Holland & Barrett debuts new experience-led store format in former Wilko

Holland & Barrett has launched its first experience store, featuring the brand’s first wellbeing studio where customers can take part in a range of activities including yoga and pilates lessons.

The 3,710sq ft site, which opened last week on Cardiff’s Queens Street, marks the health and wellness retailer’s largest ever store, housing its latest range of products and brand-first immersive experiences.

It also features a cushion wall, a “be strong for life” window campaign, and a “mission island,” designed for customers to explore personalised wellness solutions

The site, which was created in partnership with creative agency Syn, also offers health checks and blood testing for shoppers, as well as an in-store H&B&Me pod to help customers learn their biological age and discover healthy habits to support their long-term health and wellbeing.

The new shop comes under Holland & Barrett’s £70m investment into transforming stores and serves as a step towards a blueprint for its future retail strategy, according to the health food giant.

Holland & Barrett store design manager Richard Fisher said “We’ve partnered with Syn to embrace a fresh creative vision which has played out in Cardiff’s pioneering experience store design.

“At H&B we are committed to redefining the wellness shopping experience, fostering a sense of community and customer connection.”

Back in October, Holland & Barrett unveiled plans to open up to 50 new stores in the UK in 2025 as it ramped up its expansion plans.

The targeted store expansion includes standalone stores, new formats and instore concessions with its retail partners, according to The Grocer.

In December, the retailer opened two new Oxford Street stores at 385 Oxford Street near Bond Street station and 146/148 Oxford Street.

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