Is-store sustainability in drug stores

On the Retail Enviroments site published by POPAI Hungary’s mother organisation Shop! HQ there is a publication about the health and wellness retailer’s new store concept.

The Holland & Barrett story

Established in 1870, Holland & Barrett is owned by the Letter One Retail Group (L1 Retail) and currently operates more than 1,600 stores across 16 countries like Netherlands, Malta, China and india. The chain, which started in the UK and expanded with acquisitions and franchise partners, divides its selection into 4 large areas: Vitamins & Supplement, Sports Nutrition, Natural Beauty, Food & Drink.

In total they offer more than 9,000 skus across all of our ranges, including branded and private label products. Their ‘Natural Health Academy’extensive specialist training program is officially recognised by the UK Government’s ‘Education Development International’ programme.

Holland & Barrett stores vary in size averaging at 105 squaremeter with smaller standard shops selling our core traditional products across the supplements, fruit, nuts and seeds categories. Larger stores have a more extensive range of health foods, including frozen, chilled and sports nutrition alongside a wide range of natural beauty products. Customers can touch, feel and interact with the products. That’s why they’ve been introducing new store features like the Pick n Mix stations with dried fruit, snacks and seeds, the Tea Bar, where customers can purchase their favourite infusion and the popular Oil and Vinegar station.

„More” means more

Holland & Barrett “More” stores are the largest stores in the portfolio at around 510 sq m. More stores are designed to take the experiential element of the store proposition to the next level, giving their customers access to the widest selection of health food and natural beauty products on the high street.

The More stores introduced new Deli Counter, offering a wide selection of olives and sundried tomatoes along with much more. The Natural Beauty area is also much larger, with a huge range of make-up, cosmetics and haircare completely free from parabens, SLS and Microbeads. Customers are also able to make their own products personalised for them at the Make Your Own’ counters. the More stores have a huge range of vegan and vegetarian-friendly foods, as well as wheat-free, dairy-free and gluten-free products covering all of the main Free From categories defined in legislation, from gluten and dairy free through to nut, egg and fish allergies. In addition each More store includes a Sports Nutrition area where trained associates can measure customers’ Body Mass Index, hydration levels and fat percentage.

Tuned to a pandemic

Because of the COVID-19  Holland & Barrett store has included social distancing features to help keep colleagues and customers safe, with the installation of shielding screens at each counter, alongside antibacterial hand gels for colleagues and customers to use.

The store has implemented new technology to help customer shop safely and conveniently, including a new BOPIS (buy online pick u pin store) service.

Shoppers at Holland & Barrett can now build their shopping basket while they queue outside the store – only entering the shop to pay and pick up their pre-packed order.

Customers queuing outside busier branches of the health and wellbeing store, where numbers that can enter are currently limited as as result of Covid-19 restrictions, can use the Mercaux app, handed to them on a tablet by a member of staff, to browse for products, ask for information, and create a basket. The basket is then transferred to staff inside the shop they are queuing at. When the customer enters the shops they only need to pay and pick up items that a member of staff has already put into a bag for them.

Assisted sales and omnichannel services also include tablets that staff can use to call up an endless aisle of products for customers they are advising in-store. Staff can go through an pre-loaded interview process to find out what products are best for the customers’ needs, recommending products available in that store, from another store or online.

Environmentally friendly store

Holland & Barrett has opened a new store in Angel Islington, London, with a new store format. Relocated from its previous location of 31 Upper Street to 21-22 Upper Street, the store now consists of two units with an expanded footprint .With the growing popularity of products such as Manuka Honey, a dedicated honey bay offers everything from MGO Manuka to unique craft honeys from across the globe.

Sustainability has been a focus, with the business reviewing everything from shelving and shopfitting to lighting, which has been redesigned to be more efficient, reduce energy consumption, and cut carbon emissions. The store enables customers to top up on everyday food essentials at the new zero-waste refill station, while free water refills will also be available for plastic-conscious shoppers in-store.