This October, the Superdrug Open House will return once again in a virtual live pitch event, with a view to uncover the best upcoming health and beauty brands, bringing them to customers across the country at an accessible price. The Open House event will give businesses from across the globe an opportunity to meet with the senior commercial team at Superdrug, pitch their brands and products, and learn more about working with the retailer in order to potentially secure a listing on Superdrug.com.
Simon Comins, Commercial Director at Superdrug says, “There is so much untapped innovation across the health and beauty market, both globally and locally here in the UK. Superdrug Open House is a great forum for us to discover brands that we otherwise might not have come across. In a post-covid market, Open House LIVE gives new potential suppliers the opportunity to meet informally with our talented commercial team and showcase their brand offering, receive feedback and ultimately secure an online listing.”
Superdrug has worked to identify key areas of importance that are a priority to them as a retailer and their customers, such as innovation and inclusivity. Simon adds, “Our customers are at the heart of all of our decisions, so it is important that when we are considering which new brands and products to introduce, that we are listening to them to ensure we continue to provide products that meet their exact needs.”
This year, the Open House event will have a specific focus on health and beauty brands that can demonstrate that they offer innovation through ingredients, are truly inclusive in their offering, operate responsibly as a brand, provide service-led solutions, or tap into emerging local or global markets.
Michael Henry, Healthcare Director at Superdrug says, “In our goal to always provide our customers with the best products and services, it is important to continuously be searching for the latest developments in healthcare. Open House is a great way to engage with new brands and even small start-ups, to expand our offering of accessible products and services and be at the forefront of bringing health innovation to the high street.”
As well as an online retail listing with Superdrug, successful brands found through Open House will gain access to bespoke marketing support, expert advice from the commercial buying teams and additional PR and social profiling to build brand awareness within the UK market. This year, entries will open from the 19th October and brands are able to submit their applications until the 31st of October. Shortlisted brands will be invited to attend a live virtual pitch with a Superdrug expert panel in November, with successful entries to be announced in early 2021.
The event is open to new suppliers only, not existing AS Watson suppliers, and brands are invited to apply by emailing superdrugopenhouse@thisispegasus.co.uk with more information about them, their website and current marketing position/listing status. All prospective brands will be asked to complete a few questions about their proposition and then appointments will be made for those who have been successful in gaining a pitch slot.
