty is our Duty' and 'goes far beyond a traditional shopping experience, acting as a hub of beauty discovery, where people can explore must-have brands, access beauty services, receive expert advice, and create content while they shop'. The launch also supports the acceleration of Superdrug's O+O (Offline plus Online) strategy, 'which aims to deliver a market-leading, integrated experience wherever and whenever customers choose to shop'. So what will Beauty Playground customers find? The stores have 'Try Me Tables' where visitors can try out the products; interactive fixtures showing off new and exclusive brands; social stations complete with ring lights for people to create beauty content; and brand ambassadors offering personalised guidance and demonstrations. The company is working with 'a string of innovative new and exclusive brands', including the mood-matching fragrance and bodycare brand Daise, award-winning natural skin and hair solutions brand Delihicious, and the Korean-inspired Smuuti that's something 0f a Tik Tok hit. Superdrug is clearly tapping into a trend for immersive pop-ups, concept stores and hybrid retail spaces that tend to be less permanent and more niche. But it's taking it to a very wide audience. It said it 'aims to meet ongoing customer desire with a retail experience that is permanently available and accessible to all areas of the country'. Of course, the concept also builds on the success of the retailer's annual beauty festival, Superdrug Presents. CCO Simon Comins said: 'The beauty shopper is crying out for immersive beauty experiences, but often they find that what they encounter is either temporary or not keeping pace with the latest innovations the industry has to offer. 'With Beauty Playground, we're reimagining what a joyful and innovative beauty experience could and should be, whilst offering a space where customers can discover, learn, experiment, create, and connect with brands and services that meet their unique needs.'
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Superdrug is launching new Beauty Playgrounds in 30 stores
The first playground opened at its flagship store in Westfield Stratford today, to be followed by 30 more around the country, launching in the next three months, where shoppers can make the most of: 'Try Me Tables' for playful product discovery Interactive displays showcasing new and exclusive brands Social content stations with ring lights for beauty lovers and creators On-hand experts delivering personalised advice and demos Simon Comins, Superdrug's chief commercial officer, says: 'The beauty shopper is crying out for immersive beauty experiences, but often they find that what they encounter is either temporary or not keeping pace with the latest innovations the industry has to offer. "With Beauty Playground, we're reimagining what a joyful and innovative beauty experience could and should be, whilst offering a space where customers can discover, learn, experiment, create, and connect with brands and services that meet their unique needs. "But most of all, at Superdrug we believe beauty should be fun, so we can't wait to welcome customers to their nearest Beauty Playground store, where they can experience and enjoy Superdrug like never before.' The next batch of Beauty Playgrounds to launch will include Manchester Trafford Centre, Glasgow Braehead and Cardiff St Davids. Like beauty news? Here's more: Superdrug is partnering with new brands, including the mood-matching fragrance and body care brand Daise, the award-winning natural skin and hair solution Delihicious and the Korean-inspired and TikTok-famous Smuuti. Daise co-founder Jaimee Lupton says: 'Our partnership with Superdrug is incredibly valuable in helping to bring our next-generation brands to life, through bespoke retail experiences. "We see this as an exciting extension of the in-store experience for the beauty-savvy shopper, and it's something we're thrilled to be part of.' The concept builds on the success of the retailer's annual beauty festival, Superdrug Presents.
