BANANAPHARMA
A banana face powder championed by reality TV star Kim Kardashian helped profits rocket at Superdrug last year. They soared 41% to £80.4million as the high street pharmacy achieved a 30% share of the cosmetic market for the first time.
Customers “continued to be influenced by celebrities”, the firm said. Superdrug has opened 23 new stores in the last year and now employs 13,500 in 789 shops in the UK and Ireland. And online sales have shot up 60%. Chief Peter Macnab said: “Our strategy remains to offer customers everyday accessible health and beauty.” Superdrug’s parent firm AS Watson is owned by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-Shing, said to be the 18th richest person in the world.