Superdrug to roll out cut-price advanced skincare clinics nationwide

Retailer Superdrug is set to roll out 50 in-store beauty clinics by the end of 2013. Superdrug, which is Britain's second biggest health and beauty retailer after Boots, has partnered with a new advanced skincare group called Pro Skin Clinics and plans to open affordable skincare clinics across the country. The first launched in March in Superdrug's High Street Kensington, London, branch and was quickly followed by a second in its Oxford Street store. A further four clinics are due to open in its most recently refurbished stores by the end of June. Pro Skin Clinics said it aims to make advanced skincare affordable. Treatment prices range from £49 for laser hair removal to £149 per area for dermal fillers and anti wrinkle injections. The clinics will offer treatments for the most common skin concerns including acne, wrinkles, hair removal, sun damage, pigmentation, stretch marks and cellulite. Pro Skin director Dom Perks said offering these services on the high street will significantly change the beauty services market, making these treatments more accessible for consumers. However, he added: 'There is no point being everywhere on the high street or affordable if your customers don't have the requisite level of trust in your services. That's why we adhere to the highest standards in training and equipment.' In-store clinics are the latest step in Superdrug's move into the beauty services market. The retailer already has 120 brow bars, four medi-spa clinics and four nail bars. Superdrug is the latest retailer to announce ambitious plans to bring beauty services to the mass market. A year ago, Tesco said it plans to open 70 in-store salons, while department stores such as John Lewis and Debenhams have also pledged to invest more into in-store treatments this year. Meanwhile Superdrug's biggest rival Boots has just begun a partnership with spa chain Champneys, which is likely to see it roll out several in-store spas this year. The Superdrug and Pro Skin roll-out could also rival existing high street beauty clinic groups such as Destination Skin, which bought the Renew Medica group last year and now has 23 sites. Destination Skin usually charges £196 per area for anti wrinkle injections. Molly Hanson-Steel, chairman of the Cosmetic Treatments and Injectables Association, commented: 'There's a massive profit margin with botox anyway as it's a low cost treatment. This will bring down the cost of botox to make it more accessible. A price battle is healthy for the market.'