Superdrug considers selling optical goods

Owned by the retailing giant Kingfisher, Superdrug has 700 stores, though any optical offer is expected to go through the store's website. The new optical service, expected to be introduced shortly, could also include selling contact lenses via the internet. The retail business has 4.5 million customers each week, and was bought by Kingfisher in 1987. optician understands that a new division called e-Kingfisher is driving the project forward. Superdrug's parent company has calculated that by 2004 online consumer spending in its key European markets will be &\#163;11bn, and could produce a sales opportunity of around &\#163;1.5bn annually by 2004/5. It is aiming to use its brands - including the Superdrug name - to launch new retail projects across Europe. 'Superdrug.com' will have a phased launch between now and October, and the company has entered into an agreement with Freeserve to sell its products online. Although a Superdrug spokeswoman said the group had no definite plans to enter optics, its website said its online optical shop was 'coming soon'.