South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Superdrug is launching new Beauty Playgrounds in 30 stores
The first playground opened at its flagship store in Westfield Stratford today, to be followed by 30 more around the country, launching in the next three months, where shoppers can make the most of: Simon Comins, Superdrug's chief commercial officer, says: 'The beauty shopper is crying out for immersive beauty experiences, but often they find that what they encounter is either temporary or not keeping pace with the latest innovations the industry has to offer. "With Beauty Playground, we're reimagining what a joyful and innovative beauty experience could and should be, whilst offering a space where customers can discover, learn, experiment, create, and connect with brands and services that meet their unique needs. "But most of all, at Superdrug we believe beauty should be fun, so we can't wait to welcome customers to their nearest Beauty Playground store, where they can experience and enjoy Superdrug like never before.' The next batch of Beauty Playgrounds to launch will include Manchester Trafford Centre, Glasgow Braehead and Cardiff St Davids. Like beauty news? Here's more: Superdrug is partnering with new brands, including the mood-matching fragrance and body care brand Daise, the award-winning natural skin and hair solution Delihicious and the Korean-inspired and TikTok-famous Smuuti. Daise co-founder Jaimee Lupton says: 'Our partnership with Superdrug is incredibly valuable in helping to bring our next-generation brands to life, through bespoke retail experiences. "We see this as an exciting extension of the in-store experience for the beauty-savvy shopper, and it's something we're thrilled to be part of.' The concept builds on the success of the retailer's annual beauty festival, Superdrug Presents.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Store expansion, earnings recovery keep Mynews on analysts' radar
KUALA LUMPUR: Analysts remain upbeat on the long-term prospects of Mynews Holdings Bhd, anchored by the consistent performance of its core Mynews brand and a gradual recovery expected in its CU Mart business. Despite softer-than-expected first-half earnings, research houses such as RHB Research and CIMB Securities are maintaining their 'Buy' recommendations, reflecting optimism about the company's ongoing turnaround and retail expansion plans. In the first half of FY2025 (1H FY2025), Mynews added 54 new outlets, representing an 8.7 per cent year-on-year growth, bringing its total store count to 676. This includes 495 Mynews stores (+24), 154 CU Mart outlets (+23), 20 WHSmith stores (unchanged), and 7 Maru Coffee outlets (+7). For the full year, the group plans to open 80 to 100 new outlets, with the majority under the Mynews banner. Analysts believe the flagship brand will continue to be a key earnings stabiliser, offsetting CU's short-term drag on performance. Mynews reported a core net profit of RM7 million for the six months ended April 30, 2025, up 61.3 per cent year-on-year. However, results fell short of expectations, meeting only 28 per cent of RHB's and 31 per cent of consensus full-year forecasts. The earnings miss was largely attributed to the slower-than-expected recovery in CU, its Korean-inspired convenience store chain. Revenue for 1H FY2025 rose 7.8 per cent year-on-year to RM418.4 million, driven by the opening of 38 stores and improved in-store sales performance, underpinned by a refreshed product mix and more efficient inventory management. Gross profit margin (GPM) improved by 1 percentage point to 38.4 per cent, reflecting enhanced wastage control, a better product assortment, and increased contributions from CU, which offers higher margins. Quarter-on-quarter, Q2 FY2025 revenue slipped 6.2 per cent to RM202.6 million, due to seasonal factors such as the Ramadan fasting period and February's shorter operating month. Core earnings fell 25.4 per cent to RM3 million, as revenue moderated and the group's food processing centre (FPC) posted a marginal RM0.4 million loss versus a RM1.1 million profit in the previous quarter. Nonetheless, GPM rose 2.3 percentage points, aided by reduced promotional activity. RHB Research remains optimistic about Mynews' recovery trajectory, underpinned by strong same-store sales growth (SSSG), expected in the low- to mid-single-digit range, and continued expansion of the Mynews store network. Increased sales volume is also expected to strengthen supplier bargaining power, support further GPM improvements, and enhance utilisation at the FPC. RHB projects CU to reach breakeven in 2025, supported by improved product curation focused on high-performing SKUs and tighter control over wastage. Reflecting a more conservative recovery timeline for CU, the research house has revised its FY2025 to FY2027 earnings forecasts downward by 23 per cent, 19 per cent, and 18 per cent, respectively, and reduced its target price to 80 sen (from 86 sen), still offering 51 per cent upside from current levels. The new TP includes a 2 per cent ESG premium and implies a 22.3x FY2026 forward P/E, aligning with the group's pre-pandemic valuation average. Meanwhile, CIMB Securities also expects a stronger quarter-on-quarter performance in 3Q FY2025, as consumer demand rebounds following the Ramadan period. CIMB similarly trimmed its EPS forecasts by 23 to 25 per cent for FY2025–2027 and lowered its target price to 73 sen. Despite the downward revisions, it maintains a 'Buy' rating, pointing to Mynews' sustained return to profitability in FY2024 and its continued earnings recovery momentum. Both research houses caution that risks to their outlook include further delays in CU's breakeven timeline, subdued consumer sentiment, and potential increases in operating costs. However, given the group's ongoing expansion, improving fundamentals, and recovering profitability, analysts believe Mynews remains well-positioned for long-term growth.
