The supermarket’s management has internally expressed a desire to become ‘better than Boots’, and is looking to introduce more upmarket beauty brands to stores.
It will roll out a ‘beauty services’ retail concept to at least 70 stores by 2012, with a view to creating a business that generates £15m turnover in its first year, Marketing has learned.
Tesco also plans to build a ‘credible beauty offer’ online to complement the store range.
The brand has kicked off a recruitment drive to support the venture, seeking buying and brand managers, as well as a ‘project leader’.
While Tesco already caters for everyday health and beauty purchases, Neil Saunders, consulting director at Verdict Research, said that prestige brands such as Clarins or Clinique would offer a fast-growing new market for the UK’s biggest retailer.
However, he warned that such brands may not be keen to be sold in supermarkets. ‘They could well have an issue with being seen in Tesco; it’s a bit too mass-market,’ added Saunders.
Tesco was unavailable for comment as Marketing went to press.
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