Savers (UK retailer)

For the multinational thrift store chain, see Savers.

Savers Health and Beauty Limited
Formerly
  • Sourcepole Limited (1987–1988)
  • Savers Drug Stores Limited (1988–1990)
  • Savers Drugstores plc (1990–1996)[1]
Company typeSubsidiary of A.S. Watson Group
IndustryRetail
Founded1988 (1988)
HeadquartersDunstable, Luton England
Key people
Dominic Lai (Group Managing Director)
Doug Winchester (Managing Director)
ProductsHealth & Beauty Products
OwnerA.S. Watson Group
ParentCK Hutchison Holdings
Websitesavers.co.uk

Savers Health and Beauty Limited, trading as Savers, is a discount chain of more than 500 stores, owned by AS Watson (Health & Beauty UK) Ltd, which is part of the A.S. Watson Group.[2][a] It is a value retailer selling a variety of health, beauty, household goods, medicines and fragrances.[4]

History

The company gradually expanded throughout the 1990s before acquiring the 100-strong Supersave chain of drugstores from GHEA. The company grew to 176 stores before being sold to A.S. Watson, the retail and manufacturing arm of CK Hutchison Holdings, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, in July 2000.[5]

Subsequently, A.S. Watson acquired Kruidvat BV, the owner of the chain Superdrug, in 2002.[6] Following this, many Savers stores were converted to the Superdrug format, though some later reverted to the Savers brand.[7][8]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst Savers stores remained open, store footfall fell by 60% during lockdown, with the company receiving £2.3 million from the Government's coronavirus job retention scheme.[9] Between 2022 and 2023, new stores were opened, however the number of company employees reduced, resulting in increased annual profits.[10] By early 2025 the company had 500 stores, with plans to open over 30 more stores in the next year, with expansion focused in the south east of Britain.[11][12]

The company is based in Dunstable, Bedfordshire;[13] with the main office building doubling as one of A.S. Watson's large UK distribution centres serving Savers, Superdrug and The Perfume Shop.[14] The company's registered office is Hutchinson House, Battersea, London.[15]

Notes

  1. ^ AS Watson (Health & Beauty UK) Limited was formerly known as Watson's Personal Care Stores (UK) Limited from 2000 to 2001, Watson's Personal Care Stores (UK) Holdings Limited from 2001 to 2003, and A.S. Watson (Health & Beauty UK) Limited from 2003 to 2024.[3]

References

  1. ^ "SAVERS HEALTH AND BEAUTY LIMITED overview - Find and update company information – GOV.UK". Companies House. 4 December 1987. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Superdrug Stores plc persons with significant control - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  3. ^ "AS Watson (Health & Beauty UK) Limited overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. 8 August 2000. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Savers' Newcastle store opening helps add to £55m turnover increase". chroniclelive.co.uk. 9 July 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  5. ^ "A.S. Watson announces 221.9 million recommended cash offer for shares of UK specialist perfume retailer Merchant Retail". www.aswatson.com. 24 May 2005. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  6. ^ "AS Watson man at helm laid foundation on Kruidvat deal". scmp.com. 30 August 2002. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Superdrug and Savers plan 80 new stores in 2020". thegrocer.co.uk. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Second Superdrug in Scottish Borders to convert to Savers". thegrocer.co.uk. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  9. ^ Farrell, Steve. "Superdrug and Savers accounts reveal impact of lockdowns". The Grocer. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  10. ^ Wales, Bethany (8 July 2024). "Savers sees profit jump after cutting hundreds of jobs". City AM. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  11. ^ "Savers to roll out 30 new UK stores - Retail Gazette". 29 January 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  12. ^ Booth, Kenneth (27 January 2025). "Savers Unveils Plans for 32 New Stores in 2025: Full List of Target Locations". BDC Magazine. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  13. ^ "Working at Savers Health and Beauty | Great Place to Work® UK". www.greatplacetowork.co.uk. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  14. ^ Barber, Lynsey (12 January 2026). "Is global health and beauty retailer AS Watson Group planning an IPO?". cosmeticsbusiness.com. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  15. ^ "Savers Health and Beauty Limited overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  • Savers website
  • A.S. Watson site
  • Media related to Savers (UK retailer) at Wikimedia Commons
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